Do you want to live longer, or thrive longer?
When we hear the word “longevity”, we associate that with living a long life. But are those last 10-15 years good years? Are they years feeling energetic, vital, and spry? Are they years spent with loved ones, doing the things you love, continuing to see and experience new things?
Or are those years spent in dealing with a growing list of health issues, chronic pain and disease? Are they spent slowing down, becoming immobilized or relegated to assistive devices like walkers or wheelchairs? Are they spent slowly declining, with no real joy?
Ugh, gosh, sorry, that was a bummer. But here’s the point:
Do you want to stay alive longer for the sake of staying alive, or do you want to be able to enjoy every moment until your last?
I know my answer.
I was recently listening to an episode of “The Model Health Show” with Kelly and Juliet Starrett, two amazing mobility experts who were discussing longevity vs. durability.
It got me thinking - I’m not so much concerned about staying alive for a certain amount of years, especially if it means living those years unable to enjoy my life.
I’d much rather do everything I can to make sure that however many years I have left, I will be able to enjoy them. I want to keep going on adventures and swimming in lakes and climbing rocks and running on the beach. One day I hope I have grandkids and I want to chase them around the park.
And then just one day go to sleep and not wake up.
I mean, wouldn’t you?
Our bodies are amazing machines. We are adaptable and flexible and can deal with a ton of abuse. Eventually though, that bill comes due.
A life spent ignoring our body’s need for movement, eating foods that don’t nourish us, skipping out on loving relationships and spending our time constantly angry, stressed and alone will eventually wear you down.
Yes, modern medicine is amazing at finding ways of keeping us alive. Pharmaceuticals mask symptoms so you can continue living. Surgeries and other procedures stop you from dying, relieve agonizing pain but they don’t fix the problem.
How can we make a longer health span?
Kelly and Juliet Starrett talked about making ourselves more “durable”. This just means doing things for our body and mind that help us be more resilient, so when something does happen like a fall or an illness, we’re able to bounce back.
Here are some ways to make yourself more durable:
Move your body every day. Take walks, lift weights, do yoga, go swimming. Garden, walk the dogs, take a hike. Just use your body in all the amazing ways it can be used.
Eat a diet of whole, nutrient-dense meat and vegetables.
Expose yourself to cold and hot once in a while, like take a cold shower or sit in a sauna.
Sit on the floor. Find different positions and ways to sit that are new to you.
Spend time outside. Walk through the park or take a trip into the wilderness. Your brain will thank you.
Make and keep loving relationships. Family and friends - we all need connection. Enjoying those relationships into your later years will keep you vital and engaged.
So see, it’s not about adding more years to your life. It’s about adding more life to your years. Doing the work NOW to increase your health span, to make yourself more durable and resilient will mean you’ll spend your days enjoying life.
Are you with me? Let’s make ourselves harder to kill.
Guys, my passion is helping you achieve your goals of adding energy and vitality back into your life. I want to help you stay around for every adventure life might bring for you.
That’s what my 1-on-1 coaching program is all about. Giving you the tools to live a long, energetic and fulfilling life.
Talk soon.
Comments