We’ve all heard sayings like, “champagne taste on a beer budget,” referring to expensive taste on things we can’t (or think we can’t) afford. The same mindset often comes to our health, we “think,” we can’t afford great health, let alone the health a richer person might have, but boy is that wrong! Millionaires in particular are often known for having greater health than some of their less fortunate counterparts, but it has nothing to do with money and everything to do with lifestyle. Rich people make wise investments, especially in health!

Millionaires (or anyone who is healthy) would argue that our health is our greatest asset. Like any financially successful person would tell you, if you want to be fiscally responsible you must protect your assets, value your investment, be particular in the present, and always plan for the future. It sounds like a lot, but if you talk to any millionaire, they will tell you, over time all these things just become the normal way of living, it doesn’t take extra money in your bank account to take care of you! You can automatically start to increase your health as easily as it is to direct deposit a portion of your paycheck into savings.

Tips from the rich and famous:

Perhaps you have heard of self-made billionaire Kim Beom-su, who doesn’t just find value in his business, but also in his health which accredits that to keeping a structured lifestyle that prioritizes health, especially sleep and movement. In a Forbes.com profile on Beom-su, he shares he goes to sleep every night around 11:30 pm and wakes up no later than 6, puts on a ball cap, grabs his earphones, and goes for a walk. “When I come back, I take a shower. Then, I come out to the living room where there are a lot of books, and choose one that catches my eye,” he says. Boem-su reads for 30 minutes, listens to music for another 30, has breakfast with his family, and off he goes running his billion-dollar business.

The former queen of daytime tv, Oprah Winfrey has always delighted in sharing her favorite things, and she’s no different when it comes to her health. While her bank accounts are overflowing, so is her commitment to talk about staying active. In a recent People.com interview, she shared she does something active every day and always hits her 10,000 steps. Oprah says, “with age comes the understanding and appreciation of your most important asset, your health,” And she’s right! Don’t wait for age to remind you to invest now.

If you think rich people know it all, you’re wrong, but they work to try too! When asked about what keeps him feeling like a million (or a billion) bucks, Bill Gates’ commitment to keep learning and reading to stay informed and gain perspectives, making personal growth a priority over perhaps even financial growth has him feeling extra wealthy.  In a recent LinkedIn post Gates says, “I was recently asked what advice I would give to young people who want to make a positive impact on the world… My advice is simple: Read a lot…” We’d do well to take the advice from this wealth guru, that if reading can help us feel better, think better, and do better then it’s best we pick up a book.

Other millionaires list these items as how they stay so healthy in mind and spirit: Drinking water constantly, going to therapy (sometimes having more than one therapist), eating veggies more than any other food group, making lists, never skipping doctors’ appointments, keep a journal, waking up early, limiting TV, and investing in quality relationships.

What all these millionaires and billionaires have in common, is that their health investments are just a normal part of their daily routine. You’d think these business moguls would be frantic all hours of the day with calls, meetings, and travel, and they are, but just as important as it is to make the next big deal, they always prioritize their greatest investment – their health. If you want to feel richer health, you must start valuing your health. Are you being responsible to protect and value your investment? Are you investing daily and committed to a healthier future? Set a goal today (rich people love setting and crushing goals) for increasing your health, for feeling richer and successful in your own mind and body. You can afford it! Before you know it, you’ll be living (and feeling) like a millionaire!

 

Mary Hoadley

Director of The Wellness Center