Joyspan: by Kerry Burnight:
So, perhaps we’re focused on increasing our lifespan an we’ve learned to also invest in optimizing our healthspan. But there’s more?
In Joyspan, a New York Times bestseller, Dr. Kerry Burnight, a well-known experienced gerontologist, challenges the familiar goals of lifespan and healthspan and instead invites readers to aim for “joyspan” — a richer notion of longevity that’s grounded in meaning, connection, growth and purpose. Weaving together research, relatable stories and practical guidance, the book reframes aging not as a period of decline that many believe, but as a second half of life to be embraced with intention and vitality.
Burnight opens the book with a personal story of her 96-year-old mother, “Betty,” thriving in later life despite no record of a high level of fitness or perfect health. It illustrates how joyspan is less about your genes and more about your mindset and habits. It’s about your intentions and choices. The book is structured around several key topics — well-being, contentment, connection, purpose, growth, choice — all backed by science and illustrated with real-world examples.
Where many books on aging focus on avoiding decline, Burnight tackles common challenges head-on: caregiving burdens, financial uncertainty, divorce or death of a partner, isolation, and health setbacks. Joyspan is pragmatic, optimistic and inspiring and the book speaks to any age, any stage of life and offers proactive strategies.
Practical Take-aways:
- Shift your aim: Rather than simply “live long” or “stay healthy”, ask “How can I live well?” — i.e., maximize your joyspan.
- Cultivate connection: Prioritize relationships and community as central to your well-being, not just something that’s a nice-to-have.
- Build internal strength: Invest in your mindset — adaptability, intentions and choices — as much as you do in in your external fitness.
- Seize opportunities: Bet on your continued personal growth, wisdom and change being part of life’s second half, it’s not just about decline.
- Prepare for setbacks: Burnight gives tools for navigating common later-life rough patches (health issues, caregiving, loss) to face them with resilience rather than fear.
All in all, Joyspan delivers a timely, refreshing take on aging — one that’s grounded in science but also human-centered. If you want solid research-backed ideas to build a richer roadmap for the years ahead, this book offers both valuable insight and actionable steps to get you started.
Listen to my podcast conversation with Kerry Burnight
