3 Reasons Why Longevity Should Matter to You Right Now.

When most people think about aging, they often focus on the idea of lifespan—how many years they will live. While this is undoubtedly important, there's another concept that deserves just as much attention: healthspan. Healthspan refers to the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic disease and disability. The key to living a long, fulfilling life isn't just about adding more years, but also about ensuring those years are lived with vitality, independence, and mental clarity.

So why should longevity practices matter to you, right now? Let’s explore three compelling reasons that highlight why healthspan and longevity should be top of mind for anyone interested in improving their overall quality of life.

1. Greater Fitness Leads to More Quality Time

It’s easy to think of longevity as simply adding more years to your life, but true longevity is about maximizing the quality of those years. For many people, quality is tied to the ability to remain active, independent, and engaged, while creating lasting memories with loved ones and pursuing personal passions. Good physical health is essential for preserving your ability to participating in activities that bring you joy, as well as for handling everyday tasks like home maintenance and running errands.

Why is it that the average 30 year old can run a mile in 10 minutes, whereas the average 70 year old may need assistance or multiple trips to carry in the groceries? Why is it that the average 45 year old can briskly walk up stairs, whereas the average 80 year old may struggle to pick themselves off the floor? This is because beginning in our mid-20s, there is a clear, predictable, age related decline in cardiopulmonary fitness, as measured by VO2 max. After fifty, your VO2 max may decline by up to 15% per decade! This cumulative decline is how things that used to be easy – like walking up stairs, lifting up a grandchild, or maintaining independence- are suddenly hard.

VO2 max is one of the single best predictors of healthspan and lifespan. If your VO2 max is the top 25th percentile of your age range, you are 4 times less likely to die compared to those who are in the bottom 25th percentile! The good news is by taking action (see my free Longevity Guide) you can improve your VO2 max! So being physically fit not only increasing the years you live, it also ensures you can enjoy those years to the fullest by continuing to participate in meaningful activities that keep you happy, fulfilled, and independent.

2. Reducing the Risk of Chronic Disease

For many years I have taken care of hospitalized patients in the aftermath of a life-altering event, such as a heart attack, stroke, or cancer diagnosis. Seeing the devastating impact this has on patients and families has made me deeply passionate about preventing, catching, and treating chronic disease before it progresses to the point of crisis.

Many chronic diseases, when left unchecked, progress slowly over time. For example, cardiovascular disease, which may catastrophically first present as a heart attack or sudden death, almost assuredly has been developing over years, even in seemingly healthy individuals. Autopsies of young people who tragically died in car accidents have revealed signs of cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis in heart blood vessels) in those as young as 19 years old. This demonstrates how cardiovascular disease develops quietly under the surface for decades, only becoming suddenly apparent too late. The concept of early detection, early action applies to numerous disease. Cancer survival rates dramatically improve when cancer is detected early. The American Cancer Society reports that the 5-year relative survival rate for breast cancer, when detected early, is 99%, compared to just 27% for those diagnosed at late stage. Early detection and intervention can significantly alter the course of many diseases, highlighting how essential it is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits as soon as possible. By focusing on proactive health measures, such as eating a nutrient-dense diet, engaging in regular exercise, and minimizing inflammation, you can enhance your healthspan by decreasing your risk of developing chronic diseases.

3. Enhancing Mental and Emotional Well-being

As we age, mental and emotional well-being can often be overlooked in discussions of longevity. However, the mind is just as important as the body when it comes to living a long and healthy life. Longevity isn’t just about how long you live physically, but also about how you maintain cognitive function, mental clarity, and emotional health.

With increasing age, conditions like dementia, depression, and anxiety can diminish life quality. By prioritizing both physical and mental health, you can protect what makes you, you. Practices that support longevity can have profound benefits for mental and emotional well-being. Engaging in meaningful relationships and staying socially active can help stave off feelings of loneliness and depression. It is never too late to create new social connections or strengthen existing bonds. Keeping the brain active through lifelong learning, puzzles, reading, or even picking up new skills can enhance cognitive function. Incorporating practices that nurture both the body and mind is essential for achieving true longevity.

Final Thoughts

Longevity truly matters because it focuses on enhancing both lifespan and healthspan—the total number of years lived in good health. By taking a holistic approach to longevity that includes healthy habits, disease prevention, and mental well-being, you set yourself up for not only a longer life but a more vibrant, fulfilling one.

The best time to start building healthy longevity habits is right now. Just like investing in a 401(k), the benefits of good habits grow over time. So, start today! Make small changes that will compound for an outsized return and ensure that the years ahead are as bright as possible. We're here to help you invest in yourself!