Reinventing Wellness: Health Tips for the Busy Executive

There's a growing understanding that true success is not just about career accomplishments but also about optimal health and overall well-being. This paradigm shift in perspective from decades past means that health is being redefined as a strategic asset that enhances your ability to perform at your best, both professionally and personally. Simply put, prioritizing health is not a luxury but a necessity for long-term success and fulfillment.

Whether you’re a rising professional, a seasoned vice president, or a C-suite executive, driving a successful career makes it easy to overlook personal health. In the hustle and bustle of Chicago, it’s tempting to opt for convenient, quick, and on-the-go meals and avoid exercise — many attribute these behaviors to simply being too busy. Unfortunately, that mentality neglects your wellness and ends up shortening your life and hindering your ability to have a lasting career. 

It’s clear that as you age and progress in your profession, health-focused habits become all the more important to support your longevity. The challenge is that if you don’t initiate these habits early on, it becomes harder to course-correct. Further, the human body doesn’t stay the same throughout a lifespan, so even with a solid health regimen, you need to be able to evolve your approach to health and fitness periodically.

Adapting your lifestyle to support your well-being as you enter the later stages of your career is crucial, but where do you begin? 

Read on to discover some highly effective and adaptable steps that will help you reinvent your health and wellness habits to support your longevity and career.

Here are 9 Tips to Get Your Health Goals Back On Track

No one understands your hectic life the way you do, and conversely, no one is going to do anything about improving your health and lifespan unless you take the first step. Here are nine essential health tips for executives that are tailored to the busy Chicago lifestyle and are designed to get you on the right track and optimize wellness at any stage of life.

1. Stay Active

Regular physical activity is key to maintaining overall personal health. Incorporate exercise into your daily routine, even if it's just a brisk walk during your lunch break or a yoga session before bed. Also, consider incorporating a variety of activities, from swimming to weight lifting, to promote aerobic health, flexibility, and strength. 

Benefits:

• Improves cardiovascular health
• Reduces stress and promotes a work-life balance mentality
• Boosts mood and mental well-being while offering an energy boost
• Reduces risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension

2. Practice Mindful Eating

Pay attention to what you eat and how it affects your body. Prioritize nutrient-dense foods and be mindful about portions. Keep balanced snacks on hand and focus on eating slowly and without distractions. Aim for a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins.

Benefits:

• Optimizes digestive health and consistent energy levels
• Helps weight management and reduces the risk of obesity
• Reduces risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer

3. Learn Stress-Management Techniques

‍Chronic high stress levels can take a toll on your health. Practice stress-management techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga, to help you relax and unwind.

Benefits:

• Lowers risk of depression and anxiety
• Improves sleep quality
• Increases overall mental health and well-being

4. Get Enough Sleep

‍Quality sleep is essential for your overall health and well-being. Aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night and establish a relaxing bedtime routine for optimal sleep hygiene.

Benefits:

• Boosts memory and cognitive function
• Helps mood and emotional well-being
• Reduces risk of obesity and other chronic diseases

5. Maintain Relationships and Connections with Loved Ones

‍Prioritize strong social connections with friends, family, and colleagues. Socializing can help reduce feelings of isolation and improve your physical and mental health.

Benefits:

• Decreases feelings of loneliness and isolation
• Creates a sense of belonging and support
• Supports overall mental health and well-being

6. Seek Professional Medical Expert Help

‍If you're experiencing health issues or have concerns about your well-being, don't hesitate to seek professional medical guidance. A concierge, personalized healthcare provider in Chicago can offer care and support tailored to your specific needs.

Benefits:

• Access to personalized healthcare and support for health concerns
• Improves management of health conditions with support from a team of wellness experts
• Provides a pathway to proactively managing your health with exercise, nutrition coaching, and custom wellness strategies

7. Embrace Change

‍As you navigate the later stages of your career, be open to change. Embracing new challenges and experiences, particularly when it comes to fitness, diet, and exercise, can help you stay mentally sharp and engaged.

Benefits:

• Initiates better adaptability and resilience
• Enhances personal growth and development
• Improves mental agility and cognitive function

8. Practice Gratitude

‍Take time to appreciate the positives in your life. Gratitude can improve your overall outlook and contribute to your well-being. Having the perspective of being thankful that you’re alive and have a successful career can help keep you grounded and allow you to focus on achieving your health and fitness goals.

Benefits:

• Increased adaptability and resilience
• Enhanced personal growth and development
• Improved mental agility and cognitive function

9. Prioritize Regular Health Check-ups

‍As you age, regular health check-ups become increasingly important. While it may be difficult getting in to see a primary care physician, consider scheduling your routine visits with a concierge healthcare provider in Chicago to monitor your health and catch any potential issues early.

Benefits:

• Offers early detection of potential health issues with advanced diagnostic testing
• Improves management of chronic conditions
• Provides peace of mind knowing your health is monitored regularly
• Delivers direct and easy access to a primary care doctor
• Supplies dietary guidance and nutritional strategies

Where Chicago Professionals Find Help to Get Healthy and Fit

By incorporating these health tips into your lifestyle, you can support your well-being and continue to thrive in your career and personal life. However, as you navigate the later stages of your professional journey, finding support to guide you on the right path to reinvent your wellness strategy can be difficult. 

At SHIFT, we simplify the process by offering everything you need to optimize your well-being. We help busy Chicagoland professionals and executives at every stage of their career lives prioritize their health by developing custom-tailored fitness and nutrition plans in conjunction with round-the-clock customized healthcare. 

Our concierge physicians, who provide comprehensive, one-on-one primary care, our registered dietitians, who offer executive meal planning and nutritional guidance, and our physical therapists, who design custom workout routines and recovery strategies, all work in unison to deliver unprecedented care to help you reach your goals.