Executive HealthExecutive Health

Building Strengths and Building Strengths and Managing RisksManaging Risks

Kim Gibson, MDCAPT, MC, USN( ret)

“It is not the years in your life which are important, but the life in your years.”

Why devote time to this topic?

Good health is required for optimal performance– Your ultimate responsibility is to make the

best possible decisions– You can not make the best decisions

unless you are in excellent health Your current job threatens your health

– Job demands can wear down your body– Persistent, unrelenting tension can erode

your resilience and support systems

My only job in life is to stay healthy

What is the Goal?

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

We must continuously improve our function, not simply delay “inevitable” losses.

Reaching Your PotentialReaching Your Potential

Challenges

Loneliness of CommandLoneliness of Command– Myth of the infallible leader– Counterdependence– Limitations of gatekeepers– Absence of restraints– Making a difference or falling on

your sword

““The penalty of leadership is loneliness”The penalty of leadership is loneliness”

Challenges

Work demandsWork demands– Intrinsic job stress– Travel– “Role” ambiguity– Concept of gladiator vs mentor– Career demands– Executive organizational hierarchy

““There are no obstacles, only challenges”There are no obstacles, only challenges”

Challenges

Professional or personal crisisProfessional or personal crisis– Influence of hearth and home– Aging and limitations– Loss and tragedy– Concept of care– Change– Choices

““Things will never be the same again”Things will never be the same again”

Risk Factors

Adverse Consequences:Adverse Consequences:Workaholism and burnout

Isolation and loss of intimacy

Anger and depression

Substance abuse

Health care neglect (including fitness)

“Self-sabotage”

Risk Factors

food: overeating and anorexia / bulimia

tobacco: harbinger of death

alcohol: trappings of the social setting

drugs: painkillers / sedatives

Substance AbuseSubstance Abuse

Demise of MarriageDemise of Marriage

Extra - Marital AffairsExtra - Marital Affairs

Health Care NeglectHealth Care Neglect denying warning signs tolerating abuse neglecting health maintenance setting a pattern of future care

Risk FactorsSelf-SabotageSelf-Sabotage

What is the Goal?

“In order that people may be happy in their work, these three things are needed:

they must be fit for it, they must not do too much of

it,

they must have a sense of success in it.”

Good health and optimal performanceGood health and optimal performance

“EARNS”

NutritionNutrition

Stress ManagementStress Management

Exercise and EnduranceExercise and Endurance

SleepSleep

Attend to PreventionAttend to Prevention

Relaxation / ReflectionRelaxation / Reflection

SpiritualitySpirituality

Assets

Concept of endurance, flexibility & strength Impact on

– reducing disease risk and morbidity– improving performance– sharpening attention and focus– enhancing efficiency

Real men do yoga!

Physical FitnessPhysical Fitness

Health Maintenance

Principles:Principles:

Know your own bodyKnow your own body

Know your famiy historyKnow your famiy history

Avoid “risk” behaviorsAvoid “risk” behaviors

Maintain fitnessMaintain fitness

Acknowledge medical Acknowledge medical problemsproblems

Recognize warning Recognize warning signssigns

Know when to ask for Know when to ask for help help

Health MaintenancePractice:Practice:

Regular medical careRegular medical care

Follow through on Follow through on preventive servicespreventive services

Comply with therapyComply with therapy

Time for fitnessTime for fitness

ASA and calcium ASA and calcium

Cardiac risk factorsCardiac risk factors

Cancer screening:Cancer screening:

ColonColon

BreastBreast

GYNGYN

ProstateProstate

Relaxation and Reflection

An opportunity to live in the present Choose, don’t drift! Time to do everything but think Internal jogging

Avoid “Vacation Deficit Disorder”Avoid “Vacation Deficit Disorder”

Assets

Phenomenon of obesity– 61% adults are overweight or obese– Impact on disease prevalence and

management

Concept of balance, moderation and variety– Personal determination to eat less

and exercise more

Health Eating and Weight ControlHealth Eating and Weight Control

Assets

Linked to longevity Vital to creativity Easily abused Develop healthy habits

Sleep HygieneSleep Hygiene

The Prescription

Find the best mechanic. Keep track of all potential problems and

engineering flaws. Increase the maintenance schedule. Use the best replacement parts, oil, gas,

filters. Use regularly, but avoid damaging conditions

when possible.

Fight aging – treat yourself like an old and highly valued car.

Optimal workload for health and performanceUnder –

Demanding Work

Workunderload

Very demanding workload

Workoverload

Low (distress)

Optimum(eustress)

High (distress)

Healt

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nd P

erf

orm

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ce

Is stress good or bad – YES!Is stress good or bad – YES!Remember – you need to have room to Remember – you need to have room to

surgesurge

Assets

Stress Management– Self-awareness– Time management– Managing perceptions– Reflection and expression– Interdependence and support

Psychological HealthPsychological Health

Nothing reduces stress like communicationNothing reduces stress like communication

Assets

Spirituality fosters a sense of serviceSpirituality fosters a sense of service

– extends beyond the fundamentals of the command

– promotes feeling of “connectedness”– provides an opportunity to make a

difference– contributes to a greater good and

higher purpose

Spiritual VitalitySpiritual Vitality

Assets

Commitment to ideals that are not negotiable– Living by a personal credo

Focusing first on the individual and then the organization

Considering outcomes in both the present and the future

Making conscious decisions and then living with the consequences

Personal IntegrityPersonal Integrity

Character is who you are when no one is watchingCharacter is who you are when no one is watching

The Self-Reliant Executive

Build strengths Identify and manage limitations Accept and grow from mistakes/losses Develop a set of self-care “tools” for

stress management Foster personal and professional

relationships Seek balance and diversity

Strategies for Resilience and SuccessStrategies for Resilience and Success

Action Items Identify a personal physician Assess your personal “Achilles’ heel” Go for routine examinations and FOLLOW UP Limit alcohol, don’t smoke Strive for ideal body mass index - eat well Exercise everyday – aim for 30-60 minutes Sleep at least 6 hours per night Do periodic self-assessments Listen to others’ concerns