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Aug 23, 20234 min read

Don't Let Your Age Define You

By Emily McGuigan 23rd August 2023.



Have you ever told yourself or heard someone else use the phrase “I’m too old for that”?

What if I told you having that kind of mindset alone could take years off your life….


As a studying functional nutritionist, I personally focus a lot of my time and efforts on understanding the importance of nourishing yourself with optimal nutrition. After all, having a healthy diet is the key to a quality life, is it not? But what if good nutrition was just part of that story.


Yes, it is true eating a healthy diet full of fresh organic produce, top-quality grass-fed meats and healthy fats does wonders for our bodies and minds. By nourishing ourselves this way, we can significantly decrease our risks of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes (1). But it seems there is so much more to a long healthy life than just good nutrition.




I'd like to shift your attention to some rare regions around the world, known as The Blue Zones. These zones include Ikaria of Greece, Loma Linda of California, Sardinia of Italy, Nicoya of Costa Rica, and Okinawa of Japan. The reason these particular hotspots gained their fame is because the people who live in these areas seem to have the longest life expectancy of all humans in the world today, and not just existing to an old age, but living a full life of good health.

You may be wondering, what is their secret? Lucky for you I'm about to enlighten you.


To put it simply, it is their zest for life. Their health and longevity are not only defined by their top-quality diets, but by the way they live in a community and their positive attitude toward life.


There appear to be 9 habits that these 5 regions have in common (3):

1. Natural Movement - An act as simple as walking, dancing or gardening, movements that you don’t necessarily have to think about but rather, enjoy. It doesn’t matter how you move your body, what matters is that you simply move it.


2. Purpose - Having a sense of purpose, and knowing why you are getting up every day, is apparently worth up to seven years of extra life.


3. The 80% Rule. Eat until you are 80% full, not stuffing yourself silly as we often do here in western societies.


4. Plant Slanted. Eating a large variety of fresh plant foods, with small amounts of meat. This is not to say meat is bad for our health, I am of the belief it is a crucial building block to optimal health. However, it seems that it does not need to be the cornerstone of every meal.

5. Routines - The simple act of having a routine means that you can drastically decrease those chronic stress levels that are so prominent in our western worlds these days. (Which is also a huge factor in the risk of developing disease) (2).


6. Wine! - I’m sure there of many of you jumping for joy at this one! But it’s true. Enjoying a glass of wine or two is very much accepted in these regions, the trick is to limit it to 1-2 glasses per day, and preferably consumed with great company and a delicious meal.


7. Belonging - Be a part of a community or a faith. It doesn't matter what your community revolves around, as long as you are part of one, and importantly, feeling like you belong within that tribe, which brings me to the next point.


8. Be Part Of The Right Tribe - Feel comfortable, heard and valued. It is very important to surround yourself with a community of like-minded people, with similar values, who prioritise healthy behaviours.


9. Family - Keep your loved ones close. Acts such as investing time and love into your children and committing to a life partner can add years to your life.


Circling back to my original statement of “I’m too old for that”. From what I have just told you, by selling ourselves short when it comes to our age and what we can achieve, may actually be what cuts our lives short. Reaching your goals, pursuing your passions and hobbies, is what keeps us young. It gives us meaning, drive, and purpose in our life. It keeps us active. Apparently, our age does not define us, our mindset does. And with the average life expectancy in Australia right now being approximately 83 years old, imagine if we give up at 40, 50 or even 60, we could be missing out on at least a good 20 years of fun!


A brilliant book worth reading by Bronnie Ware is "The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying". Bronnie's book is a recollection of her personal experiences caring for her sick and dying patients and found these to be the top regrets of those on deaths door.


1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.


So, what can we learn from all of this? I think it's that we need to stop using our age as an excuse to not pursue something, and just go for it. It doesn't mean you have to be the best at it, you just need to be enjoying it. To have a reason to get up every day. And don’t let anyone else stand in the way of it. Remember, optimal nutrition is one of the best preventatives for disease, but having a positive mindset, a happy life full of purpose, laughter, and community is a proven key to a long and healthy life.


Ask yourself, what small changes can I make today, to give me the best shot at living the longest life I possibly can? To make sure that I am not living shorter and dying longer.


Emily



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