Pursue happiness
As our understanding of health has advanced over time, we’ve gone from focusing solely on the
physical to include the mental and emotional. Now it’s time to also embrace the relational.
Social health is the dimension of well-being that comes from connection and community, and
it’s essential for a long, healthy, and fulfilling life. In fact, people with strong social
relationships have a 50% increased likelihood of survival. In addition to eating nutritious
foods, exercising regularly, doing therapy, and practicing other conventional health habits,
we can benefit tremendously from connecting with loved ones and participating in
communities.
Humans need exercise
We are surviving longer than before, but are we really living longer? For me, the keys to
fulfilment today, at age 26, are the same as at 86. However, looking forward to my eighties,
I’m faced with only a few doors. To achieve long-fulfilled lives we must erase our ‘expiry
date’ and rewrite our story of what it means to grow old. I want more opportunities for
fulfilment as I age – not fewer - whether that means looking after my grandkids or founding
a start-up and learning to pole dance. By breaking down these barriers, we’ll make way for
new sources of meaning, choice, contribution, and growth that will truly let us live longer
than before.