The world of longevity is awash with buzzwords. Most are manufactured to create marketing noise, something we discovered firsthand when we began our deep dive into longevity five years ago. But recently, one term caught our attention: joyspan.
“Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half” is a new book written by Dr. Kerry Burnight, a Professor of Gerontology, who taught geriatric medicine at the University of California, Berkeley, UC Irvine School of Medicine for 19 years. She made a fascinating discovery whilst researching for her book.
After scouring 35 years of studies on psychological well-being in longevity, she identified a pattern that challenges what we think we know about ageing well.
The people who truly thrive don’t just focus on living longer (lifespan) or staying healthier (healthspan). They prioritise what she calls joyspan: the experience of wellbeing and satisfaction throughout their extended years.
The concept of joyspan immediately resonated with us because it addresses what we’ve observed in our own practice: the most successful life journeys aren’t just about the science of living longer, but about cultivating a mindset that embraces each stage of life with purpose and satisfaction.
The Growth Mindset vs. The Decline Mindset
Dr Burnight also discovered that people hold one of two fundamental beliefs about ageing: either everything gets worse as you grow older (decline mindset), or ageing represents continued growth in becoming who you truly are (growth mindset).
The growth mindset aligns perfectly with our belief in reinvention. As Dr Burnight beautifully puts it: “Growing older is about, well, growing, about becoming.” This isn’t about denying the ageing process. It’s about recognising the opportunities and strengths that come with experience.
Dr Burnight’s Blueprint for Thriving
Dr Burnight’s research identified four essential elements for thriving in longevity: grow, connect, adapt and give.
Grow: Continue to expand and explore Connect: Invest time in new and existing relationships Adapt: Adjust to changing and challenging situations Give: Share yourself with others
These principles mirror two pillars of our own philosophy for living longer, healthier and better – resilience and reinvention.
True resilience encompasses the physical and emotional adaptability to handle life’s changes that sustain us.
Reinvention means embracing growth and exploration at every age, whilst giving back enriches both our own lives and those around us.
Understanding these elements is one thing; putting them into practice is where the real transformation begins.
EpigenEdit Protocols for Building Your Joyspan
Daily: Savour simple pleasures—picking fresh blueberries, morning coffee, a favourite song.
Weekly: Combine movement with connection—play tennis with new people or take evening walks with loved ones, including dogs!
Monthly: Plan wellness adventures that enrich the mind, body and soul.
Final Thoughts
“In our scientific quest for understanding and taking control of our own ageing story, Dr Burnight reminds us of what we truly believe at EpigenEdit: we must find joy in our everyday lifestyle to live a fulfilling life.”
—Katrin Dreissigacker and Danijela Schenker
The choices you make today can start rewriting your future tomorrow.
Are you ready to transform not just how long you live, but how much joy you experience in those years?
