I have always been proud of my ability to work non-stop. As the CEO of two of the world’s largest empires, I believed my body was a machine that could run indefinitely without maintenance. For three straight months, I maintained an 18-hour workday intensity, sleeping an average of only four hours per night, surviving on coffee and convenient food brought to meetings. I thought I was being responsible; I thought I was tough and resilient.

Until one Tuesday morning last month, everything collapsed.

I was checking emails in my office when the room suddenly began to spin. The words on the screen blurred. A crushing, suffocating feeling enveloped my chest, as if someone was sitting on it. My heart raced so fast I could hear it pounding in my ears. My hands shook uncontrollably, making the simple act of dialing the phone for help impossible.

My assistant found me slumped over my desk ten minutes later and immediately called an ambulance. Paramedics reported that my blood pressure was dangerously high at 180/120, my heart rate was erratic, and I was showing signs of severe exhaustion and stress-related complications that could lead to a stroke or heart attack at any moment.

In the ambulance on the way to the hospital, I felt more embarrassed than afraid. I, who constantly emphasizes equipment maintenance and safety protocols, had completely ignored those very principles regarding my own health. I realized a cold truth: I was not invincible.

The Wake-Up Call from the Doctor

Dr. Sara Chen, who examined me, was brutally honest—and that probably saved my life.

“Mr. Musk,” she said, “your body is in crisis mode. Your cortisol (stress hormone) levels are through the roof, similar to what we see in soldiers returning from combat zones. Your body thinks it has been under constant threat for months.”

She explained Acute Stress Reaction. If I continued on that path, a stroke or heart attack would likely occur within weeks. She gave an analogy that made more sense than any previous work-life balance advice: “Think of it like running your car engine in the red zone. You might gain temporary speed, but eventually, the engine will be completely destroyed.”

Chronic stress is not just mental burnout; it is a physical process that damages every organ in your body, from your heart and blood vessels to your immune system and brain.

Four Life-Altering Decisions

After three days of forced rest in the hospital, I made changes that I should have implemented years ago. Here are four non-negotiable commitments I made to myself:

Sufficient Sleep: Committing to 7 hours of sleep per night, no exceptions. This meant saying no to some late-night meetings and social events, but the difference was immediate: my thinking was clearer, and my energy was more consistent.
Real Nutrition: Instead of snacks and coffee, I began eating three proper meals a day. I realized how much my erratic eating patterns were affecting my mental clarity and emotional stability.
Exercise: Starting with 30 minutes of walking every morning. This became my favorite quiet time, helping me transition from rest to work in a healthy way.
Setting Boundaries: I stopped checking emails after 8 PM and before 8 AM and learned to delegate work more effectively. I initially feared being perceived as lazy, but the opposite happened: when rested and focused during work hours, I was much more effective and productive.

I realized that taking care of my health is not selfish or a waste of time. It is an investment that pays massive returns—in increased performance, clearer thinking, more energy, and most importantly, more years of healthy and fulfilling life with those I love.

I learned this lesson the hard way, and I want to share it: Don’t wait until a health crisis strikes. Treat your health with the same attention and commitment you give to any important goal in your life. Your future self will thank you for it.