We Live Longer, We Live Well: A Guide to Aging with Vitality and Purpose

In "We Live Longer, We Live Well," renowned philosopher Mario Sergio Cortella and geriatrician Terezinha Azeredo Rios offer a comprehensive and inspiring guide to aging with vitality and purpose. Drawing on their extensive research and experience, the authors provide practical advice and insights on how to make the most of our later years.

Aging: A Time of Opportunity

Cortella and Rios challenge the conventional view of aging as a time of decline. They argue that aging can be a period of great growth and fulfillment, a time to explore new interests, develop new skills, and deepen our relationships with loved ones.

The authors provide a wealth of evidence to support their claims. They show that older adults are just as capable of learning and adapting as younger adults, and that they may even have some advantages, such as greater wisdom and experience. They also discuss the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and staying engaged in life, both of which can contribute to a longer, healthier, and happier life.

The Four Pillars of Healthy Aging

Cortella and Rios identify four key pillars of healthy aging:

1. Physical health: This includes maintaining a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep.
2. Mental health: This includes staying mentally active, challenging ourselves intellectually, and managing stress.
3. Social health: This includes maintaining strong relationships with family and friends, and staying involved in our community.
4. Spiritual health: This includes finding meaning and purpose in our lives, and connecting with our higher power.

The authors provide practical tips and strategies for strengthening each of these pillars, and they show how they can work together to create a foundation for a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.

Living a Life of Purpose

One of the most important keys to healthy aging is finding a sense of purpose in our lives. Cortella and Rios argue that purpose is not something that we find once and for all, but rather something that we must continually create and recreate throughout our lives.

They offer a number of suggestions for finding purpose, such as:

• Exploring our interests and passions: What do we love to do? What makes us feel alive?
• Setting goals: What do we want to achieve in our lives? What do we want to be remembered for?
• Giving back to our community: How can we use our skills and talents to make a difference in the world?

By finding purpose in our lives, we can create a sense of meaning and fulfillment that will help us to age with vitality and grace.

Conclusion

"We Live Longer, We Live Well" is a must-read for anyone who wants to age with vitality and purpose. Cortella and Rios provide a wealth of practical advice and insights that can help us to make the most of our later years. This book is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in living a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.