My Priorities for a Long and Healthy Life at Age 37

I am 37. I turn 38 on June 30th.

One of my goals in life is to stay as healthy as possible until I die. Because what’s the point in growing old while suffering?

Here are my current three priorities for a long healthy life:

1. Minimize stress, regulate my nervous system + release past trauma energies.

Stress and trauma limit our lifespan and make us sick - I really don’t take this fact lightly anymore.

Chronic stress impacts our bodies more than we realize and most of us are numb to its negative effects. I basically lived 20 years of my life in anxious mode without being aware of it. It took its toll on my nervous system and health. Hence, why I’m so bullish about Breathwork as a way to regulate the nervous system and therefore stress hormones. 

Plus: Healing trauma. We all have experienced some form of it in our lives and if we don’t process and release it, it keeps living in our bodies and psyche, causing havoc in the form of chronic health issues, autoimmune disorders, anxiety, depression.. I have already done a lot of inner healing work over the years and tried out lots of different modalities, but it’s an ongoing process. What has helped me tremendously: somatic experiencing and somatic psychotherapy as well as transformational Breathwork. 

2. Work on physical mobility and flexibility.

After more than a year of not surfing, getting back into it is showing me all my physical weak spots. In addition, months and months of lockdown and closed gyms resulted in procrastination and slacking with a regular workout routine. And sitting for hours on end inside during winter didn’t help.

Naturally, I got injured after a few weeks of hitting the waves and am now forced to stay on dry land for a bit due to a hairline rib fracture and an injury on my foot.

I am seeing an awesome physiotherapist from Finland here in Sri Lanka, who is helping me develop a custom mobility program to get my body back in shape. He also gives me deep massages to open up my back and glutei muscles and release built-up tension.

On top, I am doing the free mobility and strength workout in the Surf Athlete app, which focuses on a lot of hip mobility, rotational mobility and hamstring stretching and strength.

Getting older is no joke. Our modern lifestyle with the lack of movement are a source of immense issues. We can take a lot up until our mid to late 30s, but eventually our bodies will wear and tear. Sitting is the new smoking. It’s the worst we can do on a daily basis.

If you can’t do a squat or reach your toes with your fingers, get on it. Now.

3. Have fun. Dance. Play. Laugh. Love.

Whereas in my twenties and early thirties I enjoyed the hustle and optimizing my productivity, the last couple years showed me how unhealthy and unfulfilling it is to chase growth, money and followers.

Plus, burnout is a real thing.

A while back I came to terms with the fact that hustle culture just isn’t for me. It’s like a rat race but for egos and wounded inner children.

These days, I invite in more fun and play, more meaningful relationships, more laughter, more dancing..

I eventually realized how much more important LIVING LIFE is to spending time staring at displays. Unless its fun (like writing this essay right now), I prefer real life offline experiences.

I’m ok to not grow as fast as other. I’m ok to not be as consistent with my creative output than others. I go at my speed and that speed is about enjoying the ride through life, enjoying the scenery, enjoying smelling the flowers and walking barefoot in grass.