Lifespan vs Healthspan – What does Healthy Mean to You

Everyone thinks they want to live a long life, but what if those last 20 years are spent being chronically ill, or unable to do the things you love? Would you reconsider? This is the idea of lifespan vs. healthspan, or, essentially, quantity vs. quality. Our goal at Longevity Herbs is to help you live a longer and healthier life, so you can make the most of your golden years.

Understanding Lifespan

Lifespan is quite simply the number of years a person lives, and it’s the primary way we think about age. In 2015, the average lifespan for American women was 81.6 years, while for men the number is 76.9. Maximizing lifespan means maximizing the number of years a person lives, without regard for the quality of those years.

This, in a nutshell, is what’s often wrong with Western medicine. We operate under a model where most of the emphasis is put on lifespan, rather than providing the support needed to help people live healthy, active lives.

Understanding Healthspan

Healthspan is a measurement of the number of years a person has a good quality of life—years in which they are healthy, functional, and active. Someone may live to be 90, but if their last 10 years are spent immobile or unable to communicate, those years would not be considered part of their healthspan.

Increasing healthspan adds value to your lifespan by improving your overall quality of life.

Maximizing Healthspan

According to the CDC, 6 in 10 Americans have at least one chronic disease, and 4 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases. We aren’t healthy people, and it shows in our healthspans. There are, however, simple steps everyone can take to improve their health so they can live their lives to the fullest:

• Eat a diet full of healthy fats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and greens. The Mediterranean diet is often recommended by experts in healthy aging. 
• Incorporate joyful movement into your day. Not a gym rat? That’s okay! Do a dance while you’re waiting for your tea kettle to come to a boil or end every day with some yoga and stretches. Find movement you love and make it a habit.
• Sleep well. Everyone needs between 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to function at their best. If you sleep this many hours and you don’t feel well-rested when you wake up, consult with your doctor.
• Stay connected with your community and family. Study after study has shown the importance of social contact for healthy aging. Make an effort to stay connected with your family and friends.
• Exercise your brain. Read books, do jigsaw puzzles, fill out the daily crossword in the newspaper. All of these activities can help keep your brain healthy as you age.
• Consider fasting. Intermittent fasting can help you maintain a healthy weight and has even been shown to reverse cellular aging. Because intermittent fasting offers flexibility, most people are able to find a plan that works for them.

Learn More About Longevity Herbs

If you’d like to learn more about Longevity Herbs, browse our product selection online or contact us today.