The holiday season is just ahead. Every women entrepreneur is stressed to the max preparing to juggle the responsibilities of work and family. The recent added stress of Hurricane Sandy is just one more unexpected disturbance to an already crowded list of To-Dos. Yes, I'll say it out loud...when schools are closed and kids are home women's businesses suffer economically. When transportation is compromised (streets are closed, trains, buses and MBTAs are shut down), all businesses lose revenue opportunities as time is money.

Women entrepreneurs, more than men entrepreneurs, internalize their stress and endure stomach upset that can and will eventually lead to major digestive problems. 

Women spend a great deal of time learning how to operate their small business, help family and friends with their pressing issues and committing themselves to their community. But, they don't take the time to consider how their digestive tract works and what they can do to alleviate the symptoms that an overly stressed life, poor diet, and out of control lifestyle produces.

Take just five minutes to see how amazing your body is in the diagram here. Can you imagine that while you are busy building a business and running in a hundred different directions your digestive tract is taking whatever food you give it and making sure that every organ and cell in your body does it's job to give you the energy you need to keep running? It does that and more!

Your digestive tract is responsible for utilizing the fuel (food) you give it and making sure it processes it appropriately so that every other system in your body can do what it needs to do (nervous system, circulatory system, lympahtic system, muscular, bone, reproductive). From a business analogy, you can think of the food (fuel) as the money you invest in your business to make sure that all systems work appropriately (marketing, accounting, inventory, employee, leases, sales, utilities, etc.) The difference is is that your body does all the work miraculously without any intervention from you -- that is until you have neglected it for so long it has no choice but boycott.

If you have been in business long enough you know what happens when you neglect your business for even a few days - not only will their be a boycott by employees, customers, and vendors, it will be very difficult if not impossible to get the operations running smoothly again.

The solution is - if you treat your body like you treat your business it will run more efficiently and successfully and give you more energy and more years for success.

Here are 3 health strategies for a better digestion to get you through the end of the year and ready for 2013:

(1) Eat breakfast - it really is the most important meal of the day. Start your day with a glass of water. It will hydrate you and get your system working. If you do drink caffeine, limit it to 1 or 2 cups. Caffeine can wreck havoc on your stomach lining due to its acidity. Preferably, drink your caffeine with your breakfast...oatmeal is excellent and will keep you satisfied throughout the morning. My favorite is soft boiled eggs as the protein and fat will stick with you for 4 or more hours. Greek yogurt is great unless you know you have a lactose problem -- in that case even yogurt can make you feel gasy and bloated so stay away from it as you stay away from all dairy. Another great breakfast, easy to make and easy to take along for the ride is a smoothie - I like banana and berries (strawberries, blueberries) use frozen. Buy and use some organic protein powder and you are ready to go.

(2) Pack lunch - homemade food is better than restaurant food every day of the week as long as it is whole food. Tuna, chicken, turkey, tofu, beans or egg in a salad or wrap with an avocado slice or other veggies is a great lunch. It really isn't a lot of work if you plan ahead. Having something healthy to eat during the day allows you to crowd out unhealthy sugary and processed snacks. If you must eat at a restaurant, eat light. The point of the meal is most likely business so take the time you need negotiating the deal and not stuffing your face.

(3) Eat your last bite at no later than 7 p.m. Your digestive tract needs time to work and then rest and prepare for the next day's work. If you are eating right up until you go to bed, you are requiring your digestion to work late into the evening while the rest of your body is attempting to shut down for a good night's sleep. You know how you don't like to work late, well your body doesn't like overtime either. If you must eat late make it something small and easily digestible. A small smoothie works or better yet a light broth just to tide you over to the morning. Less dinner and you are more likely hungry for breakfast. That's a great plan.

It's a busy time of year and you want to be your best for work and family. Take care of yourself and your body will make sure and give you the energy and health you need to take care of the business and love ones.

And, if you need a women's health plan email me at vicki@vickidonlan.com