Health as Your Anchor

“It is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it.”
— Seneca, On the Shortness of Life

Lately, so many of us are feeling unsteady. When the world around us feels unpredictable your health can become your anchor—not in the hyper-optimized, performative way we often see on social media, but in a quieter way. We feel a sense of control and power when we nurture our bodies and minds through small, consistent choices.

Most of us agree that nothing else matters if you don’t have your health. The reality is that our health is more fragile than we tend to acknowledge.

According to the CDC, nearly 6 in 10 Americans live with at least one chronic disease, and the World Health Organization reports that over 40% of adults globally are grappling with conditions like obesity, diabetes, or hypertension.

Meanwhile, research shows that nearly 25% of adults don’t get the recommended amount of physical activity, and roughly 40% report poor sleep quality.

The power to shift this trajectory lies in our hands. Studies from Harvard Medical School show that even modest lifestyle changes, such as incorporating 30 minutes of exercise a day or improving sleep hygiene, can have profound effects on mental and physical health.

Many of us ARE doing the right things but our health is not improving or getting worse. The solution to discover the root cause might include running your labs or getting a full body scan…or both…but we delay on receiving these insights as well.

Why?

The Urgency of Action and Temporal Discounting

You know that song, “Fame,” from the movie Fame? I’m dating myself a bit here but my favorite lyrics are: “Fame! I’m going to live forever!”

We humans are fascinating because we actually believe that until we get sick.

Our lack of urgency lies in a psychological phenomenon called temporal discounting. Temporal discounting refers to the tendency to prioritize immediate rewards over long-term benefits. It’s why you might choose the comfort of staying on the couch today instead of going for a walk.

Our brains are wired to seek out short-term gratification, often at the expense of long-term health outcomes. This bias toward the present is a natural instinct, but it can be a double-edged sword when it comes to our well-being.

In fact, research from Harvard and the American Psychological Association shows that people tend to procrastinate on health-related decisions; despite knowing they could dramatically improve their quality of life.

As a former smoker I can confidently say it wasn’t about a lack of awareness or needing more education….it was about motivation, and about a fear of short-term discomfort over lasting change.

The Cost of Inaction is Steep

Unfortunately, this delay in taking action comes at a price. The longer you wait to address your health, the more opportunities for improvement slip away.

Health problems don’t simply disappear because you’ve chosen to ignore them. I mean, we know that. Yet…

I did it too, before starting Rêve Health. I KNEW something was very wrong with my health, and doctors had dismissed me, saying my weight gain was normal for my age. Instead of taking proactive steps, I just “dealt with it.”

Then, on March 31, 2022, I almost hemorrhaged to death. Issues don’t go away, and when we ignore them, the price could be our life.

The World Health Organization estimates that over 2.8 million deaths each year are due to physical inactivity alone, and conditions like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are rising rapidly worldwide.

Waiting to act when it comes to health can cause a cascade of negative effects: higher medical costs, more severe health conditions, and a decline in overall quality of life.

You Have the Power

The beauty of human nature is that even small, incremental changes can make a huge difference. The other beautiful thing is that the earlier we catch a problem, the better chance we can alleviate or eradicate it.

Proactive health behaviors are linked to increased well-being, lower stress levels, and even greater longevity. A study by the American Heart Association found that just 30 minutes of moderate activity per day could significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

By taking even one small step each day in honor of your health, you’re breaking free from the cycle of procrastination and taking charge of your future health.

Each glimmer of progress is empowering! Your brain begins to recognize that long-term benefits can also be rewarding in the present.

The discipline in caring for yourself teaches your body to stay grounded amidst chaos. You’re not just preventing illness or disease; you’re nurturing an inner strength that will hold you steady no matter what life throws at you.

Don’t let temporal discounting steal your future health. Start now, with the smallest decision, and keep building from there. Your future self will thank you.

How your immune system is responding (1400 x 1600 px) - 1

Author

Julie Elaine Brown, M.A.

Julie is the CEO and Co-founder of Rêve Health. She is a serial entrepreneur, accredited investor, and marketing strategist. She ran and sold a funded ecommerce wellness retreat company in 2012 and then started a strategy & transformation consultancy serving Fortune 100 clients. She has a Masters degree in Journalism from Northeastern University and a B.A. in English Literature with a Minor in Exercise Science. As a former Journalist, she is an avid researcher and reader. She enjoys hiking, biohacking, walking her dog, travel, wellness retreats, and watching sci-fi.
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Health as Your Anchor