Aging is not a disease but a biological process — one that is more plastic, more influenced by daily choices, and more variable across individuals than was understood a generation ago. The science of longevity now identifies consistent contributors: vigorous movement, strong social connection, adequate sleep, dietary patterns close to whole foods, and a sustained sense of meaning and purpose. Living long matters less than living well into late life, and the habits that support the latter usually also produce the former.
Each step builds on the last.