In today’s chaotic world where our attention is fragmented and everything seems to move at warp speed, the concept of longevity—living a long, healthy life—is becoming more prevalent. As science continues to extend our understanding of aging and health, it’s clear that the secret to longevity isn’t found solely in medical advancements, but in how we care for ourselves daily. Self-care is the foundation of a long, fulfilling life, involving physical, mental, and emotional well-being. By understanding and embracing self-care, we can unlock the key to not only living longer but living better. As I often say in our LYT classes, you are the engineer of your own health. If you need some guidance on how to best prime yourself for overall wellness, here are some tips.
Physical Self-Care: Nourishing the Body
Your relationship with your body is the longest relationship you will have so it makes sense to tend to yourself above all else. In LYT, we aim to help you feel more at home in your body through education and encouragement and by offering many paths to get there through our online LYT Daily platform. Please remember this and let it be the anthem of your endeavor: taking care of your body is one of the most fundamental aspects of self-care! The pillars of physical health are the foundation for longevity and for all elements of a healthy ecosystem, the garden of well-being. Keep your body tended with three main practices: regular exercise, proper nutrition, and sufficient sleep. Engaging in regular physical activity boosts cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, improves balance, and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. The benefits of exercise extend beyond the body, influencing mental clarity, mood, and even cognitive function as we age. When we are aligned with our mechanics, strong in our center via our core, and agile in our movement, we create durable and happier bodies to shepherd us through the decades. While LYT is primarily focused on the physicality of body sustenance, nutrition and sleep are crucial comrades in the goal for energized living. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains fuels the body with essential nutrients. Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, low in processed foods and sugars, has been linked to longer lifespans and a reduced risk of age-related diseases. I know my plant-based diet has kept my energy sustained and helped me recover quicker from setbacks or illness. Infuse more plants in your diet! Moving and eating well will also help your sleep, a pivotal time where we rest and heal. During sleep, we bolster our immunity, repair cells, and rejuvenate both physically and mentally. Poor sleep has been linked to a host of health issues, from weakened immunity to cognitive decline, impeding our longevity quest. I use the Oura ring to track my sleep cycles and supplement with magnesium and bioidentical progesterone (made from sweet potato) to quell any menopausal symptoms that disrupt sleep. Waking up refreshed sets us up for success and improves the likelihood that our self-care strategies are effective!
Mental Self-Care: Keeping the Mind Sharp
Mental health is equally important in the journey to longevity. As we age, maintaining cognitive function and emotional well-being can make the difference between merely living longer and enjoying those extra years. I frequently comment in my LYT classes that we need to stimulate the body and the brain through challenging movements. Exploring various and novel ways to move your body is hugely beneficial for the body, brain and nervous system. Learning new skills is mentally demanding on and off the mat, you can continue to achieve this by solving puzzles, reading, and engaging in creative hobbies, which help to maintain cognitive function and even delay the onset of dementia. My husband and I now regularly do puzzles and games with the New York Times app. The Spelling Bee is addictively hard! When the kids were younger and we had less time to ourselves, we tried to play Scrabble or Bananagrams regularly. Your brain craves this kind of mental energy, but it also needs to be balanced with quiet moments. Practices such as mindfulness and meditation reduce stress and enhance emotional regulation. Whether in stillness or through a walk in nature, practicing presence through mindful action alleviates stress. It is well-established that chronic stress accelerates aging and contributes to a range of health issues. By cultivating mindfulness, we can mitigate these effects, improve focus, and foster a greater sense of peace. Peace also comes with community and maintaining strong social ties is vital for mental health. Loneliness and isolation, especially in older age, can have negative effects on both mental and physical health, leading to depression and even a shorter lifespan. Staying connected with friends, family, and communities fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. The LYT team and I often reflect on how much our online and in-person community has promoted a heightened sense of well-being, during the pandemic years and even now. We have a global community with a shared purpose and the online accessibility has opened new and lovely ways to connect with this ignited passion for self-care and collective health.
Emotional Self-Care: Nurturing the Spirit
Our emotional well-being is the often-overlooked third pillar of self-care, yet it’s crucial for longevity. Emotional health involves understanding and managing our emotions, cultivating resilience, and fostering a sense of meaning and fulfillment in life. Having a sense of purpose has been linked to longevity; whether through work, hobbies, volunteering, or family, finding meaning in life gives us motivation and improves our overall outlook. In many of the world’s “Blue Zones,” where people live the longest, a sense of purpose is a common factor in their cultures. In LYT, I believe we all feel the purpose of our practice, where science meets spirit and where we celebrate our growth as well as others in the community. Challenging and celebrating our bodies through our practice boosts our emotional and physical resilience, building a hardiness to carry into our health span. Through our online LYT Daily platform and in our teacher trainings, people share the classes or lessons they love and the impact of a particular practice on their body, mind and spirit. Reading or hearing your words stokes my spirit every time and brims my heart with gratitude. I truly feel lucky every day that I can be a part of this movement and receiving your support bolsters my longevity! My gratitude for you is juice for my spirit because developing a mindset of gratitude and cultivating positivity can lead to a longer, happier life. Studies show that people with positive attitudes about aging live longer than those with negative perceptions. Practicing gratitude increases happiness, reduces depression, and promotes a sense of well-being and can give us grace in the darker moments. When my dad died over five years ago, it was my LYT community that sustained me in my grief. I showed up for you and you held me with your presence and love. I am beyond grateful that the safe sanctity of our community allowed me to continue my self-care and purpose while having the resilience to journey through intense sadness.
Physical, mental, and emotional health are interconnected, and each one influences the other. A holistic approach to self-care means making conscious choices that support overall well-being rather than focusing on isolated efforts. The key to longevity through self-care isn’t about drastic changes or quick fixes; it’s about consistency. Small, intentional actions performed daily have a cumulative effect over time. Daily movement, nutritious food, prioritizing sleep, and nurturing emotional health should become habits rather than occasional practices. By integrating self-care into our routines, we build a strong foundation for long-term health. Longevity is not just about adding years to life, but about adding life to those years; self-care, when practiced holistically, enhances the quality of life at every stage. If you need help in creating habits for self-care, join our LYT movement, where we merge the mindfulness of yoga with the intelligence of physical therapy to build your confidence and capacity. We educate you about your home, your body, and strengthening your body is the best investment you deserve to make! By taking care of our bodies, minds, and emotions, we give ourselves the best chance to live not just longer but with vitality, joy, and purpose. Get LYT and live long and well!
