I started my journey into health for the most basic reasons.
I didn't want to drown in hospital bills later in life. I wanted to look better in the mirror. I wanted fewer insecurities when I walked into a room.
Honestly, that's how most of us begin, right? We want to look good, feel confident, and avoid pain. There's nothing wrong with that. But here's the truth: those reasons never really convinced me.
Once you hit the first milestones—lose a little weight, build some muscle, hear a few compliments—the fire starts to fade. You begin asking: Is that it?
That's when I started questioning the very idea of health.
The Trap of Living on Autopilot
Imagine this: you wake up every morning and do exactly what society tells you is "right." Go to school, get a job, buy a house, start a family, retire, and then finally "enjoy life."
It sounds simple enough.
But what if you check all the boxes and still feel empty? What if you have the car, the house, the vacations—yet a quiet voice in your head still whispers: Is this all there is?
That's because what we truly crave isn't just success—it's meaning. And meaning only comes through purpose.
"Success without purpose feels hollow. Health gives you the space to seek what truly matters."
The cruel trick is this: when you're young, you have the energy but not the perspective. As a young adult, you gain some maturity but drown in distractions—fast food, alcohol, deadlines, late nights. Family brings beautiful responsibilities but leaves little time for inner searching. By the time you retire and finally have the time, your health may no longer allow you to explore those deeper questions.
And so, once again, we fail.
Recognizing the emptiness of autopilot living naturally leads to the next question: if life's checklist isn't enough, what gives us the freedom to seek something deeper? The answer begins with time—and health is the currency that buys it.
Buying Time with Health
You can't stop aging—at least not yet. But when you invest in health, you buy time. Time is your greatest ally in the search for purpose.
Think of life as a long road trip. Purpose is the destination. Health is the fuel that ensures you reach it. Without fuel, the journey ends before you arrive.
This isn't about finding purpose directly. It's about maximizing your chances of discovering one. To do that, you need time—time that only good health can give you.
Micro-story: My uncle was a hardworking man who spent his 30s and 40s building his business empire. He always said, "I'll explore hobbies and travel after retirement." But by 62, years of smoking and stress had left him with severe lung disease. He had the money and the time, but not the health. His story isn't rare—it's the default outcome of neglecting the body.
But time alone isn't enough. You can buy extra years yet spend them clouded by fatigue, stress, and poor health choices. To truly use the time you've gained, you must start with the foundation: the body, which unlocks the mind.
Body First, Then Mind
Now let me flip the usual question: which matters more—physical health or mental health?
Most people instinctively say mental health. I get it: peace of mind is everything. But here's the uncomfortable truth—you can't take care of your mind without first taking care of your body.
Think about it. Every mental health prescription comes down to the physical:
- Sleep better
- Eat well
- Move daily
- Avoid burnout
Did you know? A Harvard School of Public Health study found that people who engaged in regular brisk walking reduced their risk of depression by 26% [1].
Another study from the American Journal of Psychiatry tracked over 33,000 adults and concluded that even one hour of exercise per week could reduce future risk of depression by 12% [2].
So if I had to pick one, I'd start with the physical. When the body is strong, the mind has the best possible chance to thrive.
"A tired body clouds the mind. A healthy body frees it."
Once the body supports the mind, something powerful happens: the noise quiets, and space opens for reflection. This doesn't guarantee purpose, but it dramatically increases the odds of finding one.
Stacking the Odds for Purpose
Will health alone give you the meaning of life? Of course not. Nothing can. But life is about probabilities.
A restless, exhausted body clouds the mind. A strong body creates space for reflection. It gives you the energy to ask bigger questions and the resilience to chase the answers.
Micro-story: Consider Anita, a 42-year-old IT professional. She started walking daily, eating balanced meals, and reducing late-night screen time. Within months, her migraines lessened, her mood stabilized, and—more surprisingly—she found herself journaling again, a hobby she had abandoned years ago. "It's not that I suddenly discovered my purpose," she told me, "but I finally had the energy to look for it."
By caring for both body and mind, you stack the odds in your favor. You prepare yourself. You give yourself the best possible shot at discovering purpose.
Even as responsibilities weigh heavily—careers, families, and daily stress—your body becomes the bridge that enables reflection, learning, and growth.
Did you know? The World Health Organization estimates that up to 80% of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented with healthier lifestyles [3]. Prevention now means freedom later.
This brings us to the heart of the matter. Health isn't simply about prevention or survival. It's about creating freedom—freedom to think, to love, to live awake. That is the real meaning of health.
The Real Meaning of Health
So the next time you remind yourself or someone else to "take care of your health," know what it really means. It's not just about avoiding disease or looking fit.
It's about giving yourself the freedom—through your body and mind—to seek purpose. To live life awake.
So move your body. Eat food that nourishes you. Laugh loud and often. Rest deeply. Share life with people you love.
Because in the end, health is not just about living longer.
It's about living awake.
✨ That's philosophy. That's health.
References with hyperlinks:
- Mammen, G., & Faulkner, G. (2013). Physical activity and the prevention of depression: A systematic review of prospective studies. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 45(5), 649-657. Available at:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24139780/
- Harvey, S. B., et al. (2018). Exercise and the prevention of depression: Results of the HUNT cohort study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 175(1), 28-36. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28969440/
- World Health Organization. (2023). Noncommunicable diseases: Key facts. Available at:https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/noncommunicable-diseases