Investing in yourself: Practical tips for a healthier, richer life with Dr. Noah Levine

 

Here are three reasons why you should listen to this episode:

1. Understand the powerful connection between financial well-being and your physical health, and how to disrupt that cycle.
2. Learn practical strategies for building resilience, managing stress, and maintaining balance in a fast-paced world.
3. Gain expert advice on preparing for retirement—emotionally, physically, and financially—so you can enjoy a purposeful and fulfilling next chapter.

Resources

• CIBC's "Smart Advice" Podcast and Website - Website | Apple Podcast | Spotify
• Visit CIBC for more Smart Advice
• Dr. Noah Levine: Cleveland Clinic Profile
• Invest in your health by following Canada’s 24-Hour Movement Guidelines
• Read the CIBC Ambitions Index for 2025

Episode Highlights

[00:16] Redefining Financial Well-being in a Changing World

• Canadians must rethink and redefine the meaning of “wealth” in the modern world. Nowadays, there is more to it than money.
• Health, energy, peace of mind and financial well-being are now core to the definition of wealth. 
• Wealth now also implies having physical vitality, emotional clarity and strong relationships on top of financial stability.
• Dr. Levine explains how financial stress impacts physical health. Canadians often underestimate how much stress about money affects their day-to-day.

[03:11] Dr. Noah: “Our financial wellness is so closely connected to our overall well-being. Financial stress can have impacts on a number of areas of our health, one of those is sleep.”

[05:47] Basics of Health and Well-being

• Dr. Levine encourages starting with simple, science-backed habits that build a healthy life.
• He breaks down the core areas: balanced nutrition, regular movement, and quality sleep.
• Prioritizing relationships also play a major role in long-term well-being.
• These foundations are essential for building resilience, performance, and financial well-being over time.

[09:43] The PERMA Model of Well-being

• Well-being isn’t just the absence of illness—it’s about living with meaning and intention.
• Dr. Levine introduces the PERMA model: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement.
• Fulfilling each component of the PERMA model enhances our quality of life.
• Focusing on these elements helps people feel more fulfilled and aligned with their values.

[12:21] Building Resilience and Coping with Stress

• Resilience can also mean adapting to stress and unpredictability rather than trying to remove it entirely from our lives.
• Dr. Levine shares “micro skills” like pausing, walking, or using mindfulness to manage stress in real time.
• He introduces the flexibility mindset: a belief that you can face challenges with optimism and control.

[16:06] Dr. Noah: “The flexibility mindset is basically a conviction that no matter what happens, I'm going to find a way to deal with this.”

• This mindset helps people recover faster and stay grounded during uncertainty.

[17:47] Employer Support for Employee Well-being

• Dr. Levine shares how employers can support employee health through smart, strategic interventions.
• He highlights flu clinics, healthy scheduling, and wellness programs as proactive health tools.
• In today’s strained healthcare system, employers can fill critical gaps in mental and physical care.

[23:28] Preparing for Retirement

• Retirement is a new life stage that requires emotional, physical, and cognitive preparation.
• Dr. Levine outlines how physical activity, sleep, and mental stimulation support long-term health.
• Social connection prevents isolation and helps retirees maintain happiness and mental sharpness.
• Finding purpose and setting new goals after work creates a fulfilling retirement experience.

[28:25] Elevating Financial Well-being Through Intentional Living

• Small actions can lead to major life transformation — similar to how financial investments can grow to large sums over time.

[28:59] Dr. Noah: “I don't really think it matters where you start. I think what matters is making a commitment to yourself and taking that first step.”