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Prioritizing Health: The Key to Enduring Success and Happiness
In the relentless pursuit of success and happiness, people often overlook the foundation upon which all goals rest: health. The essential pillars of a healthy life—exercise, nutritious food, regular checkups, and sleep—are frequently sacrificed in the name of productivity, ambition, and instant gratification. This is especially true in the work-obsessed U.S. culture. However, neglecting the fundamental areas of well-being only serves to undercut one’s ability to achieve aspirations and find lasting contentment. The relentless pursuit of success and happiness actually undermines achieving both. That’s not just health-coaching nonsense. It’s been validated by countless studies.
Emerging research underscores the profound connection between health and success. Studies have demonstrated that individuals who prioritize their physical and mental well-being are more likely to experience greater job satisfaction, higher income levels, and increased career advancement opportunities.
Self-Care = Success Item 1 – Exercise
Let’s start with the impact of exercise on success. It’s estimated by the U.N World Health Organization (WHO) that there are 1.4 billion adults are insufficiently active and physical inactivity is twice as bad in high-income countries, such as the U.S., than in low-income countries. And yet study after study shows that individuals who engage in regular physical activity tend to have higher earnings and are more likely to be promoted than those who don’t.
One study cited in Harvard Business Review involved approximately 200 employees from the UK and China. They participated in a 10-day study in which self-reported and objective physical activity data (via a wearable smart band device) was captured as well as self- and supervisor-reported work outcomes. They found that daily physical activity generated a package of next-day resources, called “Resource Caravans,” in people who exercised that contributed to several work-related outcomes. The day after exercising, people had:
- Resource 1 – Better quality of sleep. The degree of satisfaction with their daily sleep experience increased for people the day after exercising. Physical activity promoted protein synthesis and facilitated quality sleep as a homeostatic feedback process benefitting the body and brain.
- Resource 2 – More vigor. Energy and vitality increased the day after people exercised.
- Resource 3 – Increased task focus. Cognitive functions supporting enhanced information processing, attention, and concentration increased the day after exercising.
Indeed, a robust body of evidence links good health to improved cognitive function. Exercise has been shown to enhance memory, focus, and creativity. A meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that regular physical activity improved cognitive function, particularly in older adults.
And a study reported by the National Institutes of Health looked at actual income levels of people who exercise regularly, those who hadn’t exercised regularly before but then started to exercise regularly and those who did not exercise regularly. Here is what they found. Participants in the group with regular exercise behavior increased their income by 3.79% compared with those not exercising regularly. But participants in the group who didn’t exercise regularly before the study but then started regular exercise during the study increased their income by 13.36% compared with those not exercising regularly. The connection between exercise and increased success / income was irrefutable.
Moreover, regular physical activity was also found to stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, which can elevate mood and reduce stress. So, it not only contributes to better work outcomes but also better feelings as well.
Self-Care = Success Item 2 – Nutrition
It is probably a surprise to no one that nutritious food fuels the brain, providing the essential nutrients necessary for optimal cognitive performance. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can improve memory, attention span, and problem-solving skills. And yet people will eat junk food and fast food when they are too busy with work to eat properly.
But the research screams that eating healthier contributes directly to success. Good nutrition can significantly affect career success by influencing energy levels, focus, cognitive function, and overall well-being, leading to increased productivity, better decision-making, and a more positive professional image. All of this ultimately contributing to career advancement.
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that a healthy lifestyle improves work habits, decreases absenteeism, and increases productivity that results in employees having improved job evaluations, better retention, and opportunities for advancement and future employment. According to the CDC, “Individual employees derive economic benefits from improved health. Improved health not only reduces out-of-pocket expenses for physician office visits, medications, procedures or hospitalizations related to acute or chronic illness. It also enhances job security because employees are more productive, absent less often, and more likely to avoid short- or long-term disability.”
There are also numerous studies linking a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids to reduced risk of depression and anxiety. That leads not only better career success but also overall happiness.
Self-Care = Success Item 3 – Sleep
Extensive research indicates a strong and significant connection between quality sleep and career success. Getting enough sleep is linked to improved cognitive function, better concentration, better memory and increased potential for career advancement. That restorative time gives the brain and body the rest needed to function properly throughout the day.
Conversely, studies have found that inadequate sleep often leads to decreased productivity, impaired decision-making, and negative impacts on job performance. Poor sleep also causes mood swings, irritability, and increased stress, negatively impacting workplace relationships and team dynamics. And lack of sleep can heighten the risk of work-related accidents due to reduced alertness and impaired motor skills. All of these factors ultimately hinder career progression and negatively affect the path to success.
Sleep is essential for success and happiness. And yet, one-third of all U.S. adults fall short of getting the sleep they need. Many have sleep disorders or disturbances. Others are simply too busy to commit to healthy sleep routines. They burn the candle at both ends thinking that working longer will result in success.
Still others are disrupting the quality of their sleep due to the use of cell phones before bedtime. The light interferes with the production of melatonin, the sleep hormones produced at night that tells the mind to shut down and sleep. That means that even when getting 7-8 hours of sleep, the quality of that sleep was subpar keeping the mind from fully turning off and allowing regeneration to happen.
One study in the field of healthcare found that sleep deprivation often plays a central role in medical errors. Medical errors harm an estimated 1.2 million patients annually. While a variety of factors contribute to medical errors, those who struggle to get enough sleep also struggle with decision-making, and in a demanding field such as health care, that impediment can prove fatal. It is such a problem that research published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open referred to sleep impairment as an occupational hazard among physicians. That’s a prime example of how ignoring basic self-care actually undermines success and happiness.
The Perils of Neglecting Health
While the benefits of a healthy lifestyle are undeniable, many folks struggle to prioritize these essential habits. The demands of modern life, coupled with a culture that often glorifies overwork and burnout, leads to neglect of basic health needs.
Sleep is sacrificed for extra work hours. Convenience foods are chosen over nutritious meals. Exercise is put off in order to get more done. There is a significant price paid for those choices. It keeps success and happiness – the very things sought – at bay.
Furthermore, neglecting regular medical checkups can have serious consequences. Early detection and treatment of health issues can prevent more significant problems down the road. By skipping routine screenings and check-ins with healthcare providers, we increase our risk of developing chronic illnesses and other health complications.
Self-Care as a Catalyst for Success
To truly achieve success and happiness, it is imperative to prioritize self-care. By making time for exercise, eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep, and scheduling regular checkups, we invest in our long-term well-being. This investment pays dividends in the form of increased energy, improved focus, enhanced creativity, and greater resilience to stress.
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to become caught up in the hustle and bustle. But if the goal really is success and happiness, it’s crucial to remember that health is the essential foundation to achieving those goals. By understanding the profound impact of health on success and happiness, it is possible to make informed decisions about lifestyle choices. Prioritizing self-care and nurturing well-being is the most direct path to living a more fulfilling, successful and happy life.
Quote of the Week
“Self-care is not selfish. You cannot pour from an empty cup.” Jim Rohn
© 2024, Keren Peters-Atkinson. All rights reserved.
The post The Path to Happiness & Success, Part 3 first appeared on Monday Mornings with Madison.