Do You Know How to Measure Your JoySpan?

We know of life span, wingspan, and even health span. Now, Kerry Burnight, a professor of geriatric medicine and gerontology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, has written Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life’s Second Half. The premise of the book is beautifully simple yet profoundly important: a lengthy life span does not equal a life well lived. It is not enough to simply add years to our lives; we must also add life to our years. In other words, you have to like your life, too.

Aging does not have to be a downward slide, nor does it need to feel like a monumental crash. While our bodies and circumstances naturally change, how we meet these changes makes all the difference. With awareness and intention, we can choose to thrive rather than suffer. One powerful way to do this is to expand what Dr. Burnight calls our “joyspan,” the measure of how much joy, curiosity, and purpose we bring into our daily lives.

The good news is that you can increase your joyspan through small, consistent daily choices, regardless of your age or physical condition. Focusing on four essential pillars can make a lasting difference: Curiosity, Adjustment, Service, and Socialization.

1. Curiosity

Curiosity is the spark that keeps our minds alive and engaged. It fuels creativity, keeps us learning, and helps maintain cognitive function as we age. The desire to explore and the willingness to learn not only strengthens mental health but also brings delight to ordinary days.

Try this simple exercise: write down anything – really anything – that has piqued your interest lately. It could be as grand as wanting to study astronomy or as simple as wondering how bread rises. Choose one or two of these curiosities and give yourself permission to pursue them. Take a class, read a book, or simply ask more questions.

Curiosity is one of the greatest antidotes to stagnation. As the renown Buddhist nun Pema Chodron has said, “Curiously is the key to happiness.”

2. Adjustment

Life is change, and successful aging requires us to adapt. The ability to adjust gracefully to new circumstances is key to sustaining joy. When challenges loom, brainstorm creative ways to shift rather than resist.

Perhaps you loved running but a knee injury has made that impossible, then maybe consider swimming or biking instead. If your eyesight diminishes, audiobooks or podcasts can keep you connected to stories and learning. Adjustment does not mean giving up what we love. It means finding new ways to engage with what brings us meaning. Flexibility, both physical and mental, allows us to remain vibrant.

3. Service

One of the most reliable ways to increase joy is to give to others. People with a robust joyspan find meaningful ways, even small ones, to contribute. Service shifts our perspective from “what can I get?” to “what can I give?”

Everyone has something to offer, be it time, attention, patience, wisdom, humor, or kindness. If you’re looking for structured opportunities, programs like AARP’s Create the Good can connect you with volunteer activities in your area.

But service does not always have to be formal. You can offer a listening ear to a friend, a kind word to a neighbor, or mentoring someone younger. These can all be powerful acts of giving. When we serve, we strengthen both community and our own sense of purpose. It just feels good!

4. Socialization

Human beings are wired for connection. Social relationships are vital for our health and well-being, especially as we age. Isolation can harm both mental and physical health, while even brief moments of authentic connection can boost mood and resilience.

Devote time to cultivating new friendships and nourishing existing ones. Say yes to invitations, reach out to people you haven’t spoken to in a while, and explore community groups or clubs that align with your interests. Socializing reminds us that we are not alone, and joy shared is joy multiplied.

At its heart, joyspan is about practicing open-mindedness, optimism, and self-compassion. It invites us to embrace the good parts of aging, try new things, no matter how small, look on the bright side, and treat ourselves with respect and kindness. Each choice we make either expands or contracts our joyspan. Why not choose joy?

For more tips and tools on how to embrace the gift of aging, see my book Growing Younger Gracefully: Your Guide to Aging with Vitality, Resilience, and Pizzazz.

Let’s grow younger gracefully and measure our lives not just in years, but in joy.

Please Join the Conversation:

How do you measure your life? Do you measure it in health points, life points or joy points? What do you regularly do to increase your joyspan?