### “I want to ensure I’m doing everything possible to maintain my health for as long as I can.”

We encounter this sentiment frequently. Individuals express their desire not just to maintain good health as they age, but also to surpass their contemporaries and life expectancies. Picture being able to extend both your healthspan and lifespan, ward off illnesses, and remain fit, slim, and vibrant well into your 90s, 100s, and beyond. Quite appealing, isn’t it? Yet, there’s a catch: **Standard longevity guidance often entails a tremendous amount of effort. Plus time, money, and complexity.** Is all that effort truly necessary? Is it worth it? And will it even yield results? In this article, we will investigate:

– The myths—and truths—of “optimizing” your health
– The advantages—and sacrifices—of maintaining a healthy lifestyle
– A closer examination: The most effective health behaviors (and their ideal amounts)

By the conclusion, you’ll be more prepared to make educated choices about your health, body, and life.

### The myths—and truths—of “optimizing” your health

Health and longevity tips are everywhere nowadays: in podcasts, books, social media, and from that individual at the gym… Additionally, prominent “authorities” have drawn significant attention to the movement. Think of well-known podcasters and health authorities like Dr. Peter Attia, Dr. Andrew Huberman, Dr. Rhonda Patrick, and biohacker Bryan Johnson. We recognize the allure of this type of content. Who doesn’t desire a longer, healthier existence? (Not to mention the reassuring feeling of control that can stem from crafting and implementing a “flawless” health regimen.) However, for us at PN, where we’ve collectively guided hundreds of thousands of people with real lives, we realize that “optimal” is seldom practical. Furthermore, _optimal isn’t essential_. **Making moderate, relatively steady efforts towards health and wellness will likely yield better results than adhering to an intense, highly “optimized” program.** If that seems hard to accept, we understand. Let’s delve into that bold claim, beginning with the major myths surrounding longevity and health optimization.

#### Myth: The “basics” aren’t sufficient.

There’s a belief that achieving and maintaining health must involve intricate, “state-of-the-art” methods—especially if your aim is to outlast the average American. **In truth, the “basics” work exceptionally, _exceptionally_ well.** (These include regular exercise, consuming a nutrient-dense diet, ensuring adequate sleep, managing stress, and maintaining social connections. We will cover these topics in more depth later.) However, very few individuals _consistently_ practice the basics. The actual reason more people aren’t living as long or as well as they could is _not_ that they’re neglecting ice baths or vitamin C infusions… It’s that they’re not performing the (relatively) simple tasks consistently. **If you’re genuinely engaging in a well-rounded assortment of health-promoting habits with 80-90 percent consistency, you’re likely already nearing peak optimization.**

#### Myth: More is better

If a small number of fundamental behaviors yield results, then executing them _perfectly_ and _as much as possible_ should help you achieve and maintain even better health—right? Not necessarily. There is a principle of diminishing returns concerning health and fitness efforts. Moreover, in our experience, taking on too much or introducing excessive complexity into your health and fitness regimen can:

– **Introduce risk factors** that could actually hinder your health and fitness (like chronic injuries or burnout from overtraining, and/or nutrient deficiencies or disordered eating stemming from an overemphasis on “clean” or restrictive diets).
– **Make it tougher for you to maintain good habits.** Individuals who take on too much are more likely to experience burnout. Research indicates that those who pursue multiple goals are _less committed_ and _less likely to succeed_ than those focused on a singular goal.
– **Reduce your enjoyment of life, which in turn affects health.** Aiming to maximize physical health can disrupt mental, emotional, and social well-being, which plays a crucial role in healthspan and lifespan. (One study revealed that individuals with high levels of happiness and life satisfaction lived up to 10 years longer than those with lower levels.)

And what is the purpose of living longer if you’re not enjoying a full, well-rounded, _fulfilling_ life? While some effort is certainly necessary, beyond a certain level, more isn’t _necessarily_ better.

#### Myth: Advanced strategies provide substantial advantages.

Imagine you _could_ implement all those sophisticated, complex strategies without sacrificing consistency or enjoyment of life or compromising your overall well-being.