I came across an article about Joan Eichner, who still lives on her own and is healthier, more active, and more engaged than many others decades her junior.
As I read, I saw something familiar.
What she’s doing intuitively aligns with the COMPASS framework from my upcoming book, The Weekend Reset. It’s a research-based model that captures essential elements for living well:
𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 – practices that help you connect with others
𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 – practices that bring you closer to nature
𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 – practices that help you move your body
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 – practices that help you gain a sense of control
𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 – practices that connect you with gratitude
𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸 – practices that help you feel joy and curiosity
𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 – practices that help you be mindful
How to Live Longer
As I read about how Joan stays young, I matched her regular practices to the COMPASS model.
Here’s what I noticed. She:
- Connects with friends at her aquacize classes three times a week (𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 + 𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲)
- Has hobbies like doing crossword puzzles and making finger puppets and willows for patients at a hospital (𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 + 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 + 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸)
- Goes for frequent walks (𝗠𝗼𝘃𝗲 + 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀)
- Goes to church (𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀)
- Loves plants and spends time at a local arboretum (𝗢𝘂𝘁𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀)
- Spends time with friends and grandchildren, and makes connections wherever she goes (𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁)
- Volunteers to support community projects (𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 + 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 + 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸)
The article didn’t mention anything specific about planning, but I’m assuming she does, given her busy calendar.
And though she eats mostly vegetarian, she also likes wine and chocolate (she’s my kind of gal).
It’s not like we don’t know what we should be doing to be well. The real challenge is fitting it into our busy lives.
Feeling Overwhelmed? Simple Practices to Reclaim Your Balance
Much of my coaching work focuses on helping people use micro-actions to incorporate connection, movement, nature, planning, gratitude, joy, and stillness, even when life feels impossibly busy.
If you’re curious about how to build more of these practices into your life, I’d love to chat!
→Book a complimentary Spark Session
Keep reading: Want to see all 7 COMPASS practices working together? Read 7 Weekend Habits That Will Transform Your Week (and Your Life) — the hub post that explains the full framework Dr. Joni developed after her own burnout experience.
*Cross-Posted from my LinkedIn feed
