Live Long, Die Short (12 page)

My Score (question 5) ______________

My Cumulative Score (questions 1–5) ______________

6.   What is the difference between your current weight and what you weighed at age eighteen?

(Note: This is only a rough gauge of healthy weight. For most of us over fifty years old, we were at a healthy adult weight at age eighteen. A better indicator of healthy weight is the body mass index, or BMI. You can easily calculate your BMI by using the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s calculator at
www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi
.)

You are at higher risk for a number of conditions associated with being overweight or obese (see the BMI calculation). Many of these conditions are serious threats to your independence, quality of life, and, in fact, your life itself. Conditions associated with being overweight or obese include coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and high blood fats. Please see
Tip Five
for guidance. It is very important that you review
chapter 3
for a realistic approach to weight loss and health. Tips One and Two will also offer some sound advice. Be patient. Be realistic. Be persistent. You can do this. You will reap huge rewards with each pound lost. Go for it!

Like most people, you have probably very gradually added weight over many years. You probably don’t even consider yourself overweight, but the BMI calculation should be your guide. If indeed your BMI classifies you as overweight, you are at moderately higher risk for a number of potentially serious conditions: coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, cancer, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high blood fats, and more. Many of these conditions can adversely affect your aging experience and even threaten your independence. Please see
Tip Five
for guidance. Tips One and Two may also be of some interest. It is very important that you review
chapter 3
for a realistic approach to weight loss and health. Be patient. Be realistic. Be persistent. You can achieve a healthier weight and reap significant health, quality-of-life, and aging benefits.

Congratulations! Despite the decades it’s been since you were eighteen years old, you have maintained an apparent healthy weight. Calculate your BMI (see above instructions) to be sure. If your BMI is in the recommended range, you are at lower risk for many serious chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and stoke. Please consult Tips Five and Three for additional dietary guidance. If indeed you decide to make a change in your lifestyle, eating habits, or weight, please return to
chapter 3
for guidance. Keep up the great work!

My Score (question 6) ______________

My Cumulative Score (questions 1–6) ______________

7.   How many times today did you feel in a rush?

You are potentially at high risk for the adverse effects of chronic stress. The list of possible stress-related diseases is extensive and includes heart disease, depression, some cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, and even dementia. Since most stress is, in fact, self-induced, you have the opportunity to lower your risks substantially. This is important not only for disease prevention but for quality of life and relationships. Please consult Tips Five and Seven for an understanding of the role of
stress and for some stress-reduction recommendations. As you attempt to make changes, remember the advice from
chapter 3
. This is a challenge for you, but you have the potential to achieve great rewards. Good luck!

Although you are probably like most people you know when it comes to feeling rushed and stressed, that doesn’t help the fact that you are potentially at some risk for the adverse effects of stress. The list of possible stress-related diseases is extensive and includes heart disease, depression, some cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, and even dementia. Since most stress is, in fact, self-induced, you have the opportunity to lower your risks substantially. This is important not only for disease prevention but for quality of life and relationships. Please consult Tips Five and Seven for an understanding of the role of stress and for some stress-reduction recommendations. As you attempt to make changes, remember the approach outlined in
chapter 3
.

Congratulations! If this represents your usual day, you are unusual compared to your peers. Chronic stress is rampant throughout our society, as we accept over-scheduling and overstimulation as a part of normal life. You realize that most stress is self-induced and is therefore something we can control through our lifestyle decisions. I’m hopeful you can continue your mindful approach to life, your realistic expectations, and your mindful use of technology. Tips Five and Seven can provide some validation of your current lifestyle. Keep up the great work!

My Score (question 7) ______________

My Cumulative Score (questions 1–7) ______________

8.   How much do you worry?

Welcome to a very large group, yet one with high risk for a long list of stress-related disorders and associated lower quality of life. You may feel that you have reason to worry, but in truth, worry accomplishes no good, instead potentially causes much bad, and is for the most part a
self-induced phenomenon. Honestly, it is. It is essential that we all learn that when confronted with a difficult situation, we fix it, walk away, or accept it. There are no other solutions. Chronic worry about situations is a major threat. Please consult Tips Five and Seven. Tips Eight, Nine, and Ten will also offer some assistance in your search for peace.
Chapter 3
will guide you in your journey of change. I wish you success.

Clearly you recognize the potential deleterious effects of worry on health and aging. It’s true: none of us are free of worry, even though that freedom is possible and an important part of authentic health and successful aging. Even a little worry is potentially harmful. Don’t
worry
about it. Rather, consult Tips Five and Seven for guidance. Remember the advice in
chapter 3
regarding making change.

Congratulations! I’d like to give you more points. You have broken the code for authentic health, successful aging, and a high quality of life. Fix it. Walk away. Or accept it. Those are the options. Worry is a waste of time. I applaud your lifestyle choice—for indeed, it is a choice. I hope your choice has a positive effect on those you come in contact with. It’s a rare quality that we need more of. Keep up the good work!

My Score (question 8) ______________

My Cumulative Score (questions 1–8) ______________

9.   How often are you thinking about things other than what you’re currently doing?

Of course, you are not alone, but this disease of chattering mind puts you at high risk for a long list of stress-related disorders, for lower-quality relationships, for lower quality of life, and for an absence of peace. Runaway thoughts prevent us from making good decisions and appreciating what is important in our lives. Some would call this the scourge of our age. If you were to work on any of your problem areas, I recommend you consider this one a very high priority. It is not easy. I recommend
you review Tips Seven and Five. Additionally, I recommend Tips Eight, Nine, and Ten. I wish you success in this important journey.

You are not alone, but that will not be comforting as you struggle with this risk to the quality of your life and relationships, as well as to your health and aging. The ability to “be in the moment” is rare but comes with very high rewards. As long as we accept chattering mind as normal, we will not seek out readily available strategies to move toward a lifestyle more consistent with our origins as a species and therefore more conducive to authentic health. Tips Five and Seven can assist you in your journey toward this lifestyle. Good luck!

Congratulations. You are my hero. Moreover, you are the type of person I enjoy having discussions with. You have achieved a lifestyle that is rare but that is hopefully becoming more common. Being “in the moment” allows you to have high-quality relationships and a higher quality of life and significantly lowers your risk of stress-related disorders. I applaud your accomplishment and recommend Tips Five and Seven to validate your lifestyle choice. Keep up the good work!

My Score (question 9) ______________

My Cumulative Score (questions 1–9) ______________

10. Are you pleased with the quality of your sleep?

I’m sorry. This is indeed an affliction and it puts you at high risk for accidents and stress-related disorders, including depression, and lowers your overall quality of life. I highly recommend that you discuss this with your doctor to ensure there is not a medical condition causing your poor sleep. If a medical condition is not responsible, there are multiple strategies to improve sleep, including those contained in the US Department of Health and Human Services booklet
Your Guide to Healthy Sleep
. For many, stress or worry is the cause of poor sleep. For this, I recommend Tips Five, Seven, Eight, Nine, and Ten.
Remember to make small changes toward your goal, and revisit
chapter 3
for advice on change.

Sleep is critical to us for optimal functioning as well as for lowering the risk for many disorders, including depression and other stress-related conditions. I recommend you review the booklet
Your Guide to Healthy Sleep
put out by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Make sure you ask your physician if you have any conditions that might interfere with your sleep. If not, it may be stress or worry that is interfering. Consult Tips Five and Seven. Also review Tips Eight, Nine, and Ten for additional guidance.

Congratulations! You have a gift that will serve you well, keeping you healthy and aging well, and giving you a higher quality of life and lower risk of disease. Whatever you’re doing, it’s working for you. Keep up the good work!

My Score (question 10) ______________

My Cumulative Score (questions 1–10) ______________

11. How many times did you laugh today (not just smile, but laugh for longer than two seconds)?

Sorry to hear that. Laughing is associated with healthier immune systems; lowered risk for many disorders, including depression; better relationships; and a higher quality of life. Even forced laughter is healthy. Beyond that, addressing worry and stress can be a significant step toward laughter and its associated benefits. Please review Tips Ten, Five, and Seven. Tip Eight can also be useful. The list of stress-related diseases is extensive and includes heart disease, depression, some cancers, gastrointestinal disorders, and even dementia. Since most stress is, in fact, self-induced, you have the opportunity to lower your risks substantially. This is important not only for disease prevention but for quality of life and relationships. As you attempt to make changes, revisit
chapter 3
and remember that change should be in small steps. Good luck in your journey. Even small gains will feel good.

I’ll take it. Even one laugh is beneficial—and the day’s not over! Truly, laughter stimulates our immune system, improves our mood, and increases our quality of life. Look for more opportunities to laugh, for with laughter will come reduced risk of many conditions, including, of course, depression and, potentially, dementia. Review Tip Ten. You may also find good advice in Tips Seven, Five, and Nine. Keep laughing!

Congratulations! You’re the kind of person I regularly seek out. Your ability to see humor and to laugh is serving you well in reducing the risk of many stress-related disorders, including depression. Your immune system is benefiting, as are your relationships and your overall quality of life. Keep laughing!

My Score (question 11) ______________

My Cumulative Score (questions 1–11) ______________

12. How long has it been since you last interacted with a child?

Both you and some children are missing out. I understand how this can happen, but it need not, and the benefits to your health and aging make it even more imperative that you seek out opportunities that are not available to you now. Although we cannot point to any particular disease caused by lack of association with children, we are clear that it is a fundamental human requirement for optimum functioning. Children are the continuance of our lives—viewed on a grand scale, our lives are more relevant because of them. Whether it’s about our enjoyment, purpose, or socialization, children play an essential role. It’s easy to fall into a lifestyle where children are not present. It’s easy to assume life is easier without children. I challenge you to interact with children; the fulfillment they bring will, I’m certain, become obvious to you. Please consult Tips Nine, Eight, and Ten. There’s a new life awaiting you. Good luck on your journey.