Wellness and Longevity

Wellness is generally described as the absence of disease along with a multi-dimensional state of optimal health in the areas that encompass our nature as human beings. Primarily, these areas would be: Spiritual (made to believe); Emotional (made to love); Rational (made to think); Physical (made to move); Social (made for relationships); Environmental (made for nature); and Occupational (made for a purpose). These factors are all inter-connected and together determine the quality of our lives.

The keys to wellness and longevity actually start with our beliefs and the status of our relationships with God, our families, and our friends. It is also vitally important that we dream dreams, find our passion, and in our own way, cultivate and continually redefine our sense of purpose. Life expectancy and quality of life are greatly influenced by supportive relationships, job satisfaction, and socio-economic status.

The main lifestyle factor that has proven positive effects on our physical and mental health is regular physical activity and exercise. We are made to move, and if we do so, a broad range of physiological systems simply function more efficiently, leading to improved health and a decrease in disease risk factors. Exercise, along with the nutrition necessary to promote it, is essential to health, wellness, and longevity. In study after study, the results regarding exercise are the same: It always works.

Longevity and Healthspan

Longevity, as we use it here, refers to living a long life and it describes life expectancy or maximum life span. According to the Hayflick Limit, which is the number of times our cells will divide before stopping, we have the capability of living to at least 120 years of age. What is important to most people, however, is increasing our maximum healthspan, the years that we are fully functional and free of pain and debilitating conditions. Genetic research has shown that 20-30% of a person's longevity is due to their genes with the remainder a result of individual choices, behavior, and environmental considerations. We live in an era of lightning-fast change, and the scientific fields of anti-aging medicine and life extension are no exception. The baby boomer generation has also been chasing youth as it is aging. The anti-aging industry today is 50 billion dollars and growing and most of the products sold will not affect your aging process. Going forward, however, stem cell rejuvenation, genetic repair, organ replacement and even your brain transplanted into a perfect human droid are possibilities that are both exciting and terrifying and bring a host of ethical isses to the fore. In the meantime, let's focus on improving our healthspan and listen to the World's Oldest Man, Walter Breuning of Great Falls, Montana, who is 114 years old. His 3 big tips for a long life as reported in the April 2011 issue of the Men's Journal are: Exercise. Get out and walk, it's the best thing for you. Keep your mind operating at all times, it's what runs your life. Eat right, and eat just enough so you never gain weight. So while we're on the road to immortality, make sure you talk to God to find out why you're here, get off your behind and move as much as possible to fulfill your destiny, and make your part of the world a better place. We'll take a closer look at anti-aging trends and what the research says about them. Stay tuned...

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WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR LIFESPAN AND HEALTHSPAN

Here are nine steps that will lead to a longer and healthier life according to LIVING BETTER, LIVING LONGER: THE SECRETS OF HEALTHY AGING (Harvard Health Publications, 2001): 1. Don't smoke 2. Eat a healthy diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains 3. Take a daily multivitamin and get enough calcium 4. Watch your weight and body shape 5. Challenge your mind 6. Be active daily 7. Develop a strong social safety net 8. Follow preventive care guidelines and protect your sight and hearing 9. Discuss possible medication needs with your doctor and monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and bone density