As we look in the mirror at the bags accumulating around our eyes and the “muffin tops” that we swear were not there yesterday, we may begin to ponder the state of our health.

“Seriously, when and how did all this happen to my body? When did I last take the time to really care for myself; exercise, eat right and get enough rest? Why am I constantly exhausted? When did I last have a thorough checkup? Is that mole getting larger?”

Finding Fulfillment

As we review our calendars and our pocketbooks, we realize that though we subsidize our homes, our kids, our spouses, our cars, our friends, and our social calendars, we invest little in ourselves — our physical, mental and spiritual well being.

Of course, we want our homes to look nice, our children to be well-educated and happy, and our bank accounts and retirement funds to be as robust as possible. But at what cost? Are we fulfilled and peaceful? Do we even feel like taking that vacation or would we rather stay home and sleep?

Time & Money

According to Mintel, a global and award-winning market research firm, between 2013 and 2018, Americans spent $336 billion on leisure and entertainment, $222 billion on vacations and tourism, $662 billion on technology and communications and $93 billion on alcohol on premises (out of the home). More was spent on technology and communications, including popular consumer electronics and pay-TV services, than on personal finance, food at home, dining out, home and garden, and leisure and entertainment. (1)

This gives us a good idea of where our money and time goes.

What about healthcare expenditures? Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are responsible for 7 out of every 10 deaths and account for 75% of US health care spending. Most of these chronic diseases can be prevented. (2) 75-90% of all visits to primary care physicians are due to stress-related health problems. (3) And stress is a leading factor in several causes of death such as heart disease and cancer.

Despite the knowledge at our fingertips and these disturbing statistics, we still seem to put our health on the back burner.

Preventative Care

Preventive care, which includes healthy eating, regular exercise and avoiding tobacco, helps us maintain health, avoid or prevent worsening chronic disease, and reduce healthcare costs, yet it is underused or neglected altogether. The cost savings of investing in our personal health are broader than we think. These savings affect individuals, businesses, our communities, our children, and the overall economy.

Consider this: A trip to your healthcare provider is not as costly as you think when you weigh it against the myriad costs of a chronic illness or disability. The listening ear of a dedicated healthcare partner can be just what you need to re-evaluate and restore your vision for health. Think about an investment that can bring financial gain in the form of savings while bringing you the priceless gift of longevity and peace of mind.

1 https://www.marketingcharts.com/industries/media-and-entertainment-42841

2 Center for Disease Control and Prevention

3 America’s Leading Adult Health Problem, by Paul J. Rosch, M.D., F.A.C.P., in USA Magazine, May 1991.