Longevity - Adding Life to Our Years
Not Just Adding Years to Our Life
I learned about longevity last year - thanks to Peter Attia, the Canadian author. My main takeaways from his book were
It’s not only how long we live, but also how well we live. Attia refers to this as our healthspan—the years we stay mobile, sharp, and engaged.
We must make wise choices now if we want to do specific things later.
My goal is to live to be 100 - so 13 years to go - but there is more to it than reaching that chronological number. I want to enjoy those years, and there are things I can and must do now to help ensure it happens. Those two takeaways changed my thinking about aging well.
Longevity is not a new word, but it’s become a buzzword for the focus on extending a healthy, high-quality life, moving beyond lifespan to include well-being, proactive health habits, technology, and a mindset shift towards living better, longer.
Myths About Longevity
Myths and misinformation about longevity abound - and then there is the truth.
Longevity is mostly about genetics. While genetics plays a role, lifestyle, environment, and mindset account for far more when we think about how well—and how long—we live.
Living longer means living sicker. Longevity today is increasingly about healthspan, not just lifespan.
It’s too late to improve longevity after a certain age. Positive changes—exercise, nutrition, and social engagement—benefit the body and brain at any age. Even small changes can produce meaningful gains.
Anti-aging products can slow or reverse signs of aging. Truthfully, no cream, pill, or procedure stops aging. True longevity comes from choosing healthy habits.
We must exercise hard to gain longevity benefits. Consistency matters more than intensity. Walking, light strength training, stretching, and balance work are powerful.
Longevity is about physical health. Actually, emotional well-being, relationships, purpose, and meaning strongly influence longevity. Loneliness and chronic stress can shorten life as much as some physical risk factors. Some experts say that widespread loneliness in the U.S. poses health risks as deadly as smoking up to 15 cigarettes daily.
Knowing about misinformation matters because it tends to discourage us from making changes, creates unnecessary fear and shame, and pushes us toward unrealistic or expensive solutions.
The truth is more hopeful: aging well is adaptable, achievable, and deeply human.
Longevity and Aging Well
For those of us wishing to age well, longevity is about extending the healthy part of our lives rather than just surviving to an old age. Starting early is ideal; however, it’s never too late to adopt habits that support vitality and well-being.
So we’re getting older, and we’re interested in longevity. Now what? It could start with four simple actions.
Adopt a longevity mindset: Expect a long life and plan for it intentionally.
Define what “a good old age” means: Independence? Adventure? Service? Connection?
Keep learning and growing: Intellectual curiosity and adaptability protect against decline.
Stay flexible: The ability to adapt to changing health, technology, and living situations is key.
Of course, it includes our physical health, financial longevity, having a safe home and living arrangements, emotional and social well-being, and planning.
For me, adding life to my years has become the new focus.
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Dr. Janice Walton is a psychologist, a widow, a mother, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and a writer. She’s been writing a newsletter on Substack for five years and is in the process of publishing a book.
For those of us wishing to age well, longevity is about extending the healthy part of our lives rather than just surviving to an old age.
Thank you for this.