'Joyspan' is the secret to ageing well, and it has nothing to do with your body.

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Want to live longer? Or live better? That is the question, when it comes to the art of 'ageing well'.

Enter the 'joyspan' era.

I was immediately drawn to this trending wellness concept. I often think about the movie 'Inside Out' where different emotions battle for control in our brains. When I was married, 'Sadness' was often at the helm. Now that I'm single, 'Joy' is in charge.

This transformation reminds me of how Maya Angelou said, "We need joy as we need air," and I just don't think it's given the priority it deserves.

'Joyspan' perfectly captures my journey from old life to new: from surviving to thriving.

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What exactly is 'joyspan'?

It's a wellness approach that emphasises the quality and quantity of time spent experiencing joy and fulfilment, rather than simply focusing on how long you live (lifespan) or even how long you remain healthy (healthspan).

Dr Kerry Burnight, a gerontologist and former professor of geriatric medicine who coined the term and authored the book Joyspan, puts it simply: "A long life doesn't matter much if you don't enjoy it... How we respond to challenges can determine whether we thrive or suffer."

The concept is revolutionary because it flips our thinking. Unlike traditional longevity approaches that prioritise duration, joyspan centres on maximising joyful experiences throughout life, making our years not just longer, but genuinely better.

The science that backs it up.

This isn't just feel-good philosophy. Dr Burnight's approach draws from psychology, gerontology, and wellness research that highlights a crucial truth: a longer life isn't innately better without purpose, positive relationships, and daily joy.

Her research reveals that ageing doesn't have to be a period of decline. Instead, it can be a time of thriving, even amid health challenges or personal losses.

In fact, she highlights what I am also finding to be true, as I cement myself into my forties. Many strengths actually peak with age: judgement, empathy, patience, and appreciation.

When we harness these strengths, growing older becomes an era of expansion rather than contraction.

The statistics support this. Research consistently shows that people with strong social connections live longer and healthier lives.

In Australia, where women live to around 85 compared to men at 81, the quality of those extra years matters enormously.

People with robust social networks have a 50 per cent increased likelihood of survival compared to those without.

Joyspan reframes ageing away from decline and length alone, toward the quality of lived experiences filled with joy, meaning, and connection.

My personal litmus test.

I often use what I call the 'deathbed analogy' when making decisions. It sounds grim, but it's an excellent measure: When I'm on my deathbed, will I care about this? If the answer is no, it's no longer important.

It's revolutionised how I prioritise my time and energy. That conflict with someone you don't even care about? Won't matter. The afternoon spent laughing with my kids and friends at the beach? Absolutely will.

The four pillars of joyful living.

Dr Burnight has identified four core concepts that create a joyful life:

• Growth: Keep learning and trying new things to ignite curiosity and preserve cognitive health.

• Connection: Invest time and effort in strong social ties and community belonging. This pillar is perhaps the most crucial.

• Adaptability: Learn to creatively respond to challenges and life changes. Life will throw curveballs — redundancy, illness, relationship changes. Those who can adapt and find new sources of meaning bounce back stronger.

• Giving: Share your strengths and talents through mentorship, kindness, or community service. Studies show that volunteering can increase lifespan by reducing stress and providing a sense of purpose.

Making it work in real life.

The beauty of joyspan is its accessibility. You don't need expensive supplements or extreme fitness regimes. You can start small and simple.

• Schedule one activity weekly that brings you genuine joy.

• Reach out to an old friend you've been meaning to call.

• Learn something new, even if it's just a 10-minute YouTube tutorial.

• Find one way to help someone else each week.

Why are Australians perfectly positioned?

We're actually well-positioned for joyspan living.

Our culture values work-life balance, we have strong community networks, and our outdoor lifestyle naturally promotes wellbeing. The challenge is recognising that prioritising joy isn't selfish – it's essential for our health and longevity.

The joy revolution starts now.

As I reflect on my own journey from where sadness dominated, to a life of freedom where joy takes centre stage, I realise that joyspan is about living well, right now.

The question isn't whether you'll live to 85 or 95. It's whether those years will be filled with connection, growth, adaptability, and giving. Whether you'll look back and think, "I really lived."

Feature Image: Supplied / Inside Out Movie c/o Pixar Animation Studios