Good Health Is A Sound Investment

Harriet Diamond

To succeed in business, it's essential to display quick, decisive thinking, stamina and a positive outlook

To succeed in business, it's essential to display quick, decisive thinking, stamina and a positive outlook.

Naturallysavvy.com

One investment you can always expect a good return on is good health. Tough economic times have taught us to pay more attention to our investments, and our health deserves the same scrutiny. Sound health is both a personal investment and an important business investment.

A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine measured health-related loss of productivity. For every $1 spent on medical or pharmacy costs, $2.30 is lost on productivity costs. Results from the study revealed that health-related productivity decline affects executives and managers as much or more than front-line employees.

We recognize that when we feel good, tasks seem easier. Too often, however, taking care of ourselves takes a back seat to our business priorities. That's a mistake. Good health is a business tool, and one that pays huge dividends.

Successful business professionals invest time and money developing their careers. From learning the latest technology to continuing their education to participating in industry-related activities, such actions constitute time and money well spent. Taking steps toward improving your health is investing in you.

While you don't have to commit a lot of time to make a difference, you do have to make an ongoing commitment to take care of yourself. You wouldn't ignore customer appointments, so make sure your health receives the priority that it deserves, too.

A fit body and a sharp mind support professional success. Begin by focusing on a few of the following key areas:

1. Insomnia costs more than sleep

Getting enough sleep is perhaps easier said than done but it's a critical step in your journey to healthy living. Insufficient sleep diminishes the work efficiency of even the brightest business professional. A study published in the Journal Sleep in 2009 produced some startling results. The study estimated that an individual with insomnia loses 27.6 days of productivity and 4.36 days of work per year.

Insomnia-related work absences and decreased productivity account for 76 percent of all insomnia-related expenses. Insomnia carries a high personal and professional cost. You owe it to yourself to seek help if insufficient sleep is more than an occasional complaint.

2. Eating away gains

We could probably circle the world a few times with the number of reports emphasizing the importance of eating balanced, nutritious meals. A recently published study from the New England Journal of Medicine illustrates its comparative significance.

The study revealed a decline in smoking but concluded that increasing Body Mass Index trends negated the positive effects of the smoking decline. Quitting smoking is a great feat, but the effects of healthy eating on chronic conditions, illness and overall health cannot be understated.

3. A lasting investment

To succeed in business, it's essential to display quick, decisive thinking, stamina and a positive outlook. Good health is a business tool that helps you thrive in today's challenging world. So be sure to make "you" a priority in your busy life; it really is the perfect business investment.

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