Healthy Living or Succesful Living: Which Matters More?

A problem that often occurs in modern life is that many people ignore their health in order to pursue success, both in their careers and personal lives. They often work non-stop, sacrificing rest time, healthy eating and physical activity. In fact, health is the main foundation for achieving long-term success. Health is more important than success because without a healthy body, a person will not be able to enjoy the achievements they have achieved or even maintain their success. Therefore, maintaining a balance between health and ambition is a wise step that needs to be prioritized.

Success Supporting Health Access. Success, especially financial, can provide better access to health services, a healthy lifestyle, and other facilities that support health. Without success, a person may have difficulty getting quality medical care or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Achieving Success Provides Psychological Satisfaction. Many people feel their life has meaning when they achieve goals or success. This can provide emotional satisfaction and motivation, which indirectly also has an impact on mental health. Without success, a person may feel frustrated or lose their sense of purpose, which can also affect health. Success Can Guarantee Long-Term Prosperity. Success is often tied to economic and social stability that provides long-term security. This stability allows a person to plan and organize their life better, including in terms of maintaining health. Without success, a person's life may be full of stress, which can actually worsen health.

Steve Jobs (founder of Apple) is known for working non-stop to build the largest technology company in the world. Even though he experienced serious health problems, such as pancreatic cancer, he continued to focus on innovation and achievement. The success he achieved has changed the world of technology and influenced billions of people.
Elon Musk, who is often criticized for his intense work style, prioritizes success in businesses such as Tesla and SpaceX. Although he was known to work up to 120 hours a week, his success not only benefited himself but also provided financial security for his children and thousands of employees.

Health is the Foundation for Achieving Success
Good health provides energy, focus and stamina to work and achieve success. On the other hand, without health, a person will have difficulty working optimally, even if they have the skills or opportunities.  
 Success is Meaningless Without Health
 What good is material or professional success if one cannot enjoy it due to poor health? Poor health can reduce quality of life even if someone reaches the peak of their career.  Health Affects Emotional Well-Being and Social Relationships
Good health, both physical and mental, is the key to happiness and harmonious relationships. People who focus too much on success often neglect their mental and physical health, which ultimately damages relationships with family, friends or colleagues.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries chose to temporarily shut down their economies to protect public health. Although this measure causes huge economic losses, the government considers the health of citizens to be more important in the long term.  
Many workers in industries with high hours, such as technology and finance, experience burnout or stress-related illnesses. An example is the story of Arianna Huffington (founder of the *Huffington Post*), who once collapsed from exhaustion while building her success. After the incident, he focused on a healthy lifestyle, realizing that success is meaningless without health.

Health is the main foundation in human life. Without good health, success, whether in the form of career, wealth or influence, will lose its value because it cannot be enjoyed fully. Physical and mental health provides the ability to work, be creative and achieve life goals. Cases like those of Steve Jobs and Naomi Osaka show that when health is neglected in the pursuit of success, the result is often regret and a reduced quality of life.
Life is a journey, not just a destination. In this journey, health is the main asset that allows a person to enjoy achievements, have meaningful relationships, and contribute to society. By placing health above all else, the success achieved will become more meaningful and sustainable.