The time to repair the roof
Is when the sun is shining
—John F. Kennedy
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, MD with Bill Gifford is an in-depth study of how to live a longer, healthier, and happier life.
Although modern medicine has made impressive progress, it has failed to make adequate headway in the diseases of aging that kill most people: heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, and type-2 diabetes. Attia explains why these diseases exist and how in many cases we can alter the outcome. He claims that today’s medicine should have greater emphasis on prevention than treatment.
The book has three sections: The Long Game From Fast Death to Slow Death, Centenarians: The Older You Get, the Healthier You Have Been, and Thinking Tactically
Each section is packed with examples of existing unwanted conditions and ways to make changes that will extend long-term health, both mentally and physically. The book details how we can lengthen our lifespan while simultaneously extending our healthspan.
One section I found especially interesting showed that exercise has the greatest power to determine how you will live out the rest of your life. I think we have all seen examples of people who refuse to exercise, people who have slowly but surely reduced their activity to result in a life that is barely existing, solely dependent on others to get though the day.
The chapter on mental health is engaging. Attia discusses attitudes and the importance of believing that you can change, that you deserve better, and so do others around you. He stresses that we should pay as much attention to mental health as we do to physical health.
I found Outlive fascinating. The author cites in-depth examples of both good and bad behavior that has produced expected, or possibly unexpected, results. He often refers to his own physical and mental health issues as examples of the need for proactive strategy for longevity and mental well-being, both attainable goals. This book is a valuable guide to a richer, more satisfying life.