In the Game of Life, longevity is the winner.
Time is the most precious personal possession for each one of us. It is determined by the inherited genes and the individual lifestyle – begin with day 1st and end with the last ticking second.
You and I may not have much control over our health in the first 15 years, but for the remainder of time, the will is in our court.
The perspective on the Health Play is different between the 18 years old and the 80 years old. But differences in perspectives do not change the fact that a healthy mind and body is a life force that determines the life quality regardless where the measurement is made – at the 18th mark or the 80th milestone.
Social structure is a compelling force that influences the lifestyle for most of us. For example, if the majority of the members of your group smoke, the probability you will eventually smoke is greater than 50 percents – at minimal, you are a second-hand smoker.
The social structure has the clout that determines what we put in our bodies, the activities we are consistently participate and the mindset we are taking on. Collectively and unconsciously these clockwork actions and behaviors become the bedrock of our lifestyle.
Genetics play an important role in setting the level of fitness in the entire population. Most of us who survived by the age of ten without much health complication have a fair bag of genes – it does not mean we are invincible.
There are genetic expressions that show up later in life with the appropriate stimulus. Alcoholism is an example. Hypothetically let’s say growing up I have seen mom and dad and fair amount of the number of relatives who are addicting to alcohol.
In designing my personal Health Play, alcohol will be completely eliminated – this is the external factor the genetic beast within me has been patiently waiting as the cue of entrance.
Circumstance is another factor in determining the lifestyle for many of us. Financial instability often lead many down the path of desperation resulted in drugs, gambling or prostitution.
Unpleasant work related situation from minor to monumental brings on chronic stress that has a health consequence in 10 to 20 years down the road.
In 2018, one in three adults in the United States are living with hypertension where systolic pressure registered greater than 130 mm Hg or diastolic pressure higher than 80 Hg. The same data source from the CDC reported Nearly 1 in 3 American adults has high cholesterol
with the reading of 200 to 239 mg per dL is considered borderline and 240 mg per dL and higher is high.
Age, social structure, genetic and circumstance are powerful forces that shape the type of lifestyle that inevitably leads to the deterioration of health.
As of the 21st century, the global average of life expectancy for the population is approximately 72 years. It is 79 in the United States. Yet, many of the Americans are living with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and or diabetes in their early 40s – that is merely a half of an average life span.
Since the British Industrialization of the mid 17th the advancement of the modern science has successfully double the longevity for the entire human species.
The endeavor was to find the fountain of youth. Collectively, what the scientists found is longevity without the youth – we are coping and not living –longer with the assistance of drugs ranging from recreational to prescription.
For hundred thousands of years, the human biology and physiology is optimized for procreation in 30 to 40 years time span. The increase in the life expectancy ranges from 70 to 80 years is clearly a mismatch to the optimization of the hardware.
The discrepancy is manifested itself as disproportionate aging starting in early to late 40s for the average population. With the absent of any Health Play to make up the imbalance, it is not possible to have an exciting play in the second half of the Game of Life.
Imagine of any professional sport where the excitement of the game is all in the first half. In the second half of the game, the players become disenchanted and completely disengage with the game – most of us would not pay to watch that sport.
As of the 21st century, the advancement of biomedical engineer and medicine as a whole have assisted many people to lead a full life. Paving the path toward the future where the hybridization with Artificial Intelligence is viable option to leave the arcade humanoid hardware behind for good.
Until then, the good old fashion Health Play is the best option available to ensure the quality play in the second half of the game.
Let’s play the Game of Life!
