The only thing we can really be sure of in life (apart from having to take breaths of air to live) is that we are going to die. Not fun, but a fact.

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Now that got your attention!

With the recent passing of some treasured celebrities – legend, David Bowie (69); actor, Alan Rickman (69); Glenn Frey, founding member of the Eagles (67), it brings home that even these people, with all their fame and fortune, cannot avoid death, or get cured from some of the diseases we are faced with today.

Not that I dwell on death that often, but I am sure that, like me, you get that wake-up call when you hear of a loved one passing at a young age. ‘Shoot, I must get those medical tests done’ or ‘I have to start taking better care of myself’. (I urge you to do both; it’s never too late to start.)

Surely you want to ballroom dance your way into your eighties and beyond, or finally become that semi-decent golf player, which you never had the time to do when you were working and supporting dependants. Later decades can be so fulfilling, as you finally get the time to do the things you always wanted to do.

Suffering from a chronic illness, or lacking in energy or spirit, need not be the case as we get older. Look at Clint Eastwood, 85, who directed his biggest commercial movie, American Sniper, two years ago; Sean Connery at 85 claims he is having the best time of his life; and Helen Mirren at 70 looks as stunning as any actress half her age, and continues to out-beat them at winning best actress awards.

It continues to fathom how many of us, including those in the medical field, make little connection between how we take care of ourselves now, and the future state of our health. Sure, genetics, and maybe a little luck plays a role; but a healthy lifestyle incorporating a nutritious diet, regular exercise,  avoiding smoking, stress and excessive alcohol, will determine not only how long we live but also the quality of life in our later decades.

We tend to forget how precious life is – and when our ‘living’ is in jeopardy, yes, there’s the high cost of medical care, side effects of medication, but also the undue stress and pain our loved ones endure as they ‘will us’ back to full health.


Can all this suffering be avoided by investing a little time and effort in our health now?

I compare these ‘healthy’ investments to putting pennies into our piggy bank. We are fully aware that the many little coins accumulate over time to have a big impact on our bank balance – our wealth. Similarly, all the small ways we can look after our body and our mind now, have a big impact on our immunity balance – our health. And, at the end of the day, what’s the point in working so hard on our bank balance if we don’t have the physical and mental energy to enjoy it. Our health must take priority.

For instance, we don’t become super-healthy after one nutritious meal, and we don’t get rich after making a deposit of $20 into our savings account. But, over time, many of these actions add up – and this is how we need to start behaving if we want to have fun in our later decades, and not just ‘exist’ – we want to LIVE!

Whatever you have done and achieved in the past, only your healthy mind and body has enabled you to do so. Whatever you wish to achieve in the future, whatever your dreams and aspirations, only your healthy mind and body will get you there.

Make the time to invest in your health now. You will never regret it.

You’ve one body - love it. You’ve one life – live it.

 

Visit the Health & Vitality page to find out more about Liza's business.

 

_{Edited by Nedda Chaplin}

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