Health Should Be an Executive’s #1 New Year’s Resolution—Here’s Why

With the new year underway, many conversations around the office will turn to personal goals, new year resolutions, and discussions around what matters in our lives.

More than a talking point, a resolution is a tool for reflection. It allows you to assess where you’re at, reorient your intentions, and take clearer action in pursuing a new goal. And there’s a reason so many resolutions revolve around health: it’s the foundation that affects so many other areas of our lives.

But what does this have to do with executives in particular???

The Pitfalls of the Executive Lifestyle

Many executives live pretty sedentary lifestyles due to the nature of their work.?In the Rippe Health Assessment Study of Senior Executives, 73% of participants led a low-exercise lifestyle, raising their risk of diabetes, heart disease, hormonal imbalances, and many other potentially life-threatening conditions.

On top of that, 80 of the 200 participants were obese. Many had a higher waist circumference and elevated cholesterol and blood pressure—the precursors of a heart attack coronary in many cases.

The concerns aren’t just physical but also mental.?According to findings from Mayo Clinic, executives average 24% less sleep per night while working 23% more hours per day than the average worker. This adds up to a less-than-ideal work/life balance.

A lack of apparent symptoms isn’t always an indicator of perfect health. And when you couple the daily stress of C-level positions with these findings, the risks are worth even closer attention.?

The Performance of Your Team

Your decisions impact your employees at every level, directly or indirectly. With so many people looking to you for guidance, you need to be focused and healthy to lead successfully.?

It’s important to note that staying healthy involves more than making time for the gym or choosing a salad over a fast food run. A more even work/life balance can improve your mental health and overall mood, giving you the brain space to be a better decision-maker.

Essentially, effective leadership makes an effective team. By prioritizing your mental and physical health, you prioritize productivity across your organization.

The Growth of Your Business

When Steve Jobs announced his indefinite medical leave,?Apple stocks dropped by 6% in New York and 9% in Frankfurt, Germany—two major worldwide financial hubs.?

This is an extreme case, but it shows the ripple effect an executive’s health can have. A C-level professional is the face of the business itself. When that face looks ill, stakeholders, investors, and reporters might begin to doubt the stability and decision-making prowess of the organization it represents.

Make Your Health a Higher Priority With Advica Health

Your health isn’t far from your company’s health. Self-improvement as your New Year’s resolution is a good starting point, but you need a plan to follow and tools to track your progress. Advica Health is here to support you with preventative and proactive healthcare services. We offer personalized nurse navigation and a wide network of specialists to give you more control over your well-being.?

Book a call today to take your health journey beyond a New Year’s resolution.