I went in for my annual physical. My primary care physician did what doctors do, I was given a clean bill of health with an order to get the corresponding lab work completed. That was not difficult, because it is right next door.
The results came within 48 hours, and I was able to view them online. I was studying results when, scrolling through each section, I saw PSA, Total: Normal value: < OR = 4.00 ng/mL: Value 5.89 HIGH.
The PSA test is a prostate cancer screening to check if a person has prostate cancer. The prostate is a small gland below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The higher the PSA number, the greater the risk. With this result, I knew I would be getting a message from my doctor’s office that I would need to come back and discuss.
Sure enough, about a week and a half later, I was back to confer over the results. Except, I had Sue (my wife) with me. Sure, she wanted to be there out of concern, but I wanted her there more to ask additional questions and help me gain perspective.
As the nurse invited us into the exam room she asked, “And who is this you have with you today?”
I quickly answered with something that came off the top of my head, “Oh, this is my wife, my Chief Longevity Officer.” to the laughter of all those within earshot. Who doesn’t like it when they land a good joke.
Since that appointment, the phrase has become a term of endearment between my wife and me, but it has also turned into a practical approach to how I use my time.
Help Your Longevity Officer Help You
A longer life creates more time, but the quality of that time still depends on how you are living it. The Post Career Lifestyle Stress Test provides a quick way to consider whether the different parts of your lifestyle are working together or creating pressures you may not have recognized.
The Physical Officer
Sue is not a nag; she has my best interests at heart. Therefore, healthy living has become a guided lifestyle we do together. We walk anywhere from 2.5 to 4 miles every day, turning it as much into relationship time as we do exercise or movement.
We both discuss ways to maintain physical activity as we age.
The Medical Officer
I’ve already made the point about Sue attending my doctor’s appointment. However, it extends beyond that.
I am not afraid to mention when we are not feeling well. What I get in return is a lot of good questions so that she can provide advice. Yes, there is plenty of AI and Web MD searching, but she has the right balance between information and diagnosis.
The Emotional Support Officer
My biggest cheerleader is my wife. Over the years she has been an amazing supporter of what I have wanted to do in life. Since our marriage (over 30 years), every major life decision I have made, Sue has been involved. She has the right balance between instruction and overbearance.
It’s also not blind support. She’ll be ready to provide tough love when needed. I was going through a period where I really did not like my job. Firm but with compassion I remember her saying, “I know it stinks, but until you find something else, you need to suck it up buttercup.”
Emotional support is not just blind support.
The Quality Time Officer
In my book The Time-Optimized Life, you can find all kinds of examples where my wife and I approach time very differently. Since writing that book, I have become even more convinced that quality time is longevity time.
While we plan all major activities together, she is the one who is likely to come up with some unique opportunity that is some new pursuit we have never tried but will add to our life experience.
I will attest as fact that Sue is adding to my longevity. I will live longer because of her. Who is your Chief Longevity Officer or maybe even Officers? While a spouse is a natural fit, others can easily fill the role.
A sibling or parent is a solid choice to help you be physically fit. If not that, then get a gym membership and attend workout sessions. A neighbor or friend can be a sounding board or another set of ears to help you navigate medical concerns.
Again, friends and mentors are great examples of those who can give you the emotional support you need without being toxically positive. Finally, quality time and focused time can come from a coworker or retirement buddy to help you find the right flexibility and adaptability for your time.
Oh, I ended by having an MRI that came back negative. The second test came back normal. I was relieved.
But the experience left me thinking about something else entirely. Very little of my longevity journey is actually happening alone.
Every day, someone is helping me make better decisions, stay active, ask better questions, and remain connected.
We often think longevity is about habits. Increasingly, I think it is about relationships.
Which makes me wonder:
Who is your Chief Longevity Officer?
David Buck is the author of the book The Time-Optimized Life, coauthor of The Retirement Collective, and owner of Kairos (Time) Management Solutions, LLC. Learn how to apply the concepts of proactively planning and using your time. Take the Time Management Analysis (TMA), the Retirement Time Analysis (RTA), or all the other free resources offered to help bring more quality time into your life.
Content development for this article involved human expertise supported by AI-generated analysis and formatting.
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