As we ring in the new year, we make promises to ourselves about how we want to do better. Maybe you want to start a podcast or grow your business. Maybe you want to be a better leader. Entrepreneurs shoulder a lot of responsibility as is, so when it comes to self-improvement, it can feel like there’s a lot to focus on. You can always be improving yourself or the business in some way.

However, that can get overwhelming. Consistent self-improvement can start to slide into self-hate, as you’re constantly assessing what you’re doing wrong and what you could be doing better. It’s a slippery slope. Sometimes, the best thing to do is to prioritize your health.
So, as we move into a new year – and a new year during the pandemic – Sergey Young from Season 6 episode 27 of the Making Bank podcast shares tips and habits you can do for a healthier, longer life.

Growing up in the USSR, Young had to overcome extreme obstacles to find a job in private equity. After a small health scare, Young took an interest in the world of medicine, especially investing in companies and ideas that improve our happiness and health. Through this journey, Young began researching on what he could do now, in the near future, and beyond to increase the longevity of his life. He shares his research during his interview.

Life Longevity

There are many preventable diseases that begin to harm people in middle age. Some preventable and others not, diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes can strike – or become more dangerous. While there are some health issues out of our control, there are others in our control. Young discusses how we can actively prevent the preventable.

Healthy Habits Now

Your Annual Physical

The first and most important thing you can do for a long and healthy life is to go to your annual physical. While it can feel like a box to check, Young constantly reiterates it’s importance. In fact, he says it’s the most important day of the year. When you go to your annual physical, you get screened and tested. In this process, you can catch things early that could later be problems. The sooner you know a problem exists, the sooner you can address it, whether that’s through treatment, management or a cure.
For example, if in your physical you discover that you’re at-risk for heart disease, your doctor may suggest a diet and exercise regiment, or even medication. You know the problem exists and therefore are given the chance to potentially slow down or even reverse developing issues.
While it can sound scary, you can’t address a problem you don’t know exists. And if it does exist, it’s better to address it now than later, when it’s something much worse.
Diet and Exercise

The next best thing you can do for a long life is to have healthy habits now. The basics like eating well and exercise are extremely important. Plant-based diets or simply a balanced diet can do wonders for your energy and longevity of life.
When it comes to exercise, according to Young, you don’t need to be running marathons. You just need to get up and move about—maybe that’s as simple as reaching 10,000 steps a day or doing a 30-minute yoga routine. If you can get your body moving, it will reward you.

Reducing Stress

Additionally, habits like meditation can help reduce stress on the brain and body. Stress wears on you, physically and emotionally. It can hurt your body and brain. So when you can reduce your stress through meditation, mindfulness, and even the appropriate amount of sleep, you are increases your life expectancy.

Bad Habits

Young encourages people to not only embrace healthy habits but discard unhealthy ones. Actions like wearing a seat belt or cutting out addictions like smoking can have a large impact on your longevity.

Healthy Habits For the Future

Advanced Drugs

Next, Young discusses the new medical advances and technologies that we will have access to in the coming 5-10 years. Investors like Young are helping to cultivate the technology that is actually here now but won’t be available on the market until later. New drugs, gene therapy and other advances will help us avoid rare fatal conditions.
Additionally, the new set of drugs on the market may start to target aging itself. Young chats about how certain drugs, such as ones currently for diabetes, are now being experimented with to see if they can be turned into a longevity drug. Yes, that’s right. there may soon be drugs that specifically target aging itself.

Advanced Technology

Certain technological advancements such as 3D printing is helping to aid crises like organ transplants. Unfortunately, there are a hundred thousand people in the US currently on waiting lists for organ transplants. With 3D printing, we can soon start to address this shortage.

Prioritizing Health

While some of these technological advancements may happen within the next few years, or the next fifty, it’s important to remain aware of them. It can be easy to get caught up in the motions of everyday life—jobs, taxes, kids and more—and we forget how important time really is. Time is the one thing we can’t get back, so the best thing you can do to live a healthy and long life is to prioritize it now and going forward. Whether you extend your life a few years or a decade, there is no downside. It only allows you more time to spend on your goals, friends, and family.