Live Younger Longer

CHAPTER 5
Messages for millennials
Talk of chronic disease and premature death may make sense to older folks
and even to some of those in their 40s and 50s. But here’s the reality: Not
many people in their 20s and 30s are interested nor do they feel any sense
of urgency around the topic of mortality. Generally, they don’t feel the need
to get involved just yet.
And they’re not motivated to change by statements like: “Doctors say you
should do this.” “You might get a heart attack one day.” “You’re taking
years off your life.”
Those are some of the most often quoted reasons to make lifestyle changes.
Big, scary reasons. For many millennials, those reasons might work as a
temporary jolt of fear to get a gym membership or go to bed an hour earlier.
But they don’t often work for long-term change.
Most millennials, generally defined as those born between 1981 and 1996,
already know what they should be doing for their health in a basic sense.
“Eat healthy and get plenty of exercise” is one of the most trite, overworked
expressions in use today. It’s something millennials have probably been told
more than once by their parents, doctors and teachers. They know to eat a
healthy diet, get regular exercise, not drink too much and avoid tobacco.

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Most millennials are good at practicing some healthy habits but don’t do so
well with others. As a generation, research shows that millennials tend to
exercise more than previous generations, but they don’t manage stress as
well. They tend to value fruits and veggies more, but they also spend more
money on processed foods.
Millennials are also facing financial challenges that affect their habits and
their health. Between student debt and the rising cost of health care, many
millennials are short on money and free time that could go toward gym
memberships and healthy meal prep. Making healthy choices is just one of
many decisions millennials face, and some have fewer resources than
others. The challenges of living healthfully in a world that’s not set up for it
are real.
But there are good reasons — and strategies — to make changes. As a
millennial, you may already face health problems of your own or of loved
ones. You might be raising kids and juggling jobs while trying to make time
for your own health and the health of your family. Or you might not have
had time to think about your health too much yet.
Whatever your circumstances, research shows that long-term healthy habits
aren’t likely to result from fear, guilt or shame. The motivation to do things
that are good for your body and brain — and to make those good things into
habits — comes from a positive personal place. Figuring out what
motivates you to make healthy changes before you hit middle age can have
huge mental and physical benefits, in the long term and in the here and now.
And prioritizing health doesn’t mean you need to overhaul your whole life
or eat like an Instagram model every day. Healthy habits that stick are ones

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that fit into your life and bring benefits that you can feel, and, most
importantly, are ones that you enjoy.
In this chapter we’ll cover some facts about millennial health and why
making changes now is a good idea. I’ll also give you motivators that might
actually work. Ones that are based less on guilt and more on the positive
outcomes that healthy changes can bring to your life — like better mental
health, more money saved and a smaller carbon footprint, to name a few.
Oh, and why am I singling out millennials here? Because they’re currently
the largest adult generation in the U. S.

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