The Secret to Longevity is Joy

By: Mala

Longevity seems to be a popular topic lately. Mom is writing two articles with tips for healthy aging for an upcoming issue of Well magazine, so she has been researching longevity. While she has been focusing on topics such as what to eat to increase the diversity of your gut microbiome and how to improve your mobility and range of motion, I think the key to living a long, healthy life is joy.

My parents tell me all the time that my zest for life is one of the qualities they love most about me. Seeing me bounding through tall grass with a stick in my mouth and sliding myself down snowy hillsides makes them smile. I do those things because they make me happy.

February, with Valentine’s Day and Heart Month, is all about love – for yourself and others. Giving and receiving love is another key part of who I am. I enjoy giving kisses and accepting hugs. I love my family, and they know it by the happy noises I make when they come home, no matter how long they’ve been gone.

I’ll turn 11 next month, but I still express my joy like a puppy. I squeak my toys, play with my ball, and run and wrestle with my little sister. When people meet me for the first time, they always think I’m much younger than I am. So…if you were looking for proof of my theory, there it is. My enthusiasm keeps me young. I can still hike for miles and be ready for more the next day because exploring and being in nature are exciting and rejuvenating.

The secret to living a long, healthy life is to do what makes you happy and to treat every day as a reason to be grateful. What brings you joy, and how can you make more time for it in your daily life? Find the answer to that question, and you’ll bring more life to your years.