Ten Factors of Positive Longevity by Randy Moore – I’ve made presentations and hosted group conversations about the nuances and benefits of Positive Longevity. Many of my insights stem from my study of Blue Zone communities around the world. A Blue Zone community is a place where adults live longer with less problems with chronic diseases and dementia. Positive Longevity reflects our prevailing attitude (mindset) and daily activities (healthy choices). Here are the Ten Factors of Positive Longevity.
Nutrition – It’s a function of what we eat and what we avoid eating. And while being mindful, don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy small portions of ice cream and other treats. In other words, good nutrition is not about perfection. It’s more about our prevailing tendencies and habits.
Exercise – The key is moving and being active. Modest amounts of exercise can extend life expectancy by as much as five years. More vigorous exercise makes sense for more active people that exercise regularly. Older adults should take a moderate approach if they are starting an exercise regimen after years of being inactive. Charting your progress is an excellent way for staying motivated.
Humor – So, what’s so funny about getting older? Almost everything with the right attitude. Humor relates to feeling happy and secure in the moment. It’s about maintaining our perspective.
Relationships – Refers to the emotional fulfillment that comes from caring about others and knowing other people care about us. Few people focus on their money or material possessions at the end of their lives. Almost all of the conversations and feelings revolve around the quality of our relationships with family members and friends. Not only positive feelings, but also feelings of regret at the missed opportunities for reconciliation. Get busy making peace with everyone. Making peace doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of time with them or tolerate their attitude or behavior. It means having basic respect for their place in your precious life.
Faith – Faith establishes a sense of positive expectancy about our place in the world and the deeper meaning of life. Feeling a spiritual connection doesn’t have to be associated with a religion or church. Many people have a more private connection to their sensibilities about spiritual matters. One of the benefits of being associated with many churches is the sense of community they can provide.
Self-Love – Refers to our regard for our own wellness, happiness and peace of mind. It’s often expressed as compassion, dignity, gratitude, acceptance, and forgiveness.
Gratitude – Feeling grateful is the glue that connects our thoughts, feelings and positive expectations. Grateful people are more positive, resourceful and resilient.
Purpose – Feeling a sense of purpose is worth up to seven additional years of life expectancy. Naturally, our sense of purpose changes as we mature.
Avocations – How we choose to spend our time provides mental stimulation and new positive social connections. Having hobbies and other interests also stimulates our cognition and imagination.
Resilience – We become more resilient when we help other people to feel more resilient.
Randy Moore is the owner of Triple 3 Marketing, LLC and the publisher of Englewood Healthy Living and South County Healthy Living. He also provides private Positive Longevity Coaching based on his Positive Longevity model. Email Randy.