How Good Health Creates Wealth and Career Growth

Wondering how good health affects your career growth?

Companies aren't investing in wellness programs out of kindness, they're doing it because healthy employees deliver higher returns. Take Johnson & Johnson as an example. Since 1995, the percentage of employees who smoke has dropped by over two-thirds. Harvard Business Review reports that these wellness efforts have saved the company a staggering $250 million in healthcare costs over the past decade.

This isn't just about savings. Johnson & Johnson's employees are healthier and happier, and that shows. The company ranks highly on Glassdoor, with 86% of employees recommending it as a workplace and a top 50 spot on the 2018 Employees' Choice Awards.

How Your Physical Health Affects Mental Performance

Wellness and success are fundamentally connected, and science backs this up. When you're unwell, your immune system activates cytokines, which fight infection and affect your emotional regulation and reasoning. The result? Poor decision-making and reduced productivity.

Let's put it simply: You don't function well when you're drained or sick. Who hasn't skipped a crucial task or missed an opportunity because they felt exhausted? If your health is compromised, your potential takes a direct hit. 

You can't excel in your day-to-day life if you don't take care of yourself. So, why do we ignore our mental, social, and physical health in the name of success? We'll blame it on false information, a $1.9 billion U.S. Motivational speaking industry, a $13 billion self-help industry, and a $3.7 trillion wellness market. 

Bad Health Advice, Good Health Advice 

Everyone wants to be successful, and there are millions of people trying to sell you success, helpful or not. A good way to rule out bad advice is to guesstimate how it will affect your health. If it's too taxing on your body and mental health., it's best to try another way. 

Phrases like I will sleep when I die, (beyond being incorrect, you will be dead when you die) digitally blast this unsustainable hustle mentality into our faces each day. It's the wrong information. 

Taking a holistic outlook on life is the right decision. Let's do away with the whole web that comes with a scarcity mindset. Practice abundance: "There is enough time for me to accomplish what will lead me to contentment and satisfaction. I choose to work smart and diligently, all while putting my physical and mental needs before the task. When I put myself first, my work truly shines."

Rich People Live Longer - But Why?

Yes, initially, it sounds crazy, but a study found that those who can afford to eat well live a vigorous eight to nine more years, all in good health. The study didn't account for generational wealth, but we can connect the dots. A longer lifespan equals more time to chase your dreams. And to have a longer life, wellness plays a huge part in getting you there!

How to Use Wellness as a Career Advantage

Forget the grind-for-success mindset. Here's a better, science-backed path to achieving more while feeling your best:

• Prioritize 7–8 hours of sleep every night

• Eat whole, nourishing foods to keep your body running efficiently.

• Decompress daily.  Journal, meditate, walk, talk, or breathe

• Work smarter, not longer

• Address stress and mental fatigue, not just physical burnout

Takeaways

If you want to be successful, you will get seven to eight hours of quality sleep, ensuring you function at peak performance each day. Eat healthy foods. Find a way to express daily frustrations, avoiding stressful emotional build-up. Tend to your mental health. Work smarter, not harder.