We’ve talked about a number of the sacrifices that founders make when starting a business. You’ll likely earn a lot less money than you can elsewhere. And, you’ll have a lot less time for other activities. You’ll also probably negatively impact your relationships – with your spouse / significant other, children (if any), family, and friends. But, in the end, you might be surprised to discover the biggest of the potential founder sacrifices – health.

Not to get all melodramatic or anything, but startups take a toll on the body and mind. They can cause serious health issues even in the most healthy of people. This isn’t a topic to be taken lightly and if you’re already susceptible to health issues, they can be exacerbated by the intensity of a startup.

Startups are stressful endeavors. Founders are under a great deal of pressure whether the startup is progressing positively or negatively. Founders often feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. They need to know what the right direction is to take the company, have answers to employee questions, and do a lot of the work to get there. It’s no mystery why founders are constantly stressed out. When you consider the additional pressure of finances and family obligations and you have a sense for the pain that founders often endure.

Startup stress ends up significantly impacting your life. Over time, if you’re constantly under stress it can lead to any number of medical issues. While it isn’t easy to get rid of the stress of building a business, you can work on how you handle the stress. Take some time out of your day to exercise, meditate, or even breathe deeply – all of these can help reduce some stress and help improve the functioning of your body and mind.

Of course, if you’ve built your team, as we highly suggest in The Startup Playbook, you’ll share the effort, energy and even stress that you encounter. Misery loves company because it’s easier to deal with when shared, right? Stress is inevitable in a startup, but when you have a team to help with the load and discuss what’s going on, it can be dealt with much more easily.

We aren’t doctors and we don’t know what’s right for you, but you do. Take some time to think about how you can keep yourself healthy. You’ll be more productive, available, and resilient for your teammates and your family!

Founder sacrifices – health, is just one of the topics we cover about the needs and demands of a founder in The Startup Playbook. Grab a copy to learn more about the requirements of founders, how to create a startup and how to shift the odds of success in your favor.