Biological Age vs Chronological Age: How to Age Well

This week in building health 👇

Understanding Biological Age and Chronological Age

I just turned 36 this week! 🎂

And regardless of how I look— someone at the dinner asked me…

“So how old do you feel?”

And I was stumped…

I didn’t really know how to answer.

So after 36 years around the sun, I’m wondering:

What does it mean for me to get older and age well?

My grandmother lived into her late 80s, but she struggled after a stroke, and was limited in movement and speech in the last 5 years of her life. Aging was hard for her.

Meanwhile, for my wife, her grandmother is 94 and still dances the tango and lifts some weights. Somehow, she was able to age well.

Is it just genetics?

Studies seem to say “No”

However, it is clear from studies in identical twins – who share the same genes but not the same exact lifespans – that genes are not the only factor that influences aging. In fact, genes probably account for only 20% to 30% of biological age. This suggests that other parameters can strongly influence biological aging.

Here’s what we currently know about aging well

Eat, Sleep, Exercise- you cannot escape this!

In the places where people regularly live long, it’s well recorded that these communities eat mostly plant-based meals (i.e. the so-called “mediterranean diet”) and move in spurts throughout the day.

That second bit is important to me.

We’re not talking about 1 hour of exercise at the gym.

We’re talking about 15-20 minutes spread throughout the day:

• A short HIIT workout in the morning

• Walking to lunch (and eating well)

• An evening jog

• A post-dinner walk

Navigate Stress Meaningfully

The term for this is “resilience.”

Everyone experiences stress in their life. It’s 100% unavoidable. It becomes a question of how well you can navigate that stress, bounce back, and transform it into a positive and learning experience.

This is why there are real health benefits to mindfulness, a growth mindset, and gratitude.

Connect, Connect, Connect

Finally, there is so much power in staying socially connected.

Study after study reveals how when we feel isolated and alone, it increases the chances of dying an early death.1

This might be the most urgent one for our society today, where everyone is feeling more isolated than ever before.

→ Read More About Aging Well Here

My favorite health things for the week

// one

Rest is Resistance (podcast)

24 minutes | LifeKit Podcast

I’ve always been working WAY more than I should.

When I was a teacher, I’d take work home and do it on the weekends.

Now that I’m a health coach, I’m spending a lot of my extra time writing, researching, and preparing for the week.

So I need to be reminded a lot that I should rest more.

Learn to rest through the guilt and shame, because that shows how much we’ve been brainwashed.

Especially in this culture that’s always about productivity, taking time to rest can be a radical thing to do.

→ Listen More Here

// two

The Argument for Grip Strength as a Vital Sign

4 minutes | Lou Schuler

You don’t need to rush out and buy a ‘grip strengthener’

But, if you’re wondering: Am I strong enough for my lifesytle?

A quick and easy way to check this is how strong your grip is.

Grip-strength testing is easy, fast, and noninvasive. It can be monitored over time. All it requires is a handgrip dynamometer, a tool that may cost less than a stethoscope, and a chair.

It’s a nice indicator of how strong you are overall.

→ Read More About it Here

// three

Maybe we should all eat dinner like the Spanish?

8 minutes | Jonny Thomson

In my family we’ve always had a tradition is having long dinners. Especially on the weekends.

Even though dinner is done, we still sit around for another hour or two, talking, catching up, and hanging out. (sometimes eating a bit more 😋)

The Spanish have a word for this: “Sobremesa”

Sobremesa is a mindset that pushes aside all the other things you “have” to or “need” to do and instead relaxing with those around you.

Take your meals slow, enjoy your company and relax.

→ Read More About this here

Until next time

Take it easy this weekend!

If you feel like things have been intense, busy, or hectic— why not slow down a little bit. Do something that takes a long time (a hike, a puzzle, a nice movie)

Have a Healthy Weekend