WELLNESS

Finding time to tend to health and well-being is a challenge for the notoriously time-starved self-employed. Throw a business trip into the mix and it’s easy to make excuses to slack off. While you may rely on a gym membership or at-home exercise equipment for your workout, there are ways you can stay fit while on the road. Here are some tips and tricks for staying in tip-top shape when you’re away from home.

Vision may be the most precious of our senses. Too bad many of us take it for granted. But we shouldn’t. By age 65, one-third of the U.S. population has some form of sight-impairing disease. And in many cases, serious eye disorders give no warning signs. Fortunately, many vision problems are preventable. This report outlines common threats to eye health and simple steps to neutralize them.

If you live long enough, chances are good you’ll develop osteoarthritis in one or more joints. An estimated 33 million Americans now have the disorder, according to the Arthritis Foundation. And the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts the number will rise to 67 million by 2030.

The next time you’re hiring, there’s a good chance you could meet an applicant with a disability. According to the 2000 Census, about 50 million Americans—about one in five people—have some form of disability. And more than two-thirds of unemployed people with a disability say they would rather work. Even if you’re not hiring, a current employee could end up with a disability as a result of an accident or a diagnosed disease. The possibility increases with the age of your workforce. Successfully integrating these staffers into your workplace will benefit you and them.

Premiums for virtually all small group health plans are based on the health history, or “experience,” of the entire group. Major illnesses, such as a heart attack, or chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, can instantly spike up a plan’s rates. As a micro-business owner, it's crucial that you begin exploring ways to implement health and wellness strategies for your employees.