Longevity... what does it mean?

I've really started to think about this since I turned 50. Longevity to me means the length of time I will have on this earth and how well I am going to live it all based on my genetics and my lifestyle choices that I make. How well is my body on the inside so that all the things I love to do can keep on happening? Are my cells healthy? Are my body systems all in good working condition? This question is one I do ask myself all the time and regular health checks really help here. What I consume (nutrition and literature) have been really important aspects as to how I feel about myself. What I am eating is one I am most strict about and then comes what I am reading and listening to.

My goal is to reach an age (whatever my destiny) where my holistic self is in good working condition. By this I mean that my body on the inside is healthy and well and on the outside I am still able to move, paddle board, ride my bike, work in my garden, do my pilates and yoga and do all the tasks around the house independently. I want to be hanging out with my friends, meditating, reading and cooking up beautiful nourishing food. I want to know that I have done everything possible to provide myself the opportunity to be disease free and to keep myself living in my own home.

Have you ever thought about your longevity and what may be in store for you? I have heard people say things like "my mum died of cancer and my dad had dementia so I guess I know what I'm in for". I don't believe this at all and I do believe that we all have the chance to make healthier choices to give ourselves the best possible chance at having a crack at a healthier life in our latter years. I look at my mum, she is 78 this year, and she inspires me every single day. We lost dad nearly 3 years ago now and he had a terribly quick and aggressive battle with cancer. Mum has since moved out of the family home and into a village of over 55's. She is living her best life, she's active, has so many people around her, friends, social activities and belongs to a wonderful over 65 community group called the Silver Salties who are active and very social. She has always cared about her health and this has put her in good stead. I'm proud of her and know she is on the right track to live longer and healthier.

So, in my exploration of what is in it for me I've discovered that by taking a holistic approach to ageing and ageing well I am going to be giving myself the utmost best chance of living how I want to. I look after my internal health, my physical health, my mental health and I use the resources that I have around me. I look at life in the positive and always looking forward to what my purpose is for tomorrow.

Here's something to ponder over... What does longevity mean to you and how do you see yourself in your latter years?