How not to grow old

Life spans are growing longer and if you are like me, you are in your “third act” of life. I have never been more excited and hope what I share with you will get you excited as well.

You know I believe you are what you Eat & Drink, Wear and Think. That was cemented with two speakers I’ve recently listened to.

Those two speakers are Dan Buettner and Laura Carstensen, PhD. Dan discovered the five places in the world dubbed Blue Zones. These are areas where people live the longest, healthiest lives. Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a yoga retreat in Costa Rica. That area was one of the Blue Zones. I remember the amazing food that was served (all plant based), the beautiful scenery and kind people. 

Laura is the professor of psychology and public policy at Stanford University. She is the founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity. 

According to both professionals, if we want to have a fighting chance at living a long, independent, vibrant life, there are certain things we can do. We are a product of our environment. We can live a vibrant life well into our 90’s but you must set yourself up for it now. 

I realize it is difficult to change beliefs. What we have adapted as what we believe to be healthy and best for us can cause some pushback on new ideas. Hang with me on this one.

There were several aspects of life they said are shifting and we need to shift with it. I’m going to highlight five of them.

1. Diets. As I mentioned earlier in my intro, when I visited a Blue Zone, our meals were all plant based. Food is how we age well. According to Dan, 90% of what we eat should be plant based. I’ve seen so much research on this and I know it can be difficult in our culture. Most meals are centered around animal protein. Dan, suggest you limit your meat intake to only five times a month. Yes, he said five times a month. Maybe you want to start out with having no meat once a week. You could try Meatless Monday. Work up to two times a week and see how it feels. There are several other ways to get protein other than animal products.
2. Language. How do we talk to ourselves about aging? Do you see it as a positive or negative?  In the Blue Zones they celebrate age. Getting older is a privilege not everyone gets. Be likeable. Be interested and interesting. 
3. Cities. We are a product of our environment. Living someplace where you can walk to the grocery, or a park or have a garden. Live in a beautiful place. Celebrate every day. 
4. Social Groups. All people need to be part of a social circle and who you spend the most time with matters! Do you have a group you can have meaningful conversations.? Do they also live a healthy lifestyle? Do you go on walks together, eat at healthy restaurants, play pickleball?
5. How we see ourselves. Do we look in the mirror and only focus on the wrinkles or sagging skin on our legs? I find so much inspiration seeing women in their 70’s lifting heavier weight than I do. Seeing amazing transformations with hair, posture, and makeup. DECIDING to embrace this stage of life and make the “third act” better than the first two.

You can decide to make your life relevant, share your wisdom with the young, be a positive role model for all women. You can do this because you are a woman with purpose. And when you do, your most confident self-shines through – and that feels amazing.