Increase Your Healthspan
Be Like Gordon
“Your health will likely run out before your money. Invest proportionally.” - readsmathforfun on Reddit
Last year I met a Canadian man named Gordon, deep in the Ecuadorian jungle. We were both on a week-long trip to experience all the unique wildlife and birds, him by himself and me with the kids. The days started very early and involved multiple excursions - sometimes we’d be on boats, but there was a lot of walking, exploring at night time, climbing 40m towers to look out over the tree tops. Gordon travels a lot, at least three times a year. And he does proper intrepid travel too—four-wheel driving in Oman, dog sledding in Canada, and, of course, going on safaris into the Amazon. Here’s the thing: Gordon is 87-years-old.
Gordon is the perfect example of someone with a long healthspan. Unlike lifespan, which counts the number of years you’re alive, healthspan focuses on how well you live those years, in good health, free from the diseases and disabilities that come with ageing. I want to be Gordon when I’m his age. Living life to the fullest, not held back by a creaking body.
For early retirees, the case for focusing on your healthspan is strong—retirement has serious potential health risks. It is linked to a 40% rise in cardiovascular incidents like heart attacks or strokes. Retirement can also lead to higher blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, weight gain, a higher risk of cancer, and a greater likelihood of diabetes. The chance of developing any chronic health condition jumps by 21% for retirees. Memory scores decline by 25%, and the risk of major depressive disorder soars by 40%. Scary stuff.
I’ve been lucky that my health hasn't slowed me down yet. I’ve had no major issues and, if anything, I’ve gotten healthier as I’ve gotten older. But I know that won’t last unless I invest in the basics: exercise regularly, prioritise good sleep, eat well, and get regular check-ups. These are the topics of the next three posts.
Indeed ‘health’ vs ‘life’ span was something I became aware of, and gave consideration to when I finished work earlier than anticipated. When looking ahead to all of the years I was facing without ‘traditional’ work, it was important for me to realize that not all of those years would be active years versus years when I’m alive. It does make the remaining length of my life feel less daunting on days when I wonder what to do with myself now that I’m not working! And there’s a bit of seize the day in there too :)