What does it mean to be healthy?   Everyone has a different definition and the answers will also depend on what stage of life you are in now.  What it means to be in good health for someone in their 60’s vs. what it means for someone in their 20’s will vary.  For some, health can be exercising regularly and for others, it can be going up a flight of stairs without losing their breath.  So, what does it mean for you? Do you have health goals that you are working towards? Do you feel healthy?  Each stage of life allows us to take stock of our how our lifestyle may contribute to healthy living or to detrimental habits.  In our 20’s, health is usually optimal  and the body’s ability to bounce back from injury or harm lets us take our health for granted.  Depending on level of activity and general health our 30’s reveal if we have taken care of our bodies, or if we ignored old injuries.  By the time we reach our 40’s, the body’s ability to heal is noticeably slower, but depending on level of activity, diet, and to some extent, genetics, our 40’s can be a wonderfully active time with abundant health.  Our culture puts a time stamp on our health after age 50, with so many individuals seeing that time of their life as one of inevitable decline.  Despite the fact that there are so many individuals who are active, socially involved in their community, and considered healthy by the medical world at 50 and beyond, there is still the cultural view of aging as a descent in wellness.  Whatever your idea of health and lifestyle, even if the habits you have had were not  conducive towards good health, there is always a chance to create and achieve your wellness goals.  It is never too late to begin to take steps to work towards your definition of health.  Age is only one factor to our overall wellness.  Consider your outlook on life, the social connections you maintain, if you engage in regular exercise, and diet.  All these factors can add up to a wonderful lifetime and a life that you enjoyed.  If your definition of health is something that doesn’t match up with what you see in your daily life, this is the day and the time to start living your healthy life.