Muscle's role in longevity, relentless optimism, and picking relationship battles
Happy Thursday!
Here are 3 things I’ve been discovering in the realm of longevity this week.
🫀 Live Longer
The Role Of Muscle In Longevity
There are a lot of benefits to building muscle beyond aesthetics that most people don't know about.
For example, did you know...
Muscle acts as a metabolic sink―it helps dispose of glucose, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces your likelihood of developing diabetes.
Building muscle mass now will help you fend off sarcopenia (involuntary loss of muscle) in old age―this is critical to both lifespan and quality of life.
Above-average quad and grip strength have been shown to measurably increase lifespan due to the role they play in the prevention of falls―a major cause of death in elderly populations.
The golden rule for muscle growth?
10-25 sets per muscle group per week
8-30 reps per set
💪 Feel Healthier
A Personal Story: Where I Find My Relentless Optimism
In 1911 on the shores of Bournemouth, my great grandma was born.
20 years of her life were spent battling WW1, The Great Depression, and WW2.
Her husband and only daughter both died in her arms.
In 2009, she died at age 98.
Regardless of what happened to her, she chose to be relentlessly optimistic. I believe this attitude was, at least in part, responsible for her long and healthy life.
She never complained.
She was never negative or critical to anyone or anything.
Regardless of hardship, tragedy, or setback, she maintained a positive outlook on the world around her and was always optimistic for the future.
So I ask: Where can you be more optimistic in your own life?
🧠 Cultivate Purpose
Relationships Take Work: Pick Your Battles Wisely
"Odds are, the latest office debate or family squabble isn't worth winning. Most arguments are only tangentially related to your end goal.
What outcomes are you actually trying to create? What type of life are you actually trying to cultivate? Stay focused."
– James Clear
Strong relationships, as with anything worth achieving in life, take hard work, patience, and the ability to set and stick to priorities.
Remember your destination (desired outcome) and don’t veer into the ditch for a mosquito.
That’s all!
Until next week,
Jack Dixon
P.S. If you’re a “Type A” that wants to live longer, feel healthier, and cultivate purpose, follow along on Twitter @jackrossdixon for daily threads.