Though others may believe that the extra money in your executive paycheck should make anyone carefree, the reality is that money may be able to buy you a new boat, but it can’t buy you the extra time to spend it there. The executive title often comes at a price: more stress. Sure, working under pressure is what executives do, but the fact is that prolonged stress can lead to physical symptoms, including headaches, high blood pressure, chest pain and sleep problems. It can also be a contributing factor in developing serious issues like ulcers, depression, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Such partial, self-administered measures as eating omega-3-rich salmon filets for their anti-inflammatory properties or stewed tomatoes in an effort to lower the risk of prostate cancer, for example, is hardly a complete preventative health plan. Professional evaluation and guidance can be needed. But there’s aproblem: executives don’t have the time to schedule that many appointments with professionals specializing in everything from physical health issues to stress management.

In order to accommodate those busy executives, some of the nation’s top hospitals have come up with the executive health program. In one day, you will be given a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a physician who will later discuss with you your results. In addition, the program also includes stress-reduction training, dietary assessment and guidance, as well as the development of a customized exercise plan. Because traveling for the sake of getting a medical check-up is not necessarily one’s idea of a vacation, many of these clinics have located these programs in more typical “vacation” spots. The Cleveland Clinic holds its program at Canyon Ranch, while one of the Mayo Clinic Executive Health program is located in Scottsdale, Ariz. St. Helena Center for Health holds its ONE Program in the Napa Valley. If you must do some work during the stay that requires more than a Blackberry, most of these programs have an individual suite or a business center with access to Internet, fax machines and other office amenities. These centers also welcome the executives’ spouses to participate in the program. Some clinics follow up months after the program.

In a time when typical doctor-patient interaction can be measured in minutes, these executive health programs are guaranteed to give you personal attention that you didn’t know existed in modern medicine. And unlike the traditional doctor’s visit, these programs’ intent is to help you achieve total well-being both through science as well as an evaluation of one’s overall lifestyle.

As a company executive, you always make sure that your organization is in a sound state, checking its financial numbers, nurturing investment value and so on. What one must not forget is that you also contribute to the state of your organization. And by taking a day to invest in yourself, you are ultimately investing in the health of your company.

Related links
Executive Health Program at the Mayo Clinic [3]

The Cleveland Clinic and Canyon Ranch Executive Health Program [4]

St. Helena Center for Health ONE Program [5]

Duke Executive Health Program [6]