It’s common knowledge that we are living longer and longer and a quick Google search tells me that there are anywhere from 150 to 600 people that are currently 110+ years old. On top of this the aging population in New Zealand continues to grow; the 2013 Census showing 73,000 people above the age of 85, this was a 29.4% increase in this age group compared to the 2006 Census (Yes, I love a good stat.)
I am going somewhere with the points above and that is the conversation around ‘quality of life’, which has been coming up A LOT in practice lately.
We all want to live a long healthy life but what I am seeing is that the quality of our lives is not considered until we reach these later years. Interestingly, the quality of our life in our golden years is largely determined by our choices and habits formed in our earlier years. By no means is this only referring at those 60+, I certainly hear many people in their 20s saying I wish I never did X, Y or Z too.
This raises the question what are you doing and what choices are you making to ensure that you aren’t merely surviving but THRIVING and getting the most out of your life?
There are many different aspects to consider when looking at health and what contributes to one's quality of life ranging from nutrition, exercise habits, sleeping habits, mental health and of course how well the spine and nerve system is functioning to name a few. When we have a good balance across these different areas it gives us the opportunity to not only get through each day as it comes but really thrive and get the most out of life, no matter our age.
Having a spine and nerve system functioning at their absolute best can play a huge role in getting the most out of your life. When your body is functioning well it has a flow-on effect; you are more likely to exercise, more likely to have quality sleep and therefore more likely to have improved mental and emotional health.
The Canadian Heart and Stroke foundation release a video in 2013 with the title “Make Health Last. What will your last 10 years look like?” which compares a man in two situations, ill vs. well. It was certainly an eye-opener, when I first saw it and still is to this day, so I have put a link down below.
Take a minute to rate your overall health out of 10. Where would you put your health on this scale? What could you improve on? Is it time for your next adjustment?
Make Health Last. What will your last 10 years look like?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo6QNU8kHxI
NZ Census 2013