By Caroline Dabu, Managing Director, Estate & Wealth Advisory Services
For high performing individuals, financial planning is often rigorous and sophisticated – yet few apply the same intentionality to their health. As longevity becomes both a personal and economic proposition, the integration of health and wealth is no longer optional, it’s essential. I recently had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Sapna Sriram, Strategic Advisor to Seven Hills and founder of new health clinic Integra Medicine to explore how individuals can think differently about their future and how to invest more in themselves.
Caroline Dabu (CD): Dr. Sriram, thanks for spending time with us to share more about your perspectives on this topic. We often think of investing in markets or businesses – but what are the highest-return “investments” one can make when it comes to their personal healthspan?
Dr. Sapna Sriram (SS): I get asked this all the time and honestly, it’s not just one thing; it’s a set of smart habits that compound over time. First and foremost, consistent, high-quality sleep is foundational. A solid bedtime ritual and stepping away from screens before bed pay you back in energy, focus, and a stronger immune system.
Next, regular strength training is like putting money in a high-yield account for your future self. Every session you spend building or maintaining muscle safeguards your metabolism, your bone health, and helps prevent injuries as you age.
Don’t underestimate stress management, either. Even five minutes a day - whether it’s deep breathing or a quick mindfulness practice - can lower inflammation and help you perform at your best, both mentally and physically.
And finally, I can’t say enough about routine preventive screenings. Investing a bit of time and attention in annual labs or targeted checkups isn’t just proactive, it can save years of productivity and treatment down the road. Early detection really is one of the best returns on investment you can make - for both your health and your peace of mind.
So, it’s about layering these habits, not chasing the latest trend. The returns are truly remarkable when you make these practices a consistent part of your life.
CD: In your experience, how do stress, overwork and burnout affect the trajectory of one’s health – and what do you recommend to clients who have built wealth at the cost of wellness?
SS: This is such an important question. In my experience, stress, overwork, and burnout can really change the course of someone’s health - not just in the moment, but for years down the line. In the short term, people often notice things like brain fog, trouble sleeping, or just feeling more irritable and impatient. But if it goes on, it can have much deeper effects, speeding up things like cardiometabolic strain - so higher blood pressure or insulin resistance - making you more prone to getting sick, or even slowing down your recovery from everyday illnesses. There’s also a cognitive side: memory lapses or struggling to make decisions can become more common.
For clients who’ve spent years focusing on building wealth but find that wellness has taken a back seat, I usually recommend a couple of practical steps. First, actually schedule in regular “unplug” time every week - no screens, no work talk, just real downtime to let your body and mind recharge. And second, find someone to help keep you accountable, whether that’s an executive health coach, a concierge service, or even an AI tool that tracks your vitals and keeps tabs on your movement, sleep, and stress. Having that support can make a world of difference and really help restore that balance between success and well-being.
CD: There’s a lot of talk now about moving from lifespan to healthspan. What does this really mean?
SS: We are seeing a big shift in how people think about living longer. Instead of just asking, “How many years can I add to my life?” the conversation is now about, “How well can I live during those years?” That’s what the move from lifespan to healthspan is all about - maximizing the quality of life, not just the quantity.
For example, at Integra Health and across the industry, we’re seeing more emphasis on ongoing, team-based care, rather than just one-off doctor visits. There’s also a growing role for AI-backed personalization, where your wearable data, lab results, and lifestyle habits come together to help create precise, proactive health plans tailored to you.
And, it’s not just about one part of your health - integrated, whole-person models are becoming more common. That means your doctors, physical therapists, dietitians, mental health specialists, and longevity experts all working together to optimize every aspect of your well-being. In short, the shift is toward helping you live not just longer, but better.
CD: For individuals who are often juggling family, business, successful careers what are practical steps they can take today to better integrate health and wealth in the future?
SS: One of the first things I suggest is to treat your health the way you treat your financial investments. For example, setting aside even just 2 to 5 percent of your income for proactive health expenses - things like preventative services, diagnostics, or a fitness membership - can pay off big time in the long run.
I also recommend making health tracking as routine as checking your portfolio. That could means keeping an eye on your heart rate variability, sleep patterns, or strength progress, so you have a clear sense of where you stand and can spot trends early.
Having a support network also matters. Teaming up with friends, healthcare providers, or even a coach who shares your values can keep you accountable. You might even consider organizing a quarterly health challenge with colleagues to keep things engaging and motivating.
Don’t forget about preventive care - try to get your regular screenings and checkups locked in before your schedule fills up or demand goes up. And remember, wellness doesn’t have to eat up hours of your day. Even quick but effective habits - like a short HIIT workout, a few minutes of mindfulness, or a fast telehealth visit - can make a big difference without disrupting your routine.
So, really, it’s about weaving these practices into your life just like you would with your finances. That way, your health grows right alongside your wealth.
CD: Thank you so much for talking to us and sharing your insights that investing in health and wealth don’t have to be mutually exclusive. We look forward to continuing to share your insights and perspectives with Seven Hills clients on an ongoing basis.
Dr. Sriram is the Founder & CEO of Integra Health, a leading provider of integrated healthcare services, and the Founder of Circle, a membership-based platform to simplify access to whole-person care.
