Healthy aging month: Wellbeing is a lifelong journey

As we grow older, prioritising our health becomes increasingly important to ensure that our later years remain fulfilling and vibrant. Healthy Aging Month in September offers a timely reminder to focus on quality of life by adopting practices that support long-term wellbeing and vitality. In the article, we will explore examples from unique regions of the world, where people experience lower rates of chronic disease and enjoy longer lifespans than anywhere else in the world.

Health span over life span

To live a long and healthy life, it's important to focus on healthy aging. Researchers note that while life expectancy has increased by about 30 years since the mid-1900s, the number of years people spend in good health hasn't kept up, largely due to the rise in chronic diseases among older adults. The key challenge now is to extend people's health span—the number of years lived in good health—rather than just life span, the total number of years lived. However, there are places around the world where people regularly live to 100 or beyond, maintaining exceptionally healthy lives. It seems they've unlocked the secret to combining a long lifespan with a robust health span. Let's explore what they’re doing differently.

Learnings from around the world

Research has shown that centenarians around the world share common traits in their lifestyle, diet, social interactions and stress management, regardless of where they live. Lessons from the Blue Zones are one of the most prominent examples to bring all this data together. They studied five regions where people live significantly longer: Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Okinawa, Japan; and Sardinia, Italy. They identified key lifestyle factors contributing to the remarkable longevity in these areas. Here are some of the key concepts to take away from these studies as fundamental enablers of longevity:

• Healthy lifestyle and diet: People in Blue Zones engage in regular, natural movement throughout the day and consume a predominantly plant-based diet, rich in vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, while practicing moderation in alcohol consumption and caloric intake.

• Strong social connections and purpose: They maintain close family ties, strong social networks, and a sense of purpose ("ikigai"), which contribute to emotional wellbeing and reduce stress.

• Stress management and spiritual practices: Regular stress-reducing activities such as prayer, meditation and naps, along with involvement in spiritual or religious communities, help maintain mental and physical health.

In embracing these lessons, we learn that true longevity isn't just about living longer but living better. By prioritising a balanced diet, strong relationships, regular activity, and effective stress management, we can enhance our quality of life as we age. Let Healthy Aging Month inspire us to adopt these practices, ensuring our later years are filled with health, vitality and purpose.

*Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes. The information, or comments herein, does not amount to, or replace, professional advice and should not be relied upon as or substitute for professional or medical advice from a qualified professional. *