Establishing healthy habits and maintaining them over time is the best way to proactively care for our health and wellbeing. As findings from the 2024 “Habits and Healthspan” survey confirm, 98% of parents and caregivers believe it’s important for their children to establish a healthy, lifelong routine before they reach adulthood.

However, as we all know, there is a rather large divide between what we know we should do, and what we actually do. Do you remember brushing your teeth for two renditions of the ABC song, like we were taught in school?  How many weeks did that last? In fact, 65% of baby boomers surveyed admitted they had only recently started their healthy habits in order to mitigate a health issue that already developed, or because a doctor recommended they do so.

It may come as no surprise that this same group said that if they could tell their younger self one thing about healthy lifestyle routines, a resounding 66% said it would be to “start sooner!”

Hindsight is 20/20, and with that knowledge, baby boomers are in an excellent position to help their children and grandchildren start lifestyle behaviors and habits to prevent health issues and chronic diseases from developing later in life.

Guiding Future Generations

Equipped with the wisdom that comes with a life well lived, baby boomers fully understand how challenging it can be to start and sustain healthy habits for preventive care, and how a network of support and motivation is crucial to success.

As science and research progresses, our knowledge of health and wellness expands daily. Perhaps that’s why 46% of those aged 18 to 34 say they learned about healthy habits and lifestyles from a young age compared to only 33% of baby boomers. As new information becomes available, the older generations have successfully instilled these behaviors in the generations that have followed.

This greater awareness and access to information has empowered younger people to take proactive steps regarding their health sooner. Survey findings reveal that 44% of 18- to 34-year-olds started caring about aging between the ages of 20 and 29, compared to just 4% of baby boomers who said they began thinking about aging before their 30s. This growing awareness among younger people points to a heightened understanding of health’s significance in achieving longevity.

Exploring Health Trends Together

Social media platforms like TikTok also have a role to play in our health and wellness. For many users, these platforms offer more than just entertainment; they serve as valuable resources where healthcare providers, patients, and health activists share information and motivation. This is particularly resonant with 18 to 34-year-olds as 24% of this group say they look to social media as a source of inspiration for their health behaviors. A quick Google search for health trends on TikTok reveals ‘cozy cardio,’ a fitness trend that involves low-intensity, low-impact cardio in a relaxed environment. There are also Tik Toks about prioritizing self-care, strength training, evaluating the quality of sleep, and using protein supplements in interesting ways. These trends highlight how younger generations engage with health and wellness – through creative, accessible, and often peer-driven content.

At your next family gathering, talk to your grandchildren about health and wellness topics found on TikTok – you don’t have to admit that you didn’t spend hours on the app but instead just Googled “top TikTok trends.” Not only will they likely be surprised and delighted that you are up to speed on the latest trends, but it also opens the door for meaningful discussions about health. These conversations can be an opportunity for mutual learning where you exchange knowledge and motivate each other to adopt healthier behaviors, combining the wisdom of experience with the excitement of new trends.

How Health and Habits Impact Longevity

We’ve been hearing more about Blue Zones or the places in the world with the healthiest and longest-living populations. Not only are these communities living longer, but they’re enjoying a higher quality of life at their advanced age. When studying these zones, researchers identified lifestyle habits and factors that contribute to their longevity including a plant-based diet, regular physical activity, reduced stress, and strong social connections. This understanding shifts the focus from reactive healthcare to a proactive approach, where individuals prioritize building and maintaining their health before they get sick. Sharing these insights with younger generations will help encourage them to maintain healthy habits over the course of their lives and to make informed choices that will improve their healthspan.

A Shared Journey to Wellness

Conversations about health and wellness are evolving rapidly, and each generation has something valuable to contribute. By participating in open, intergenerational dialogue, whether about the latest health trends, or lessons learned from Blue Zones, families can create and share their wellness journeys together. Together, we can ensure future generations not only live longer but improve their healthspan as well.