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Majority of Americans say they want to live for a century, but only if they're living well

ST. LOUIS, May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Edward Jones' and Age Wave's latest representative study of more than 11,000 North American adults, "Longevity and the New Journey of Retirement," examines the changing definition of retirement, the patterns of people's experience in retirement and the keys to thriving along the way. Despite Americans' worries about health care and long-term care costs in retirement, they still desire to live longer, and nearly seven in 10 Americans (69%) want to live to age 100.

Americans who want to live to 100 indicated that they hope to live longer because they want to spend more years with family and friends (35%), they are enjoying life and want to continue doing so (23%), they are curious about the future (19%) and there is so much more they want to do (18%). Only 6% said they wanted to live longer because they are afraid of dying. Additionally, retirees now say the ideal length of retirement is 29 years.

On the contrary, some Americans indicated that they would not want the extra longevity if they were suffering with terrible health (32%), if they became a burden on their families (29%), if they had serious cognitive loss like that of Alzheimer's disease (20%), or if they no longer had purpose in life (14%).

Not Your Parents' Retirement: A Whole New Chapter in Life

The definition of retirement has vastly changed from that of previous generations. Pre-retirees* and retirees view their parents' version of retirement as a time for "rest and relaxation." However, when asked about their own retirement today, only 27% see today's retirement as "a time for rest and relaxation," while 55% define it as "a new chapter in life."

"Today's retirees enjoy a growing array of opportunities to stay engaged, possibly reinvent themselves and enjoy the freedoms of this stage of life. This is definitely not their parents' or grandparents' retirement," said Ken Cella, Principal, Branch Development at Edward Jones. "At the same time, they face new challenges, especially around their health, their finances and finding a new definition of purpose."

Edward Jones and Age Wave also found blurred lines around what people think marks the beginning of retirement. The top milestones that pre-retirees and retirees view as the "start" of this chapter include stopping full-time work (34%), receiving Social Security and/or a pension (22%), leaving one's job/career (17%) and achieving financial independence (17%). Only 10% said the start of retirement meant reaching a certain age.

This changing definition is reflected in pre-retirees' and retirees' retirement plans, as a majority (59%) want to work in some way during their retirement, with 22% looking to work part time, 19% hoping to cycle between work and leisure and 18% wishing to work full time.

Uncovering Four New Retirement Stages and Four Different Journey Paths

Edward Jones and Age Wave's research defined the four new stages of retirement: Anticipation (0-10 years before retirement), Liberation/Disorientation (0-2 years after retirement), Reinvention (3-14 years after retirement, and Reflection/Resolution (15+ years after retirement). Each stage presents unique expectations, priorities, challenges, hopes and helpful planning for retirement.

In the heart of retirement (Reinvention), the study further identified four distinct journey paths characterized by people's attitudes and ambitions, retirement preparations and their level of enjoyment of life in retirement. By examining the trajectory of these paths, the researchers also uncovered how decisions and strategies for living throughout the early and middle years of life can impact the retirement years both negatively and positively.

The four paths identified in the research include:

"We are witnessing the birth of a new retirement with unique stages and journey paths for everyone," said Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D., psychologist/gerontologist and founder and CEO of Age Wave. "Successful retirees have enjoyed a mostly positive, satisfying life and are looking forward to the years ahead. Their emotional intelligence and hard-earned resilience can provide invaluable guidance as tomorrow's retirees contemplate how to best plan to fulfill their hopes and dreams for retirement."

Early Action Is Key to Successfully Navigating the Retirement Journey

While everyone's experience of retirement is different, one thing is clear from the research: Retirees who report better quality of life took more steps decades in advance to prepare and plan across all the four pillars of Finances, Purpose, Family, and Health. From saving early and consistently and developing healthy habits to communicating with close family and discovering passions and interests, there are several steps pre-retirees and those early in retirement can take to make the most of their retirement.

The value of financial foresight cannot be underestimated, as the traditional "three-legged stool" for funding retirement pensions, Social Security and personal savings has become even more wobbly, and unexpected expenses can arise in retirement. Working Americans must double down on the third leg of the stool: saving. According to the study, retirees say they started saving for retirement at age 38 on average, but in retrospect, they should have started saving nearly a decade earlier, at age 29. In addition to saving, other key pre-retirement actions to take include tending to ongoing health and preventive care, discussing retirement plans and goals with family and friends, beginning or expanding volunteering activity and working with a financial advisor, who can be instrumental in interpreting current market conditions and developing a holistic financial plan to better financially prepare for a 100-year lifespan, as well as the expenses that come with it.

"Edward Jones' century of experience guiding clients through periods of immense volatility and waves of economic and societal change give us the benefit of hindsight to help current and future clients," added Cella. "Understanding the way people today view retirement, and what changes retirees wish they could have made, improves our ability to serve them in a human-centered way and help them each achieve what's most important to them and their families."

In addition to these findings, the complete report dives deeper into the stages of retirement, highlights the four distinct journey paths in retirement and unveils how to achieve the best quality of life in retirement, leveraging the preparation actions and behaviors of those who are thriving in retirement as a benchmark. To access the report and for more details on Longevity and the New Journey of Retirement, please visithttps://www.edwardjones.com/newretirement.

*Pre-retirees are defined as those ages 45 or older, planning to retire within the next 10 years.

MethodologyThis report is based on a large-scale investigation to better understand how to live well through the new journey of retirement. The study was conducted by Edward Jones in partnership with Age Wave and The Harris Poll.

The study began with qualitative research consisting of a three-day online forum conducted Sept. 28-30, 2021 (n=40) and six 90-minute online focus group discussions conducted Oct. 5-7, 2021 (n=36). The online forum and online focus groups included adults age 45+ from the U.S. and Canada who were retired or within 10 years of retirement.

Nationally representative surveys of more than 11,000 people were conducted online in January and February 2022. The main survey included roughly 6,000 U.S. adults and 1,000 Canadian adults age 45+ who are retired or within 10 years of retirement. Additional omnibus surveys included over 4,000 U.S. adults age 18+. Results were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population.

AboutEdward JonesEdward Jones, a Fortune 500 firm, provides financial services in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm's nearly 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of $1.7 trillion in client assets under care. Edward Jones' purpose is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm's 50,000 associates and our branch presence in 68 percent of U.S. counties, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is at http://www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is http://www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

About Age WaveAge Wave is the nation's foremost thought leader on population aging and its profound business, social, financial, health care, workforce and cultural implications. Under the leadership of co-foundersKen Dychtwald, Ph.D., andMaddy Dychtwald, the firm has provided breakthrough research, compelling presentations, award-winning communications, education and training systems, and results-driven consulting initiatives to over half the Fortune 500. For more information, please visitwww.agewave.com.

About The Harris Poll The Harris Poll is one of the longest-running surveys in the U.S., tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. The firm works with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking and earning organic media through public relations research. Their mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit http://www.theharrispoll.com.

SOURCE Edward Jones

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Rising Longevity and the Desire to Live Well in Retirement Influence Americans' Priorities and Planning, Edward Jones and Age Wave Research Finds - PR...

Marti Shoemaker and her husband, Julien, are off on one of what she likes to call their little adventures. Theyre cruising kind of slowly on their beach cruiser-style bikes with the 20-inch wheels they chose because the bikes are lighter and closer to the ground if we fall, she says. They chat amiably as they wend their way down a paved trail past the occasional jogger near their Williston, Vermont, home.

Shoe, as his friends call him, says Martis a good listener and hes an overly good talker. But the truth is that, even after 65 years of marriage, they happily report they havent run out of conversation topics or gotten sick of getting outside and doing things together. They walk pretty much daily and sometimes take overnight trips to Boston to visit their daughter and friends or simply see something new.

Shoe is ready to go anywhere at any time I come up with wacky ideas. Lets go here and look at the backyards of peoples gardens on view and little things likethat, says Marti, 86, of her 91-year-old mate. He always says yes.

This year, she lost way too many of her close friends to age, she says, so shes adopted a motto that centers on the word now. Do it. Wear it. Now.

Research says the friends the Shoemakers have made, the family relationships they nurtured and other personal interactions have helped them achieve their long lives. Those who study lifespan say relationships matter more than genetics when it comes aging well and living long.

Over the past few decades now, growing evidence shows people who are more socially connected live longer and people who are more isolated or lonely are at increased risk for early mortality, according to BYU psychology professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad. Shes found that in her own research, too, including in a very recent 2022 studypublished in the Annual Review of Public Health.

Marti and Julien Shoe Shoemaker of Williston, Vermont, love to bike and walk the paved trails. After 65 years of marriage, they havent run out of good conversation, says Marti, 86, of life with her husband, who is 91. Research says that good relationships like they have including those with family, friends and others has a lot to do with longevity. More, even, than genetics.

Holt-Lunstad isnt talking about a few trickles of evidence. Research on how social connection impacts longevity forms an ocean of proof.

In 2010, she did a meta-analysis of 148 studies on the topic. Not long ago, other researchers considered 276 studies. And there have been additional studies published since that review, she said, noting the finding is solid and has been replicated repeatedly.

Though measurements and methods vary, the answer is always the same: Relationships impact how well and how long people live.

And the more kinds of relationships people have, the more resources they have to draw upon for a variety of types of needs, according to Holt-Lunstad. Partners, pals and the people in the neighborhood can all contribute to both mental and physical health.

Longitudinal evidence is especially strong that social relationships predict better physical health outcomes.

We have evidence that social connectedness is linked to immune functioning, to susceptibility to viruses and an ability to mount an effective immune response to vaccines, as well as health-related kinds of behaviors, said Holt-Lunstad.

Sleep is a prime example. People who have good relationships sleep better, while those who feel isolated or lonely they are not the same thing have poor sleep.

Researchers have controlled for lifestyle factors to show the link is both real and really derives from social connections, not something else, Holt-Lunstad said. A longevity benefit from relationships isnt instead just an outgrowth of ones age or weight or whether one drank or smoked or had diabetes or other health issues.

I think thats particularly important to know because there may be the assumption that people who are healthier are more likely to be social and people who are unhealthy might be more likely to be isolated, she said. This evidence is really part of a long-standing body of research that suggests humans are social beings and we needed to rely on others throughout human history for survival. So social connections themselves count.

Of the unhappiness people felt during the pandemic and the long periods of being away from others that resulted, she said, That level of distress is in essence our biology signaling an unmet need. If left unchecked, that can lead to poor health if experienced chronically. I think it shows how important our relationships are to our health. And that we need to prioritize relationships.

Perhaps the most famous long-term study of the impacts of having or lacking relationships developed over time from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, which started following 268 Harvard sophomores in 1938 and continued to track them. They also studied inner-city teens recruited from poor neighborhoods.

The surprising thing is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health, Robert Waldinger, study director, a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor at Harvards medical school, told The Harvard Gazette in 2017. Taking care of your body is important, but tending to your relationships is a form of self-care, too. That, I think, is the revelation.

As time passed, study directors retired, passing the task to new generations of researchers, and the study added children and wives of participants. The children of the original subjects have reached late middle age.

They learned that it is close relationships, not money, intelligence or ones genetic makeup, that creates lifetime happiness. This wasnt just identified among the Harvard elite; findings proved true across the board for the inner-city participants, too.

In fact, relationship satisfaction at age 50 better predicted physical health better than did cholesterol levels. And those with good social support had less mental deterioration as they aged than those who lacked it.

Good relationships dont just protect our bodies; they protect our brains, said Waldinger in a 2015 TED Talk that has been viewed 42 million times.And those good relationships, they dont have to be smooth all the time. Some of our octogenarian couples could bicker with each other day in and day out, but as long as they felt that they could really count on the other when the going got tough, those arguments didnt take a toll on their memories.

That doesnt mean relationships are the only difference-maker.

In the book Aging Well, Dr. George E. Vaillant listed factors that predicted healthy aging for the Harvard men: physical activity, not smoking or abusing alcohol, being able to cope maturely with lifes ups and down, healthy weight and a stable marriage. The same was true for the inner-city men, with the addition of education.

The more education the inner-city men obtained, he wrote, the more likely they were to stop smoking, eat sensibly, and use alcohol in moderation.

Waldinger summarized the Harvard study findings for CBS This Morning:

Waldingers advice for building good, close relationships? Giving people our full, undivided attention is probably the most valuable thing we have to offer, but its really hard to do. Our attention is always being pulled away and fragmented, said Waldinger, who said the payoff is worth the fact its hard work that takes time.

Other studies outline the benefits of strong social bonds.

A 2020 study in the Journals of Gerontology found socially integrated women had a 10% longer lifespan and 41% higher odds of surviving to age 85 than did those who were socially isolated. That was true even after the researchers adjusted for health behaviors and depression.

A 2015 study in Clinical Psychological Science by Waldinger and others found that elderly heterosexual couples who were securely attached to each other were likely to be more satisfied in their marriages, have less depression and less unhappiness. For women, greater attachment security predicted better memory 2.5 years later.

If you always assumed that how long your parents lived would provide a clue to your own longevity, youre not alone. So its not surprising that a 2010 study by Ancestry.com and Calico Life Services in the journal Genetics that involved millions of people caused a genuine stir. It quantified the role of the genes one inherited on ones lifespan at 7%, not the 20%-30% of previous estimates.

The researchers analyzed 54 million public family trees that included 400 million people on Ancestry.com.

They said assortive mating choosing a mate based on clearly seen characteristics like having the same religious beliefs, or shared ethnicity or a similar profession counts for more of the link to longevity that genes do.

In its report on the study, Statnews quotedCatherine Ball, Ancestrys chief scientific officer and the studys senior author, who said, Youre more likely to have a lifespan similar to that of your in-laws than to an equally unrelated stranger. She added that because people choose spouses who are like themselves in some way, they give their children something akin to a double dose of factors that can impact longevity but have nothing to do with genetics.

Its rare for a teetotaler to marry a party girl or an ultra-marathoner to marry a couch potato, she said.

The Shoemakers are surprised for a moment to hear that genetics might not be as significant as they thought to their longevity. Then Shoe notes that maybe its not so surprising, really. His dad was in his early 60s when he died; her mom not quite 60.

But not all aging is the same, and genetics may be more important to super-longevity, according to a 2012 study in the journal Frontiers in Genetics. It reiterated previous studies findings of a strong familial component to extreme longevity among those who live 100 years or more.

The New England Centenarian Study at the Boston University School of Public Health published research in PLoS Onethat said centenarians typically have just as many genetic variants linked to increased risk for a host of age-related ills Alzheimers, heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer, among others as those who do not live that long. Researchers believe the centenarians tremendous survival advantage could spring from genetic variants that somehow cancel out or at least protect somewhat against the negative effects of those disease-associated genes.

But whatever longevity advantage their genes might provide doesnt necessarily offer the well-being and happiness provided by relationships. They, too, need good relationships.

As for the Shoemakers, theyve built strong connections to other people and to the communities where they lived ever since they married in 1957. They raised their three children in Boston and their connections there remain strong.

Though Marti says she never was much of a joiner, she sang with a chorale into her late 70s, happily traveling and socializing with the group. And Shoe was always happy to go along. The camaraderie of the group was a great thing, she says.

When they got to Vermont, they led a Compassionate Friends bereavement support group for a decade. One of their sons died when he was 20, but they never leave him out of their story, Marti says. Their relationship with him helped shape them, too.

They have loved very well. And they have the years to prove it.

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How to live longer: Research says relationships matter more than genetics - Deseret News

Living longer these days isn't as challenging as you might think. We all know diet and exercise is key to maintaining overall health, but there's many other positive lifestyle changes that make a big difference and can add years to your life, according to experts we spoke with. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Yale R. Smith MD, with The Center for Antiaging, Aesthetic and Rejuvenation Medicine says, "Eat a healthy diet, based on the Mediterranean model. This will lower your risk of diabetes and the cortisol that inhibits insulin production. If an immediate change won't work for you, begin with small changes. Start by substituting one fast food meal a week with fresh fish (not fried) and vegetables. Continue replacing unhealthy foods with more healthy foods."

Dr. Smith emphasizes, "The biggest threat to your health and longevity is excessive cortisol levels caused by stress. Have your doctor check your cortisone level if you are under stress, then test to rule out other diseases. If stress and high cortisone levels are present and likely causing your physical problems, work with your doctor to identify the cause of your stress and develop an individualized plan to lower your stress."

Dr. William Li, physician, scientist, president and medical director of the Angiogenesis Foundation, and author of Eat To Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself shares, "Moving your muscles regularly, even walking, keeps your body's health defenses working as you age. Physical activity improves your circulation, activates your stem cells to keep regenerating your organs, improves your health, gut bacteria that help your immunity, and lowers body inflammation."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Dr. Li suggests, "Getting good quality sleep for 8 hours a night. Don't eat too close to bedtime which can interfere with deep sleep. Stop watching your screen for an hour before going to bed because the blue light from devices will make it harder to get deep high-quality sleep. Even though you may not be physically in motion during sleep, your body is highly active during deep sleep. This activity is recharging your health defenses, everything from your health gut bacteria to your immune system. Your brain actually expands and opens up a cellular sewer system during deep sleep to dump out the toxins it accumulated during the day."

Dustin Nabhan, VP of Health & Performance with Canyon Ranch adds, "Nighttime sleep and naps both reduce stress, which may be a reason that sleep appears to boost longevity. Create a sleep routine that works for you. This may include turning notifications off on your phone an hour before bedtime, reducing screen time, meditating to unwind, or incorporating blackout curtains. If you are still struggling with achieving quality sleep, talk to your doctor about a sleep study. There are also many smart devices that track how well you are sleeping and offer recommendations for improvement."

Gail Saltz MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry The New York Presbyterian Hospital and host of the "How Can I Help?" podcast from iHeartRadio says, "The earlier the treatment the more quick the resolution of clinical depression or anxiety disorders. We know that ongoing depression carries an increased risk of death by suicide as well as impact on the cardiovascular and the brain which decreases life expectancy. Similarly chronic high anxiety causes increased cortisol levels that harm multiple body systems."

Dr. Saltz recommends, "Practicing daily relaxation methods, such as paced deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, etc. High stress leads to burn out, illness, shortened lifespan. Having a daily routine that decreases internal stress daily can decrease ongoing stress levels."

Lisa Richards, a nutritionist and author of the Candida Diet explains, "Longevity is highly connected to diet and lifestyle. Protein is essential to life. It is one of the three macronutrients that fuel the human body providing energy, muscle building, and much more. When it comes to protein, animals are not the only source that should be considered. Many plant-based foods provide protein that can meet the complete amino acid needs of the body, some individual and some through proper pairing. Plant-based protein sources are superior to most animal-based sources based primarily on their fat content. Animal proteins are typically high in saturated fat, excluding most fish, which is detrimental to heart health. Plant-based protein combinations that contain all nine essential amino acids are known as complete proteins. Some common complete protein combinations include whole grain brown rice and black beans, whole wheat bread and peanut butter, pasta and peas, chickpeas and tahini (which are in hummus). Quinoa and soy are both plant-based complete proteins on their own. An added bonus of switching to plant-based sources of protein is the addition of anti-aging, and reversing in some cases, antioxidants present in many plant foods."

Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD reveals, "Intermittent fasting may be an excellent way for those over 50 to lose weight and also improve their longevity. The intermittent fasting approach is typically done in a 16 hour fasting window with an 8 hour eating and drinking window. Alternate day fasting requires the dieter to fast one day and eat / drink the next. Twenty-four hour fasts are done once or twice a week, rather than alternate days like the previous. For periodic fasting the individual will fast multiple days, three or less, once a month. Dry fasting is said to have weight loss and immune support benefits. Weight loss is attributed to the decrease in food while the immune benefits are from specific cellular processes that occur. Damaged cells are more easily removed from the body during this time as the digestive tract can focus on this process alone and the immune system is essentially reset."

Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and National MediaSpokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics shares,"Red meat and processed meats like sausage, bacon, deli meats, are high in saturated fat, which is pro-inflammatory, and can cause plaque buildup, which increases risk for both heart and neurodegenerative diseases. Processed meats also contain high amounts of sodium, which negatively impacts our heart health. For longevity, it's best to swap out the red meat for lean cuts of protein and plant protein choices such as beans, lentils, peas, nuts, seeds. They are highly nutritious containing vital vitamins, minerals and are a good source of dietary fiber and protein.. Nuts and seeds also contain heart healthy and anti-inflammatory essential fats. They can be made into bean or lentil or nut burgers, added to salads, stews, chilis,sandwiches, wraps, added to grain dishes, and can be blended up into dips or spreads (such as hummus, almond butter). The US Dietary Guidelines recommends 1 cups of legumes per week and 5 oz of nuts and seeds per week."

Ehsani says, "Dark leafy greens are one of the most nutrient rich foods! They are packed with vitamins, such as vitamin K, A, and C, they are rich in folate, iron, and contain a few grams of both dietary fiber and protein. Research has shown that individuals who eat dark leafy greens daily, had a slower rate of cognitive decline. Eat them raw, in a salad, add greens to smoothies, stuffed them into sandwiches, wraps or try them lightly sauted. The US Dietary Guidelines recommends 1 cups of dark leafy greens per week."

Jean Connors, M.D., medical director in the hematology division of Brigham and Women's Hospital and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Scientific Steering Committee member for the World Thrombosis Day campaign says explains,"Blood clots are one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide. In fact, 1 in 4 people are dying from conditions caused by thrombosis (commonly known as blood clots), according to the World Thrombosis Day campaign, and sudden death is the first symptom for nearly 25% of those who develop the condition. (WTD/CDC) The below health tips drastically decrease one's risk of developing a blood clot and can effectively add to your lifespan when followed closely.

Emily Gold Mears, a former lawyer turned citizen scientist, healthcare advocate and author of Optimizing Your Health explains, "We are exposed to a vast amount of toxins every day. As we accumulate more and more toxins, our ability to remain healthy declines. The body burden of toxins is an undeniable factor in most, if not all chronic diseases. Increase your lifespan by eating organic food when possible, refer to the EWG (Environmental Working Group) for the cleanest and the most pesticide laden produce, filter your water, invest in an air filter, replace plastics with glass, ceramic or stainless steel, replace toxic cookware with non-toxic brands, replace toxic cleaning products with vinegar and water, invest in a non toxic mattress, replace personal care products with non toxic brands and stop using pesticides."

Mears states, "As we age, lung function and capacity declines. This results in the absorption of less oxygen. Proper breathing is associated with nearly every aspect of good health and longevity. There are many different methods of proper breathing but the easiest include breathing through your nose instead of through your mouth. Another easy method to adopt is "Box Breathing". This is taught to Navy Seals, athletes and others. Inhale through the nose for a count of four seconds, hold the breath for four seconds, exhale through the mouth for four seconds and hold the exhale for four seconds."

Mears says, "As we age, the water content of our bodies decreases. All biological systems depend on water. We have heard for years that we should drink 8 glasses of water a day. This turns out to be just an average because the goal is to replace the amount of water that we lose throughout the day. Optimal amounts will depend on what climate you live in, how active you are, your age, your size, how much you sweat and how frequently you urinate. An easy way to monitor your fluid balance is to check your urine output. The darker the color of your urine, the more dehydrated you are, and the optimal color should be that of light straw."

Teresa Cowan Jones, Director of Spiritual Wellness with Canyon Ranch says, "Studies show that purposeful living is linked with lower risk of heart attack and stroke, less inflammation (and therefore reduced risk for chronic diseases) and diminished rates of Alzheimer's. Additionally, when we find a sense of meaning in our daily life we become more resilient, motivated, and better able to tackle obstacles."

Jennifer Baker-Porazinksi, Physician with Canyon Ranch says, "Family doctors are in a unique position because they get to follow their patients throughout their lives. From this vantage, we see firsthand how lifestyle choices impact health. Approximately 80% of chronic diseases are caused by modifiable risk factors, which means that simple changes can both prevent and slow their progression. For optimal health, I encourage people to engage in physical activities that they enjoy, to make healthy food choices, to avoid tobacco, to moderate alcohol intake, and to prioritize sleep. I also emphasize how important it is to connect with others, to manage stressors and to get outside in nature. This is my prescription for a happy, healthy life."

Stephen Brewer, Medical Director with Canyon Ranch states, "Live your life in moderation. Extremes of anything are generally not good. Extremes in exercise to overeating to working excessive hours have all been shown to be detrimental to our health. One needs to push ourselves on a regular, manageable basis. Overdoing it does nothing but result in breakdown of the body through overuse syndrome, disordered eating habits, and unnecessary stress from maintaining unsurmountable expectations. One needs to find a happy, manageable balance. This is where moderation is key."

Deirdre Strunk, VP of Spa at Canyon Ranch says, "We are all busy. It's the nature of the world we live in today. But making time for self-care should rank up there with that work deadline or what to eat for dinner. Self-care can be as simple as taking the longer route home because you enjoy the view more, getting lunch with a friend, playing music you enjoy while you do your daily skincare routine, or putting a face mask on during any of your mundane daily tasks. Find something that works for you that makes your day or week a little more fun, then make sure you prioritize that time for yourself. Increasing time for yourself in ways that you enjoy will reduce stress and contribute to a happier, longer life."

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These Simple Tricks Will Add 10 Years to Your Life Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That