Joyspan: Living Well Inspired By a 95-Year-Old Mother
We hear a great deal about increasing our lifespan—the number of years we live—and our healthspan—the years we remain healthy and active. But Dr. Kerry Burnight believes there is another part of longevity that deserves just as much attention: our joyspan.
In Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half, Dr. Burnight introduces joyspan as the number of years we live with a sense of well-being, connection, meaning, and genuine enjoyment. Her hopeful approach is grounded in decades of work as a gerontologist, but some of her most meaningful lessons come from a very personal source: her inspiring 95-year-old mother, Betty.
Betty’s example reminds us that aging well is not simply about avoiding illness or trying to look younger. It is about remaining curious, connected, adaptable, and engaged with life.
That idea resonates deeply with me. At FoodTrients, I have always believed that longevity should be measured not only by how long we live, but by how well we live. Nourishing foods and healthy habits are essential, but so are laughter, relationships, resilience, purpose, and having something to look forward to.
Four Ways to Expand Your Joyspan
Dr. Burnight organizes her approach around four practices that can help us create a more satisfying life at any age:
Grow
Continue learning, exploring, and challenging yourself. Growth might mean trying a new recipe, learning a language, taking a class, traveling somewhere unfamiliar, or becoming more comfortable with technology.
We do not lose our ability to grow simply because we get older. In fact, the wisdom and perspective we have accumulated can make learning something new even more rewarding.
Connect
Strong relationships are among the most important ingredients in a joyful life. Family and longtime friends matter, but we can also form new connections through community activities, volunteering, exercise, hobbies, and shared interests.
Connection requires intention. Calling a friend, inviting someone to lunch, cooking for family, or joining a group may seem like small actions, but they can make an enormous difference in how supported and engaged we feel.
Adapt
Life inevitably brings change. We may experience health challenges, retirement, retirement, the loss of loved ones, or changes in our families and identities.
Dr. Burnight does not suggest that we ignore these difficulties. Instead, she encourages us to develop the resilience to adjust while continuing to seek meaning and pleasure. Adapting might mean finding a new way to enjoy a favorite activity or allowing ourselves to discover an entirely new one.
Give
Sharing our time, knowledge, encouragement, and experience gives us a powerful sense of purpose. We can mentor someone, volunteer, support a cause, care for a garden, prepare a meal, or simply be present for someone who needs us.
Giving reminds us that we continue to have something valuable to contribute throughout our lives.
Joy Is Something We Can Practice
One of the most encouraging lessons in Joyspan is that joy is not reserved for people with perfect health, easy circumstances, or trouble-free lives. It can be cultivated through everyday choices.
A colorful meal shared with people we love, a walk in the sunshine, a conversation with an old friend, music, creativity, gratitude, and trying something new can all add to our joyspan.
Betty’s story gives Dr. Burnight’s message special warmth and authenticity. At 95, she represents the possibility of continuing to participate in life rather than simply observing it from the sidelines.
Joyspan is an uplifting, practical book for anyone who wants to approach aging with more confidence and less fear. It is also valuable for those caring for aging parents or helping loved ones navigate significant life changes.
The book reminds us that growing older is not only about managing what we may lose. It is also about recognizing what remains possible—and making room for more of what brings us joy.
After all, the goal is not merely to add more years to our lives. It is to fill those years with connection, growth, purpose, and moments worth savoring.
