You’re at the top of your game when doing financial planning for your clients.  How do you fare with personal planning for yourself?

I haven’t seen any data that financial advisors are more (or less) healthy than the population at large.  That’s a pretty low bar.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity in the U.S. is almost 40%.  It affects about 93.3 million adults.  Obesity contributes to “heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer that are some of the leading causes of preventable, premature death.”

Poor diet and lack of exercise are the primary causes of obesity.

If you need more motivation to exercise, you can find it in John Medina’s book, Brain Rules.

How much exercise?

Any exercise is better than none.  Medina notes that just walking several times a week benefits your brain.  However, the “gold standard” is 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, two or three times a week.

What are the benefits?

One of the leading causes of mental disability in the elderly is stroke.  Medina cites data showing that walking just 20 minutes a day can decrease the risk of having a stroke by 57%.

Studies have also shown that exercise, when substituted for anti-depressant medication, was “beneficial immediately and over the long term.”  There was a direct correlation between the amount of exercise and the positive results.

Aerobic exercise just twice a week cuts your risk of dementia by 50% and your risk of Alzheimer’s by 60%.

I love this line in Medina’s book:  All of the evidence points in one direction:  Physical activity is cognitive candy.

Start consuming this “candy” and suggest it to your clients as well.  You will both be better off.

Resource of the week

Medina’s book, Brain Rules, has “12 principles for surviving in and thriving at work, home, and school.”  It’s an eye-opener.  I highly recommend it.