Ken Stern, renowned longevity and aging expert, spent last year traveling to some of the world’s healthiest countries — Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Spain — to explore how older adults maintain activity, purpose, and social engagement. His experiences highlight practical lessons that anyone can adopt for a longer, more fulfilling life.
According to an article from CNBC Make It, Stern observed remarkable approaches to aging in every country he visited. In Japan, older adults volunteer, teach, and even run restaurants alongside younger people and individuals with Down syndrome. Korea prioritizes lifelong learning, enshrining education into its constitution.
Singapore is developing specialized health districts, while Italy taps into seniors’ knowledge through active volunteering. Even in Spain, where obesity and smoking remain challenges, older adults are socially and physically engaged. Stern emphasizes that these examples show healthy aging is possible anywhere with the right environment and mindset.
Rethinking Work and Purpose
Stern was struck by how older adults in these countries continue to work, not just for money but for connection, purpose, and well-being. In Japan, seniors manage everything from candy assembly lines to taxi services and tour guiding, often on flexible or part-time schedules. Inspired, Stern plans to continue his own work — writing, storytelling, and teaching — but in ways that balance productivity with personal enjoyment, finding a middle ground between full-time work and retirement.
The Power of Social Connection
Social interaction emerged as a central theme in longevity. Stern noticed that in Italy and Spain, people prioritize meals and time with friends over technology, fostering strong social bonds. Studies have long shown that positive relationships improve mental, emotional, and physical health. Stern emphasizes making intentional choices to connect with people across generations and build a rich social network, noting that intergenerational relationships can boost happiness and well-being.
Lifelong Learning for Healthy Aging
Stern also highlighted the role of continuous learning in promoting longevity. Countries he visited provide numerous opportunities for older adults to engage in education, from workshops to university-affiliated programs. Stern plans to participate in classes at local institutes designed for lifelong learners, emphasizing face-to-face interaction as a means of building social connections and supporting mental health.
Planning for the Next Chapter
Observing these global examples reshaped Stern’s perspective on aging. He stresses that age should not limit ambition or purpose. He continues to plan the coming decades with the same seriousness he applied to his earlier career, proving that meaningful, active, and socially connected lives are possible well beyond traditional retirement age. Stern’s experiences show that longevity is not only about biology but lifestyle choices, relationships, and ongoing personal growth.
According to an article from CNBC Make It, Stern observed remarkable approaches to aging in every country he visited. In Japan, older adults volunteer, teach, and even run restaurants alongside younger people and individuals with Down syndrome. Korea prioritizes lifelong learning, enshrining education into its constitution.
Singapore is developing specialized health districts, while Italy taps into seniors’ knowledge through active volunteering. Even in Spain, where obesity and smoking remain challenges, older adults are socially and physically engaged. Stern emphasizes that these examples show healthy aging is possible anywhere with the right environment and mindset.
Rethinking Work and Purpose
Stern was struck by how older adults in these countries continue to work, not just for money but for connection, purpose, and well-being. In Japan, seniors manage everything from candy assembly lines to taxi services and tour guiding, often on flexible or part-time schedules. Inspired, Stern plans to continue his own work — writing, storytelling, and teaching — but in ways that balance productivity with personal enjoyment, finding a middle ground between full-time work and retirement.
The Power of Social Connection
Social interaction emerged as a central theme in longevity. Stern noticed that in Italy and Spain, people prioritize meals and time with friends over technology, fostering strong social bonds. Studies have long shown that positive relationships improve mental, emotional, and physical health. Stern emphasizes making intentional choices to connect with people across generations and build a rich social network, noting that intergenerational relationships can boost happiness and well-being.
Lifelong Learning for Healthy Aging
Stern also highlighted the role of continuous learning in promoting longevity. Countries he visited provide numerous opportunities for older adults to engage in education, from workshops to university-affiliated programs. Stern plans to participate in classes at local institutes designed for lifelong learners, emphasizing face-to-face interaction as a means of building social connections and supporting mental health.
Planning for the Next Chapter
Observing these global examples reshaped Stern’s perspective on aging. He stresses that age should not limit ambition or purpose. He continues to plan the coming decades with the same seriousness he applied to his earlier career, proving that meaningful, active, and socially connected lives are possible well beyond traditional retirement age. Stern’s experiences show that longevity is not only about biology but lifestyle choices, relationships, and ongoing personal growth.
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