Americans most value health, would give up social media and chocolate to be healthy, alcohol and sleep to be at their ideal weight and would more likely want sex at a lower weight

Freedomology, a technology and coaching company dedicated to helping people achieve freedom in their health, finances and relationships, today released the results of a survey of 1,035 U.S. consumers regarding their opinions about health, wealth, happiness and relationships. The survey results indicate that Americans value health above all else.

“The survey results show that Americans overwhelmingly value health more than wealth and even happiness. However, the results also show that Americans strongly link health to other common aspirations, such as happiness, good relationships, productivity and performance at work, and wealth. The survey results reflect our research and approach at Freedomology, where we focus on physical and mental health as the foundation of happiness and financial, relationship and career success,” said Greg Clement, CEO, Freedomology.

The big question: What is most important?

The most important question of the survey indicates that Americans place an overwhelming priority on health. When asked if they could be only wealthy, healthy, or happy, more than half (52.3%) report they would choose to be healthy, not closely followed by happy (28%) and wealthy (19.7%).

Health is the foundation of happiness

Even more revealing about the priority that Americans place on health is their belief that health is the foundation of happiness. Almost all respondents (94.6%) think they’ll be happy if they’re healthy. A lower percentage of respondents (75.6%) think they’ll be happy if they’re wealthy.

The value of a lifetime of perfect health

Although Americans place the highest priority on health, what they’re willing to trade for a lifetime of perfect health also reflects their values. More than half (54.6%) selected social media as their top choice, while nearly half (48.6%) selected chocolate. $50,000 (27.2%) narrowly surpassed sex (26.3%), and their best friend finished last at 14.7%, indicating the value that Americans place on friendship.

The relationship between health, work and finances

Americans also draw an important line between health and work. When asked how their health impacts their finances, 57.5% report when they feel well, they perform better at work, and 52.6% say when they’re healthy, they’re more productive at work. Nearly one in five (17.9%) report being in debt due to medical bills.

Health and relationships

The survey also sheds light on the link between health and relationships. When asked how their health impacts their relationships, respondents reported that when they’re healthy they’re more likely to hang out with friends (49.6%), have sex (40.8%), and meet new people (37.6%). When unhealthy, they’re more likely to isolate themselves (46.2%).

Weight and relationships

Respondents reported similarly about weight and relationships as they did about health and relationships. When asked how their weight impacts their relationships, respondents reported that when they’re satisfied with their weight, they’re more likely to hang out with friends (40.4%) and meet new people (36.1%). They’re more likely to want to have sex (32.9%) when at a lower weight. When they feel overweight, they’re more likely to isolate themselves (34.5%).

Alcohol (53.6%) topped the list of what respondents would give up to never gain weight again, and an hour of sleep a day (48.5%) topped the list of what respondents would give up to weigh their ideal weight for the rest of their lives.

Survey methodology

A national online survey of 1,035 consumers regarding their opinions about happiness, health, wealth and relationships was conducted by Propeller Insights between June 27th and July 7th, 2024. Respondents opted in to an online database; from there, they were targeted based on demographics. To further confirm qualifications, respondents were asked to verify their information in the survey itself with self-identifying qualifications. The maximum margin of sampling error was +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence.

About Freedomology

Freedomology is committed to helping people achieve freedom in their health, finances and relationships. There are sciences for building wealth and improving health and relationships; Freedomology is the art of integrating those sciences into sustainable wellness practices that help people fall in love with their lives. Freedomology regularly offers H40 40-day health sprints that provide a deep dive into transforming health. The H40 sprints help participants activate metabolism immediately after waking; enhance mindset and mood; fall in love with movement; discover places and activities they love; increase muscle mass and energy; lose body fat and extra weight; optimize sleep and recovery; and eliminate brain fog and afternoon crashes. For more information about Freedomology and the H40 health sprints, visit https://www.freedomology.com/h40.

Emily Roberts PRforRealeflow@bospar.com