Why entrepreneurs should get their blood work done
From the great outdoors to regularly getting blood tests done, SSEW’s Anju Cawthra shares how she navigates her mental and physical health
Anju Cawthra - Seasoned Singapore Expat Women
A truly ‘Seasoned’ British expat with 15 years in Singapore, Anju Cawthra is a busy girl-about-town and avid culture-vulture who as part of her job, gets stuck into all the varied experiences that our little red dot has to offer.
Running Seasoned Singapore Expat Women, an online community of over 18,000 members and one of the best ‘go-to’ resources for expats in Singapore, is an exciting and full-on job. Anju is always on the lookout and championing brilliant local businesses through a range of features on her various communication channels, so the SSEW audience is always on top of what’s new and happening in town. Anju also regularly hosts in-person events, including parties, workshops and networking socials. So how does she do it all whilst being a present Mum and keeping her health in check?
Walking in Nature
Like many of us, getting some exercise in first thing is vital to release all those nourishing happy hormones. Anju starts each day religiously with a walk, usually somewhere green or scenic, either with her husband, a friend, a client or with some banging tunes!
Getting bloods done are key
I myself have been getting my blood work done for the last 8 years since my burnout. I know that when I’m stressed and putting in the hours, my body eats up zinc and B12 like no business, so I’m always mindful of supplementing when needed and get my bloods done regularly to see if I'm deficient.
Anju shared she is actually anaemic and also prone to overworking (occupational hazard!). She goes through super tired and stressed cycles when her energy levels dip. “I went for really thorough blood tests and diet analysis at The Integrative Medical Centre by The Iron Suites. Now I make sure I eat healthily, including lots of iron-rich foods, oily fish and vitamins, and exercise regularly. And I try to let the To-Do list wait in the evenings!” says Cawthra.
Mental health tip: Be present and appreciate the small things
Anju says, “It’s very easy to be all consumed by work - after all, it’s your passion! But it’s so important to have balance. Make sure you take breaks and stop to notice the little things - there is beauty everywhere. This stops me getting carried away with the busyness and be present so I can enjoy the day.”
For more insider tips on how other entrepreneurs manage their health, check out our Wellness at Work section.
