I have hay fever and it’s been particularly bad this year.

The other week, I started wheezing similar to an asthma attack and my wife woke me up and said I needed to do something about it. I said it would be fine and would sort itself out – sticking my head in the sand – but I was struggling to breathe, so we called A&E. They said the wait time was seven hours, and I had deliveries the next morning, so I didn’t go. I thought I had to be in the store. I put my health second to my work.

I’ve been to the doctor since – they were able to see me quite quickly – and they confirmed what had happened was linked to my hay fever. The pollution and pollen count have been high this year so he gave me an inhaler.

Retailers need to stop putting their personal well-being to one side for the sake of the business. Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I run a competition where you can win a weekend away from the store, and they’ll come in and look after it while you’re away. This is a fantastic idea because we need time away from work. It’s important to take that step back.

For the past 15 years, I’ve had a health check up in March, a body MOT where they check blood pressure and address any niggles I’ve built up over the year. But I think now I should be going to the doctor for this twice a year. When I went recently, my blood pressure was up and if I hadn’t gone then, it would have been missed.

As long as you’ve got a good team around you, you should be able to take a step back. What’s the worst that could happen? Don’t sweat the little things, and accept that nothing will be done 100% the way you want it every time you step away from work.

But it’s better to come back fully refreshed and revitalised than to be stuck in the shop day in day out. It’s time to put your health before your wealth.

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