Last year, I identified four areas in which we should invest in our lives, especially as leaders. The first area I identified was wisdom, which is the ability to gain knowledge, and then put it into practice. The second area where we should make an investment is into our health.

I have to admit, this is not an area of life where I excel. I often have good intentions, and sometimes, I follow through with them. Most of the time, I don’t. This is an area where I must become more focused and intentional.

Why? Because our physical health has an impact on every other area of life, and when we make our physical health a priority, the effect is almost immediate. Our minds sharpen, our strength grows, our emotions stabilize, our relationships gain strength, and our spiritual life is impacted as well. Taking the time to address this quadrant of life has a tremendous ripple effect into every other area. And frankly, that amazes me every time I stop to consider it.

But the opposite is true, too. When I either neglect my physical side, or when I work it too hard, all of those other areas suffer as well. Taking the time to invest in our health has to be a top priority.

There are at least three focus areas for the physical side of life.

Eat Well

First of all, we need to check what we put into our bodies. Our culture seems to push unwholesome foods at us that are highly processed, or filled with sugars, preservatives, or other unwholesome ingredients. Addressing this isn’t difficult. It can be as simple as shopping around the edges of the grocery store and avoiding the stuff in the aisles for the most part. In other words, fresh produce, or other foods that are closest to their original state tend to be healthiest. Will this be a little more expensive? Probably. But the impact on our bodies will be worth it.

Several years ago, one of my doctors recommended I eliminate all wheat and dairy from my diet. After some careful thought and prayer, we decided to give that a shot. The results were immediate and very significant. I lost more than 65 pounds, my blood pressure stabilized to levels low enough I could stop taking medication for it, my sleep apnea disappeared and I was able to stop using a CPAP machine. My moods changed, my energy levels increased, and much, much more.

I’m not suggesting you try that. Talk to your doctor before you do. Or do your research. But you’ll be surprised at what changes will take place when you eat healthy.

Move Around

Next, exercise is an important addition. A few years ago, I joined a gym. I use it occasionally. I must become better at using it frequently. Consistent and regular exercise has an impact on multiple areas of our lives, just as eating well does. You don’t have to become a bodybuilder and become the biggest guy flexing in the mirror at the gym. But getting your heart rate up and doing so consistently will have a pretty big impact.

You could go to the gym. Or you could go for a walk. Or you could join an exercise class, or buy a bike, or any number of things. Investing in your health means investing in your physical body.

Stress Less

Again, this is an area where I consistently have to remind myself to take a step back and take a deep breath. Life is not as complicated as I tend to make it, and I suspect you are the same. When I refuse to allow stressful things to impact me, I’m much more pleasant to be around, and it also has a chain reaction into other areas of my physical and mental health… as well as my spiritual health.

What can we do instead? Take a walk. Go watch the birds for a few moments. Turn to a familiar and favorite Bible passage to reset your mind. Pray.

Investing in our physical health can have an incredible impact on every other area of our lives. But I suspect that there are many like me who have ignored this investment for too long. It’s time to take better control of this aspect of life and invest in our health.

Question: How do you invest in your health? What things would you add to my list here? You can leave a comment by clicking here.