Frequently Asked Questions

 

 
Below is a quick guide containing some of the most often asked questions about living a super long, super healthy life:

6 Frequently Asked Questions about Healthy Living

On instantDane.tv, we approach successful living holistically — that means that we explore longevity strategies along the full circle of wellness, not just a couple of narrow topics. It’s a lot of exciting information, but even still, there are certain key questions that seem to keep coming up. Here are six of them.

Question #1: How can I live life to the fullest?

Living life to the fullest means figuring out what fulfills you, creating a plan that is unique to your goals and desires, then putting that plan into action.

Above all, it means making your physical health your top priority. When you have your physical health, you have a foundation upon which you can live a passionate, joyful life. All things are possible when you are healthy.

I think there are some universal guidelines for living life to its fullest. The challenge is that, in our current culture, many of them are easier said than done. Among them:

• ⊙ have your passion and your means of making a living be one and the same, or, have a hobby that you absolutely love.

 

• ⊙ releasing the past. Not ruminating on old hurts but, instead, learning from past mistakes and moving on.

 

• ⊙ engaging the law of action. Not justifying an unfulfilling present with false hopes about the future. Hope can be disempowering, and can keep us stuck in unbearable situations. One cannot rely only on hopes of better times. Instead, put yourself in the driver’s seat and make it happen.

 

• ⊙ anything that minimizes stress, and offers some peace-of-mind, is priceless. Efficiency systems, regular exercise, and nutrient-rich diets can make a huge difference. I’m not advocating self-medicating on pharmaceuticals, alcohol, sugar, et al. I’m in favor of getting to the roots of the stress, and following the necessary steps to create permanent change.

We may or may not even know what we really want. If we know, we may not know how to make it happen. We are all on a journey, and there are methods to course-correct on that journey — turning disempowering hopes into empowering realities.

Question #2: How do I make a green smoothie?

 

• ▸ start out by picking up your dark, leafy greens: spinach, kale, arugula, swiss chard, etc.
• ▸ wash the greens and put them in a salad spinner
• ▸ let them dry and put them in separate bags
• ▸ pour one bag of your leafy greens into a blender with a very powerful motor
• ▸ add your extra ingredients, such as fruit, seeds or nuts, plant protein powder, spices, coconut, rice or hemp milk (optional), and ice

Ratios will change as your taste buds evolve. At first, you might want less dark leafy greens and more sweet fruits. Over time, the reverse is likely to be true. This is not a diet. Don’t force the changes, let your cravings dictate the ingredients.

It’s good to mix up your recipes and experiment. This way, it doesn’t get stale. Plus, you’ll cover more of the nutrient-spectrum.

Question #3: How can I live forever?

With 7 billion of us (on an exponential curve that would stand your hair on end), I don’t think the end goal is for each of us to become immortal warriors like from the movie The Highlander. However, if you’re a spiritual person, then you probably already believe (as I do) that our souls do live forever, and therefore, we’re really talking about how to make our bodies last longer and to be as active and energized as we can while we’re here in this earthly lifetime.
 

Living Forever, Literally

“Forever” can be literal or figurative. In a literal sense, short of going into outer space, uploading your brain to a computer (or some comparable transhumanist means), or cryogenically freezing yourself in hopes of some future miracle immortality mechanism, one answer might lie in telomeres. If our strands of DNA can self-repair perfectly each time, we will have mastered one of the key factors of aging — and we’re closer to achieving this than you might think.

Living Forever, Figuratively

In a figurative sense, there are a couple of ways to think about this.

Living forever can simply mean leaving a legacy. There is a Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Ernest Becker, called The Denial of Death, wherein he primarily expounds upon the works of Otto Rank (a brilliant contemporary of Freud). It’s a good read that explores this idea in great depth. But remember, even legacies are not eternal. Sure, Cleopatra is a name we all know, but nothing lasts forever and, in the full perspective of human history, Cleopatra did not live all that long ago. More cultures and religions have been lost than we will ever know. It’s all a matter of time. Try naming just one pre-Mesopotamian historical figure.

“…when you improve your physical,
mental, emotional, and spiritual health,
you are setting the stage
to add more years to your life –
and more life to your years”

The point here is that maybe what’s most important to come to terms with is that we are not meant to live forever — literally or figuratively. But we can have the longest, healthiest life possible — with as much joy, love, and meaning as we can fit into one long life!

Another figurative interpretation would simply be using “forever” loosely. In the Longevity Lifestyle Kit, we explore ways to add years, and even decades to your life. So, if we use “live forever” as an exaggerated superlative meaning “live much, much longer,” then we’re back in the realm of reality (and healthy thinking).

A Life Beautifully Lived: an Integrated Perspective

We need to look at the bigger picture here. I’m reminded of a particular Theoretical Physicist who, though not the first to propose the idea, has been very vocal in recent years about the “stages of civilization.” He proposes that the next step for us is a fully-paved “city planet,” much like Coruscant in Star Wars: Episode I. What a proponent of such a civilization demonstrates is that just because one is a brilliant theoretical physicist, does not mean he or she is not in dire need of an Ecology 101 course.

The same is true here. A planet where no one dies, ever, is only appealing in a vacuum. In reality, it’s probably an overpopulation nightmare. But, living the longest, best life possible is a different story.

Question #4: What is the longevity lifestyle?

Again, if we’re looking at the “how can I live forever” question as an exaggerated term for living much, much longer — and much much better — then the answer is multifaceted. In a nutshell, it comes down to creating new habits in various aspects of your life (not just the obvious ones), and making them stick.

When you improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, you are setting the stage to add more years to your life — and more life to your years. The longevity lifestyle is about living the longest, happiest life possible by optimizing your thinking, feelings, and habits.

Question #5: What constitutes a healthy relationship and how do I cultivate one?

A healthy relationship relies, perhaps above all else, on reciprocity and healthy communication. Another key aspect is understanding romantic energy. There is a polarity that acts as a magic key, unlocking the power of romantic energy. Opposite energies attract.

There are several basic relational styles:

• ⊙ The Drama Triangle ~ One partner takes on the role of “persecutor” and the other takes on the role of “victim.” The “persecutor” treats the “victim” however he/she chooses, and then the “victim” plays “martyr.” It’s a codependent game, and sometimes roles even switch. The triangle is ultimately made-up of persecutor, rescuer, and victim. The persecutor intimidates. The rescuer seduces with guilt. The victim, believe it or not, is most powerful in the role of doormat.

 

• ⊙ The Less-Risk ~ Anything but codependent, these two people come together as autonomous, self-sufficient individuals. The style is less risk, because it’s sort of playing house — roommates who have sex, but are free (if a better offer comes along). There is nothing wrong with a convenient, Less Risk relationship. It’s probably healthier than The Drama Triangle. But some people seek more intimacy.

 

• ⊙ The Union of Souls ~ Only the bravest attain the Union of Souls because it means facing fears, changing some habits, and compromising. But the payoff is huge. In the Union of Souls the potential exists to be deeply understood by your partner.

Question #6: Is it too late to get back into shape after age 40?

 

The answer, of course, is a resounding no. Is it more difficult to get back in shape post-40? Often times, yes. But I’d argue that it’s actually a more important phase of your life to be fit. We can get away with a lot more in our teens and twenties.

Getting back in shape doesn’t have to be a chore. Mix up your workouts, just like you’d mix up your smoothie recipes. Keep yourself from plateauing — and from getting bored! And finally, I hate to say it, but the truth is a big part of healthy living after age 40 has to do with preparation and being organized. You need a time budget and a detailed plan — it’s just not going to happen on its own or if you “wing it.”

“No one, and I mean no one,
knows your body better than you do.”

You know, I lost 4 inches from my waste in no time when I started drinking green smoothies. I wasn’t trying to lose weight at all. I was just trying to get all of my nutrients. The weight loss was a happy side effect. Astounding as it is, the risk of dying increases by about 25% for every additional 4 inches around your waist. So, you could say that I increased my chances of living by 25% when I made the switch to green smoothies.

In terms of physical workouts, you have a lot of choices. Depending on your age and physical condition, you may want to focus on lower impact workouts. Pilates is one fantastic and fun option!

When we are younger, weightlifting is actually more beneficial to our respective metabolisms than cardio. As we age, the reverse is true. Nevertheless, some kind of strength training is important. As andropause sets in, and testosterone levels drop, we lose significant strength and muscle mass. A protein-rich diet, coupled with strength training, is an excellent way to get fit and stay fit (and of course, you can consult your physician about other methods of increasing testosterone and/or generally combating andropause). Keeping yourself active is a very important part of reducing the symptoms of certain types of arthritis, as well as prevention for back problems, etc. You don’t have to do P90X, just go at your own rate and know your limitations. No one, and I mean no one, knows your body better than you do.

Getting back in shape through a healthy anti-aging diet and exercise will relieve stress and optimize bodily functions. It’s yet another important means of combating degeneration. In fact, all of the supplements and other fancy stuff one can implement as means of healthy living are secondary to a nutrient-rich diet, regular exercise, and stress reduction (all of which are intimately wed).