Have you ever considered how the small things you do on a regular basis add up to a bigger picture in terms of longevity and aging well?
According to positive aging influencer, TV personality, and author Jennifer Feuerstein, major improvements in healthcare, science, and technology—along with a big drop in child mortality—have caused life expectancies to rise exponentially over the past century.
"Here's something interesting: Life expectancy increases as we age. The longer we live, the longer we will live. Sounds obvious and confusing at the same time, but it makes sense," Feuerstein explained. "If you've made it past childhood, dodged major accidents and diseases and live a healthy lifestyle, your odds of living longer go up."
Knowing this, it's worth focusing on what can be done to improve our quality of life!
"Researchers agree that the number one way to boost longevity is to get regular exercise: A minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week for adults," Feuerstein said. "Of course, this needs to be combined with other healthy lifestyle behaviors like not smoking, eating a Mediterranean diet, managing stress, and getting seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night."
The key to getting your 30 minutes of movement a day, Feuerstein explained, is to simply stay moving.
"Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park far from the entrance of a building. Get a walking pad under your desk. Take regular stretching breaks throughout the day," she suggested. "Build movement into your daily habits like adding squats while brushing your teeth or doing pushups against the kitchen counter while cooking. It all adds up!"
Our longevity and vitality are also linked to our purpose.
"A growing body of research suggests having a defined purpose in life will allow us to live longer. When we have purpose, we're more likely to protect our health, and we are more insulated from stress, which cuts life short. So striving for meaning in our daily lives can give us longevity."
ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
Looking for a way to feel refreshed physically in addition to boosting your overall longevity? Consider reaching out to the experts at Centre for Plastic Surgery! The Centre's Dr. Rebecca Boston, a compassionate and highly skilled plastic surgeon, suggests booking a consultation to determine your goals.
"Plastic surgery and other cosmetic procedures can be a great way to help boost your confidence and allow your appearance to reflect how vibrant you feel inside. Sometimes, no matter how much self-care we do or how many healthy habits we stick to, our bodies just don't quite match the vision we have in mind. For a lot of people, it's about enhancing or refreshing features in a way that feels natural and empowering—allowing you to age gracefully but still look like yourself."
Written by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor for West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Aug/Sept '25 issue of West Michigan Woman.
