LIFE'S PURPOSE: What is your purpose in life?

Your life’s purpose is the central motivating aim of your life – the reason you get up in the morning. Your purpose guides life decisions, influences behaviour, shapes goals, offers a sense of direction and creates meaning. Can you imagine a long and vital life without a strong sense of purpose?

IDENTITY: What is your daily affirmation that enforces your identity?

Having a strong sense of identity influences the beliefs that you act out. Often, as a default, these can be negative beliefs – ‘I’m so disorganised, I’m terrible at commitment, I can’t do this.’ Your body is listening closely to each of these. By re-creating a positive identity you can reprogram your thinking patterns so that over time the way you think and behave empowers your health rather than disempowers it.

FOOD: What food choices match your needs?

The big questions I get asked most frequently are “What’s the best diet for longevity?” and “What should(n’t) I eat to feel healthy?” There’s no single answer because the truth is, it’s individual to you. It’s not just about what you eat, it’s also when you eat and how you eat. The synergy of each nutrient, flavour, smell, texture, colour – all add to your sensory and nutritional experience. Curating an eating experience that benefits you takes focus, but it results directly in longevity, and more immediately in vitality. 

EXERCISE: How often do you integrate exercise into your day?

Exercise is key to health. Our bodies are designed to move but we’re getting too comfortable being comfortable. Dialing in on an exercise commitment that suits you is the cornerstone to ensuring a strong body and mind.

SLEEP: Which sleep actions can you commit to?

Sleep is your health baseline. The quality of your sleep defines your emotions, behaviors and actions, but it also alters your bio-markers and dramatically affects your vitality and longevity . Sleeping better for a healthier life can be achieved through simple, regular modifications to allow yourself to tune in to your natural circadian sleep rhythms.

TIME OUT: What do you do when you take time out from your busy schedule?

Do you have space in your day to slow down your breathing? Do you journal to write down ideas, thoughts, feelings, goals and affirmations? We’re not designed to go-go-go, we’re designed to oscillate. Without strategic time out you won’t have the space to think, feel, or act in a way that optimises longevity.

YOUR CONNECTIONS: Who do you affect and who affects you?

Social connectivity is directly linked to longevity. ‘Blue Zones’ are areas in the world with the longest living people and these zones have been shown to have one thing in common – community spirit, belonging and connectedness.

LEARNING HABITS: Are you reinforcing habit loops that help you reach your goals?

Habits are behaviours you do on automation. Are your current habits serving a useful, meaningful purpose? Your vitality and longevity depend on your ability to restructure your habits.

EMOTIONS: How do you manage your emotional state?

Stress is almost a given in our busy, time-pressured, noise-filled lives. But, when you are stressed or overwhelmed with emotion, you are less likely to engage in healthy habits. Life is designed to throw you challenges and create roadblocks, creating difficult thoughts and emotions, but it’s your resilience and response to these emotions that will determine your long-term health outcomes.

BONUS: MOTIVATION AND MINDSET: What's driving you to be who you want to be?

Before you can make any changes to your lifestyle you have to make a commitment. This is the beginning of your lifestyle journey. Stickability, grit and persistence will embed a lifestyle that fuels a long, happy, healthy life.