Wealth over Well-Being: Why Always Wanting More Can Be Hazardous to Your Health
- Karen Kuykendall
- 7 hours ago
- 6 min read
Note: This article points out the problems with a lifestyle that constantly pursues more than a person needs. We will address the issue of those who work excessively, not by choice but out of necessity, in a future post.
We are a busy, industrious nation. Though we don't work as much on average as they do in some countries, such as China and India, we average more than most developed nations. We also work more overtime and get less vacation than our European counterparts. Higher productivity for us usually equals higher wages; for other countries, higher productivity often means more time off.
There's something about working harder and longer that's in our USA DNA. As most of us are descended from immigrants, that makes sense. A lot of our great-grandparents came here with little money but the opportunity to make a better life. With limited options available, they put in long hours in less than optimal conditions to attain that goal, working in those demanding jobs because they wanted the dream for themselves and their children.
They were justifiably proud of what they did; and we still seem to harbor that same feeling if we burn the candles at both end, even when we no longer need to. I'm sure I am not the only person who has groaned about how much work I've done during the week, all the while quietly patting myself on the back for accomplishing so much.
Americans seem to thrive on excess. Whatever the pursuit is, we have a hard time staying balanced. It is even more difficult these days, with thousands of influencers urging us to buy, follow the latest trend, or pursue certain goals beyond a reasonable measure. In addition, modern capitalism tends to reward going above and beyond; and with a seemingly limitless ceiling, the overly-ambitious among us spend much of their time aiming for the moon.
In striving for those heights, though, we often neglect our own well-being. Excessive time and energy spent on attaining more and more wealth can affect our physical, mental, and spiritual health in impactful ways.
Physical
The first signs of problems can often be seen in our bodies, and the markers can show up from imbalances in these areas:
Exercise: Time spent on work naturally takes time away from other pursuits. More than 80% of American jobs involve mostly sedentary activities, and only 28% of us get the recommended amount of exercise needed to stay fit.
Dining out: Whether it's fast food or a sit down restaurant, meals like these often have far more calories than needed. The hurried way in which we eat can also affect our digestive system in negative ways.
Sleep: Worry about finances can have a way of interrupting sleep patterns. Most of us don't get the recommended 7-8 hours we need to function optimally. According to The Sleep Foundation, 77% of Americans lose sleep over money at least some of the time.
Lack of relaxation: We are not made for constant activity. Neglecting time to relax and recharge can lead to chronic head, neck, and back pain, as well as increased injury risk. Constant stress can also be a main contributor to some of our most common medical emergencies, such as heart attacks and strokes.
Mental
The constant pursuit of more often leads to anxiety and depression, but life is not all roses after the goal of greater wealth has been attained, either. While those who are striving for greater affluence can be plagued with mental health issues, those who have attained their fortune are not immune and can suffer from symptoms such as:
Isolation and loneliness: The wealthy may feel misunderstood or that people are only interested in them for their money, leading to social isolation and loneliness.
Fear of loss: There can be constant fear of losing a high-value lifestyle or financial status due to economic downturns or other crises.
Perfectionism and unrealistic expectations: The pursuit of success can foster perfectionism and extreme expectations for both the wealthy and their children.
Trust issues: It can be difficult to have confidence in peoples' motives, leading to anxiety in personal and professional relationships.
Public scrutiny: Celebrities and well-known figures, even on the local level, may experience a constant, underlying fear for their physical and financial safety due to their status.
"Hedonic treadmill" effect: The pursuit of wealth can become an addiction, where achieving one financial goal leads to the pursuit of the next, creating a cycle of dissatisfaction rather than happiness.
Spiritual
The final (and frankly, central) area affected by the relentless pursuit of wealth is a person's spirituality. The accumulation of material possessions can lead to:
Unhealthy self-reliance: As we have pointed out before in some of our posts, there is no such thing as a self-made person, since all successful endeavors are the culmination of many people's efforts. Believing that you achieve your success single-handedly is a self-deception that often leads to pride and, consequently, the problems that come with it.
Lack of satisfaction: When John D. Rockefeller was asked how much money was enough, his answer was telling: "Just a little bit more!" If America's historically wealthiest person found that riches would never satisfy him, then those who follow in his footsteps probably won't find contentment either.
Emptiness inside: The mathematical genius and theologian Blaise Pascal talked about people's inner longing in the book, Pensées: “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are, though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and unchangeable object; in other words by God himself.” As Pascal knew back then and we know today, money and possessions cannot fill such a hole.
The Cure
What is the solution then, when everything in our consumer-driven culture constantly shouts that we need more? It can be challenging, but by reminding ourselves daily of a few grounding principles, we can more easily keep our balance:
Boundaries: The first step is to carve out time for other important items besides work, then stick to that schedule. In his autobiography, automotive icon Lee Iacocca stated that he put his work away on Friday evening and did not look at it again until Sunday evening. Iacocca successfully brought Chrysler back from brink of bankruptcy, all while preserving weekly time for his family and other pursuits.
Gratitude: Every day, choose a time to think of some things for which you are grateful. Set a reminder on your phone, and take a minute to truly express gratitude for all the good things in your life. Try to think of at least one new thing each day, however small.
Contentment: Learn to live with less! There is both freedom and joy in having to take care of, and worry about, fewer things. Minimalist living is a popular subject at the moment, reflecting the need many of us feel to rid ourselves of possessions that have become burdensome. An excellent introductory article on this subject can be found here.
Others: Ultimately, the pursuit of wealth can be a very selfish one. Spending your time and energy either helping or just being with others will give the kind of satisfaction and happiness that money can never buy. Serve a meal at a shelter, spend a Saturday with Habitat for Humanity, invite friends to your home, or arrange a fun outing for your family. You'll be glad you did!
Finally, I'll leave you with these words from the Apostle Paul:
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content (I Timothy 6:6-8).
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