Dr. Dianah Lake: Balancing Success And Self-Care

by Daron Pressley

February 3, 2024

“Women think of self-care and envision a massage or spa, but that’s just one aspect. Self-care includes financial self-care, emotional self-care, and more,” says Dr. Lake.

In the dynamic landscape of today’s business environment, businesswomen navigate a myriad of roles and obligations. Unfortunately, professional success sometimes relegates health and fitness to a secondary role. Dr. Dianah Lake, a renowned emergency medicine physician and wellness coach, understands the unique challenges that high-income earning women grapple with, the delicate balance between finances and fitness.

According to a McKinsey Health Institute Study, women will spend 25 percent more time in poor health than men. The same study says that investments addressing the women’s health gap could boost the global economy by $1 trillion annually by 2040.

Harmonizing health and fitness aspirations with professional objectives is paramount. Achieving this equilibrium is crucial for women in the workforce and instrumental in fostering improved overall well-being and career accomplishments.

Dr. Lake recently spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE and shed light on the importance of comprehensive self-care, emphasizing that it goes beyond spa days and massages. Dr. Lake passionately discusses the seven areas of self-care, including financial, emotional, spiritual, physical, recreational, and intellectual well-being.

Dr. Lake’s Transformative Journey

Opening up about her transformative journey, Dr. Lake said, “The whole transformation to fitness and self-care came from a shallow place. I was going through a divorce, dealing with a new diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD for my younger son, and mourning the recent death of my dad. Meanwhile, I was managing people in the ER, taking care of them, and my life felt like it was falling apart.” 

Dr. Lake’s struggles catalyzed her mission to empower high-achieving women facing similar challenges. 

“Women think of self-care and envision a massage or spa, but that’s just one aspect. Self-care includes financial self-care, emotional self-care, and more,” she adds.

Dr. Lake stresses the importance of recognizing that self-care is not just about physical well-being but encompasses a holistic approach to living a fulfilling life.

Suicide Rates Among Female Physicians: A Silent Crisis

A critical concern within the high-income earning demographic is suicide rates among female physicians. Dr. Lake reveals a startling statistic: “Suicide deaths are 250-400% higher among female physicians when compared to females in other professions.” 

Sadly, many physicians suffer silently from depression, but few talk about it or seek help for it. 

Dr. Lake highlights the broader issue within the medical community, stating, “Physicians, in general, have the highest suicide rates in the United States, with 300 to 400 physicians taking their own lives annually.

Physicians’ challenges, particularly in high-stress fields like emergency medicine, include long hours, lack of prioritization of physician wellness, and the pervasive culture that often prioritizes work over well-being. 

The Financial-Wellness Nexus: Aligning Finances With Holistic Self-Care

One of the critical aspects Dr. Lake emphasizes is the connection between financial stability and overall well-being. She articulates this link by stating, “If you want to have 6-7 vacations a year, then your financial self-care has to be to support your recreational self-care.”Integrating financial goals into the broader scope of self-care becomes paramount in her coaching programs.

“One primary challenge that affluent women face is the potential neglect of personal financial planning amidst their demanding careers,” emphasizes Dr. Lake. “The journey towards financial wellness involves accumulating wealth and leveraging it effectively to enhance overall well-being.”

Dr. Lake believes financial wellness is integral to a holistic self-care journey for women in high-stress, high-stakes professions.

Overcoming Obstacles For High-Income Earning Women

Addressing the specific challenges of high-income earning women, Dr. Lake reveals that many of her clients are physicians and dentists. 

She notes, “The perceived lack of time is a common obstacle for them. Many of these women feel stretched thin, managing successful careers while neglecting their health and well-being.”

Dr. Lake recognizes that these women are not merely seeking a quick fix or generic self-care advice. Instead, they require a tailored approach that aligns with their hectic schedules and high-stakes careers. Dr. Lake addresses this by guiding her clients through a self-care audit, helping them identify areas that need attention, and restructuring their priorities.

“The self-care audit involves a comprehensive evaluation of how my clients allocate their time,” Dr. Lake tells BE. “My goal is to help redefine their priorities, establish boundaries, and introduce the concept of micro-self-care.”

Dr. Lake says setting boundaries, managing time effectively, and aligning actions with overarching life goals are a must to achieve a sustainable balance.

RELATED CONTENT: Part I: Tools To Help You Get The Most Benefit From Your Career Coach