Photo: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox. Featured in Refinery 29
Happy Holidays!
In all the chaos and excitement, 🎁 the idea of predictability seems impossible. But finding ways to embrace consistency could be the healthiest habit you adopt this season. We’re going to explore why.
Tip! 💡 If you’re traveling ✈️, try bringing one consistent part of your everyday routine (mealtime, coffee break, walk) to your vacation. 🏖️
🧳 On travel…there’s a surprising health risk hidden at the airports, and it’s not the food.
Quick Poll
We’ve all felt run-down after a long flight…
How do you stay healthy during flights?
Spotlight
Boarding a plane might be the riskiest part of flying
You’d think the most hazardous part of flying happens at 30,000 feet. But new research suggests that the more concerning moment is standing in the aisle, putting your bag in the overhead compartment, and bracing for takeoff. ✈️⚠️
A team of French researchers discovered that, during boarding and taxiing, airline passengers are exposed to invisible pollutants called ultrafine air particles (UFPs).
The concentration is more than double what the World Health Organization calls “high,” 🫥 according to findings reported by The Guardian.
🛫 The facts: Researchers conducted the study on commercial flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle, measuring black carbon (soot) and UFP levels during different phases of flying. Although pollutant concentrations spiked on the ground, many of the toxins were reduced once airborne.
In fact, the cabin air at cruising altitude is cleaner than most air in indoor environments, like office spaces.
Why this matters
Long-term exposure to UFPs has been linked to premature death❗, based on a study of 11 million people in the Netherlands.
Other population studies link higher exposure to heart disease ❤️, lung cancer, high blood pressure, pregnancy complications, and cognitive decline 🧠.
Despite growing evidence, there are still no specific US laws that regulate UPF particle number concentrations.
Damage leaves the runway: Travelers only breathe in UFPs during a trip; millions of airport workers and people living in the surrounding area breathe them in daily. In Paris, the pollutants can be detected miles away.
Big picture 🌍
Honestly, you can’t do that much to realistically protect yourself. An N95 mask 😷 may reduce exposure, but there’s not enough data. What would be beneficial is more research.
✨ Nevertheless, the healthy benefits of travel are enough to put me on a plane any day...
Feel in control of your health
Join us in San Francisco this April 2026 at the Livelong Women’s Health Summit—where women come to reclaim energy, sharpen clarity, and take ownership of what’s next—seats are limited, so claim yours now and use code ERIN for $50 off.
Wellness Watch
🔁 Japan’s secret to longevity: “Keep your days roughly the same.”
People are likely to reach 100 years old in Japan more than anywhere else. 🎂 Most of us want the bullet points…hara hachi bu, drink green tea, Japanese walking.
Their remarkable longevity might actually lie in having a consistent, predictable routine. 🇯🇵🕰️
Seikatsu rhythm 🌅
This daily rhythm has a name: Seikatsu (‘daily life’) rhythm. Do predictable things at similar times.
Consistent wake-up schedule ⏰
Unrushed, habitual mealtimes
Socialize with the same people
Familiar walks after dinner🚶♀️
“We don’t think of it as living long,” says an 88-year-old Japanese woman. “We just repeat a good day many times.” 💛🕰️
The logic: Predictability feels like safety. ✨ When your body knows what to expect, the internal clocks that control sleep, metabolism, and mood can sync up. Doing this for a long time may support cellular repair, healthier aging, and delay cognitive decline.
Shaking up your routine is still healthy…Novelty builds stress resilience, brain neuroplasticity, and a sense of purpose, 💪 but preserving daily rituals (anchors) can set the foundation for a healthy life.
Become a Livelong Ambassador! 🌟
We’re looking for women who can propel women’s health and connect our global community. If that’s you, we want you on our team for the upcoming Livelong Women’s Health Summit. Reach out to [email protected] and let’s get the conversation started.
In Other News
Is tea or coffee better for bone health? 🍵☕
A new study suggests that older women who regularly drink tea have slightly stronger bones 🦴 than women who skip tea. Very heavy coffee drinkers have it even worse.
While moderate coffee (around two to three cups) seems neutral for bone density, five or more cups of coffee daily is linked to worse hip bone density. Too much caffeine can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium or create bones. ⚠️
🍵Why tea?
Tea is rich in catechins, plant compounds that support bone formation. This matters for older women, who face higher risks of osteoporosis and bone fractures with age.
Low bone density is estimated to contribute to hundreds of thousands of deaths each year.
You don’t have to ditch coffee! It’s rich in antioxidants and has been linked with a lower risk of dementia. 🧠 But adding a daily cup of tea, as one study author put it, “may be a small step toward stronger bones."
Want to dive deeper into sleep, travel, hormones, and all things Women’s health? Join over 100 women in our private WhatsApp group to get the conversations started. 💜
This week’s highlights ✨
QUICK READS
🫁 LIFE-SAVING ‘BUTT BREATHING’: A Nobel-winning parody therapy from Japan could really save patients with lung disease who have blocked airways.
🍫🕰️ EAT CHOCOLATE, SLOW AGING: New research on the bitter compound that could be at the center of it all.
MORE FROM LIVELONG
🧠 IS THIS DEPRESSION OR NORMAL AGING?: Listen to the podcast
🥾 BREATH FOR BETTER MEMORY: How you breathe impacts your ability to recall, create memories, and process information.
🤖 THE LIV REPORT: Our AI reporter breaks down the ABCs of optimal sun exposure for longevity.
LONG-LEVITY: Happiness is health
🌲 The tree of everlasting life
Evergreen is a holiday staple and the coniferous version of the fountain of youth.
It’s Look for an Evergreen Day 🌲, a day that encourages us to go into nature and learn about trees (any type of tree!) while enjoying the great outdoors. Beyond holiday decor, trees in the evergreen family–pine, juniper, and spruce–have deep roots in longevity, medicine, and spirituality.
Evergreen is believed to remain “Forever green” and is symbolic of “everlasting life.”
The evergreen also has proven medicinal properties:
Needles release aromatic compounds with antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties that have traditionally been used to protect against illness.🛡️
Its scent is linked with calmer breathing and stress reduction. 🌬️
Embracing the spirit of the evergreen (in whatever climate) simply asks you to go outside. ❤️
It’s not ‘everlasting life,’ but regular time in nature can add years to your life.
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Poll response
We asked: Which Dick Van Dyke movie or show inspires the most nostalgia?
The winner: The Dick Van Dyke Show!
🌞 Besides his great work as a healthy aging advocate, many of you believe his greatest performance was on The Dick Van Dyke Show, which combined enough physical comedy, humor, and wit to bring your whole family together.
Thanks for reading!
The information provided about wellness and health is for general informational and educational purposes only. We are not licensed medical professionals, and the content here should not be considered medical advice. Talk to a doctor before trying any of these suggestions.
