Post: What is Your Health Span?

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Introduction

Have you given much thought to how healthy you are and how to maintain your health, through out the years? This is where your health span comes into play. Your health span refers to the number of years you live in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities. Unlike life span, which simply measures the number of years you live, health span is a more meaningful metric as it takes into account the quality of your years. That is how many healthy happy years do you have in your life time. Lets explore the concept of health span, and how you can create a wonder healthy life.

Health span family riding bikes. Four members of the family riding along a lake in the autumn.

Definition of Health Span

Health span is a measure of your overall health and well-being that goes beyond just the absence of disease. It encompasses your physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as your ability to engage in daily activities and maintain a high quality of life. Factors such as your lifestyle choices, genetics, and environmental factors can all have an impact on your health span. For everyone of us we will have a different acceptance of what is good health, so when thinking of your health span, thinking about the quality of your life. Where you currently are and how this looks compared to what you accept as good health.

Why is Thinking About Your Health Span Important?

Thinking about health span is important because it encourages you to focus not just on living longer, but on living a healthier, more fulfilling life. By prioritizing all aspects of health, you can take proactive steps to improve your overall health. Thus reducing your risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. For many of us our health trajectory will trend downwards with age, the concept behind health span is to slow this downward trend. Health span is really about taking daily little steps to ensure you have many happy healthy years.

A young family playing soccer outside of there house. The family has a mother, father and two younger kids, both girls. They dressed for autumn type weather with long pants and T shirts
An elderly lady is using TheraBand to strength her shoulders. Prevention of shoulder pain and rotator cuff muscle tears.

 

What Determines Good Health Span?

Several factors can influence a person’s health span, including:

 

    • Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help maintain good health span.

    • Regular Physical Activity: Staying active can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility and overall well-being.

    • Good Mental Health: Taking care of mental health through stress management, social connections, and meaningful activities can contribute to a longer health span.

    • Good sleep behaviour: Prioritizing sleep is essential for both mental and physical health. It is recommend to have between seven and nine hours sleep a night.

    • Avoiding Risky Behaviors: Avoiding smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and other risky behaviors can help maintain good health span.

    • Access to Healthcare: Regular check-ups and preventive care can help catch potential health issues early and prevent them from becoming serious.

How Does Health Span Differ from Life Span?

While life span refers to the total number of years a person lives, health span specifically focuses on the number of years lived in good health. Whilst the definition of good health will vary for all of us, we can all agreed living in good health for as many years as possible is a good outcome. A longer health span means living more years free from chronic diseases and disabilities.

Life Health Span positive image. Elderly couple dressed in casual clothes enjoying a walk in the sun among building set in a french arcade. The couple are happy and smiling. Chiropractic treatment to maintain a healthy life.

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How to Improve Your Health Span

Improving your health span involves making positive lifestyle choices that promote overall health and well-being. It means looking at the aspect of life which determine your health span and taking daily steps to improve or maintain good habits, in these areas. This can include:

 

    • Eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

    • Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, jogging, or swimming.

    • Maintaining a healthy weight and body composition.

    • Prioritizing having seven to nine hours sleep each night.

    • Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

    • Managing stress through relaxation techniques, meditation, or yoga.

    • Staying socially connected and maintaining strong relationships with family and friends.

    • Getting regular check-ups and screenings to detect and treat health issues early.
A grey cement table woith fresh fruit and vegetable place a top the table. The fruit has avocado, tomatoes, apples and lemons. The vegetable is a broccoli and egg. Nutrition
breathing with yoga helps to improve mindful movement. A group of ladies and sitting on yoga mats with core activation to focus on breathing. There are windows in the background.

Why Movement is Important to Your Health Span

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining good health span. In fact exercise is really a cornerstone of improving or maintaining a positive health span. Exercise can improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, flexibility, and balance, all of which contribute to overall well-being. Exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk of chronic diseases, and improves mental health.

When thinking about exercise, people often ask, which exercise is best? Really the first consideration should be which exercise will you enjoy. To maintain a positive mindset to exercise you must enjoy what you are doing. After that the intensity and frequency of exercise should be tailored to your individual needs. Generally speaking exercise should include a combination of cardiovascular exercise, gentle strength training, flexibility and balance training.

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How to Make Health Span a Priority at All Ages

Health span should be a priority at all ages, from childhood through old age. By adopting healthy habits early in life, such as eating a balanced diet, staying active, and avoiding risky behaviours, individuals can lay the foundation for a longer, healthier life. However, it is never too late to start taking care of your health. Even small changes, such as increasing physical activity or improving diet, can have a positive impact on your health span. Furthermore, remember everyone’s health is on a fluctuating spectrum between good and bad, so it is always good to start and maintain healthier habits.

Portrait of happy senior paddling kayak in the lake with man supporting from behind. Mature couple enjoying a day at the lake. The kayak is orange and there are lots of trees in the background

It is Never Too Late to Start

Regardless of your age, it is never too late to start prioritizing your health span. Making positive changes to your lifestyle can have significant benefits for your health and well-being, no matter when you start.

Conclusion

Health span is a valuable concept that emphasizes living a healthier, more fulfilling life. By prioritizing health span and adopting healthy lifestyle choices, you can improve your overall health and well-being, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and enjoy a higher quality of life as you age. It is never to late to start thinking about your health and improve the quality of your life.

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Five Dock Osteopathic and Chiropractic male chiropractor wearing a light blue shirt performing a stretch on the neck of a young female patient. The doctors right hand is placed on the head of the patient and the left hand on the shoulder of the female patient

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