The Thousand Wants of Health: Why Prevention Is the Ultimate Wealth

 Dr. Barbara Bartlik on shifting priorities before illness forces the lesson

There’s a saying that strikes at the heart of human nature: “A healthy person wants a thousand things. A sick person wants only one.” For Dr. Barbara Bartlik, a leading integrative psychiatrist and wellness advocate, this isn’t just a clever adage—it’s a truth she encounters every day in her practice.

“When we’re well, we take it for granted. Our minds are busy chasing goals—careers, relationships, material success. Health often isn’t even on the list because we assume it will always be there,” Bartlik explains. But when illness strikes, priorities collapse into a single, desperate focus: getting well again. All those thousand wants—vacations, promotions, dream houses—fade in significance. Suddenly, there is only one wish left: the restoration of health.

This shift in perspective, she argues, is precisely why prevention must be a conscious, lifelong pursuit rather than an afterthought.

 

The Four Pillars of Staying Well

Research has consistently shown that maintaining health is less about drastic measures and more about adopting a consistent, balanced lifestyle. Dr. Bartlik emphasizes four core habits that have been proven to be effective in promoting health and preventing illness:

1. A Nourishing Diet – Prioritize whole foods, rich in nutrients and fiber, that reduce inflammation and strengthen the gut.

2. Regular Movement – Whether it’s traditional workouts or engaging sports like tennis, cycling, or volleyball, the goal is to make activity enjoyable and sustainable.

3. Adequate Sleep – Quality rest—seven to eight hours per night—is non-negotiable for physical recovery and emotional resilience.

4. Joy and Relaxation – Bartlik warns against overwork, noting that constant stress depletes energy and mental health. “You’re allowed to have fun,” she says. “Engage in activities that please you. It’s not indulgence; it’s medicine for the mind.”

She recounts a patient who worked 18-hour days with little time for enjoyment. “Her anxiety and depression skyrocketed. Ironically, her job performance suffered because she was running on empty. We had to rebuild her lifestyle to include downtime and joy—she’s now healthier and more effective professionally,” Bartlik shares.

A Call to Action: Don’t Wait for the Wake-Up Call

Bartlik’s message is clear: don’t wait until illness strips life down to that “one want” to start valuing your health. Prevention isn’t about restriction—it’s about protecting your ability to pursue all those other dreams.

“The greatest wealth is health,” she reminds us. “If you lose it, you would trade everything else to get it back. But why wait for that wake-up call? Invest in your health today, while you still have your thousand wants. That’s the smartest way to keep them all within reach.”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Barbara Bartlik is a renowned integrative psychiatrist with over three decades of clinical experience, specializing in the intersection of mental health, sexual health, and functional medicine. Board-certified in psychiatry and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, she is celebrated for her holistic approach to treating trauma, anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction.  As an editor of Integrative Sexual Health (a volume in Dr. Andrew Weil’s Integrative Medicine Library), Dr. Bartlik brings academic rigor to her innovative work. She integrates lifestyle medicine, nutritional strategies, and mind-body therapies into psychiatric care, helping patients achieve transformative healing.

A sought-after speaker and media contributor, she addresses audiences worldwide on topics from PTSD recovery to menopause and andropause support. Based in Manhattan, Dr. Bartlik continues to redefine mental health care for the modern age—bridging science, compassion, and whole-person wellness.