What Does Optimum Health Have to do With Living the RichLife?

I read an interesting article while back about an 80-year-old man who ran a 26-mile marathon side-by-side with his granddaughter. (San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, June 1, 2008; Fred Peirce and granddaughter, Catherine Heider) I can tell you that kind of thing impresses me. I love to see retirees who are doing what it takes to invest in optimum health. Can you imagine the sense of satisfaction this man got when he crossed that finish line?
Unfortunately, Fred is among the minority, not just for his age group, but for Americans in general. In the mad race to gain success, most people relegate the need for good health to the background. On their list of priorities for the day, maintaining a healthy body is not usually at the top.
Poor habits such as lack of sleep, lack of exercise, eating too much processed foods (junk foods), stress and anxiety, no breaks or times of refreshing, all work together to rob your body of its health and vitality. That pattern cannot go on for an extended period of time without resulting in severe consequences.
Sadly enough this list of poor habits has become almost standard fare for the highly-driven professional. This is the person who is so focused on building a business, or striving to climb that corporate ladder, she fails to become a good steward of her health. The body is not only neglected, but often abused.
To quote my good friend Rick Almand : “Take care of your primary asset – your physical health. Without your health how can you enjoy all the rest of what you have accomplished and accumulated?”
Taking care of your health is not something that can be postponed until a later time. Every day that you ignore this precious resource brings you one day closer to losing everything. Is it worth it? I don’t think so.
Optimum health will never happen by accident. Just as with every other facet of living the RichLife, the activities that lead to a healthier life must be incorporated into your day in a purposeful way.
• Take the time to eat nutrient-rich foods.
• Step away from the hectic pace at least once a week and experience true rest. (Take a break quarterly for at least one week.)
• Learn how to relax during the course of the day. Learn deep-breathing exercises; incorporate them into your day.
• Take part in a regular exercise program.
Again, of what good are all your accomplishments and accumulations if you are too ill to enjoy them?
Take inventory in your own life. Are you compromising physical well-being in order to gain success, or to increase net worth? If so, what can you do today to change and to begin living the RichLife in all its fullness?