Dear OSMA Community,

Are we at the end of lock-downs, QR codes, quarantine, isolation, masks and social distancing, and so on?  Yes, we can assume so – and it’s time to make some new self-promises for future wellbeing. Are we ready to invest something into our balance/soundness of mind, positive thinking, kindness, happiness, and, above all, good health?

Geroscience, although it studies healthy longevity in older people, is very instructive in its findings apply to all generations. What to do, first of all, for a healthy (long) lifespan, which is a prerequisite for anyone’s wellbeing? Its simplest and most powerful recommendations are those that we can follow ourselves before seeking some sort of help from doctors, pills, or supplements.

Based on the evolutionary perspective, geroscientists have ascertained that nutrition, physical activity, and management of stress are keys to a balanced, healthy lifespan. For example, eating less (calorie restriction) than the present abundances offer or force us to eat has a very beneficial effect on our health (less chronic disease). Similarly, adjusted regular physical activities can improve our physical and mental health significantly and thus our wellbeing. Everyday mental stress is a common fellow traveler in our lives because of our habits, adjustment to the environment, fulfillment of (un)realistic wishes or expectations from society, and it causes mental and physical ill-health. Stress can be managed, though, if we come to terms with ourselves and search for the qualities of life that best suit us in our quest for balanced wellbeing.

Studies of centenarians (over 100 years) have revealed the secrets of a long and healthy life as they have described it:

• helping those in need;
• keeping some sort of faith;
• keeping busy and active;
• moderation in eating;
• physical activity and avoidance of “bad” habits (smoking, drinking);
• social and family support;
• luck or good genes.

For those of us without good genes, there is also the prospect/hope of a healthy and balanced life but we will have to work for it – as geroscientists have said – nutrition, physical activity, and management of stress!

Well, OSMA offers some of these possibilities – look through the Themed weekends for body and soul in spring and autumn and find something for yourself.

So, keep going with this awareness in everyday lives, and very welcome!