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Joyspan: A Short Guide to Enjoying your Long Life
'Joyspan is the book we all need. It helps us learn how to embrace aging through science, but with love, warmth and fun' - GABY ROSLIN
'This book completely changed how I see myself growing older. It's not just about adding years to your life - it's about making those years incredible. A must-have guide to living longer and better!' - MEL ROBBINS
A prominent US gerontologist's practical, science-based guide to aging well
Growing old in today's society is daunting. The core message of this book is that losing your quality of life as you age is not inevitable. You can live a great life all the way to the end by leveraging what "older you" does better. By the end of this book, your fear of aging will be replaced with confidence that you will know how to age into the best version of yourself.
Joyspan is the practical guide readers have been looking for. A rich body of evidence confirms that a number of strengths peaks with judgment, empathy, patience, and appreciation. Older you will have better problem-solving skills, more resilience, and a deeper and more robust spiritual life. When you harness these strengths, growing older becomes an era of expansion rather than contraction. In a society that can you make you feel invisible, staying vital requires you to stay visible to yourself so that you uncover the strengths and fullness of your life.
'This book completely changed how I see myself growing older. It's not just about adding years to your life - it's about making those years incredible. A must-have guide to living longer and better!' - MEL ROBBINS
A prominent US gerontologist's practical, science-based guide to aging well
Growing old in today's society is daunting. The core message of this book is that losing your quality of life as you age is not inevitable. You can live a great life all the way to the end by leveraging what "older you" does better. By the end of this book, your fear of aging will be replaced with confidence that you will know how to age into the best version of yourself.
Joyspan is the practical guide readers have been looking for. A rich body of evidence confirms that a number of strengths peaks with judgment, empathy, patience, and appreciation. Older you will have better problem-solving skills, more resilience, and a deeper and more robust spiritual life. When you harness these strengths, growing older becomes an era of expansion rather than contraction. In a society that can you make you feel invisible, staying vital requires you to stay visible to yourself so that you uncover the strengths and fullness of your life.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2025
16 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 22, 2026
Read for 52 Book Club Challenge 2026 24) Uneven number of chapters.
Whilst the title is a little naff, this book asks an important question - what is the point of living a long life (lifespan), even with good health (healthspan), if you are not enjoying it? Enter Joyspan - "the key to a long fulfilling life".
Burnight uses the Psychological Well-being Model developed by Dr Carol Ryff (with 6 components for well-being - autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships, purpose in life, self-acceptance) but adds one additional element - creative adaptability to manage transitions and challenges around aging. From this, the author develops a 'Joyspan Matrix' with four actions associated with thriving in longevity - Give, Connect, Adapt and Grow.
Key to this is developing a good attitude to aging, having a growth mindset and developing resilience. Basically, get busy living or get busy dying! Or not dying but not enjoying life either...Many of the actions recommended I have read about before, but it was interesting to read about them through the lens of aging (and attitudes to aging).
Whilst the title is a little naff, this book asks an important question - what is the point of living a long life (lifespan), even with good health (healthspan), if you are not enjoying it? Enter Joyspan - "the key to a long fulfilling life".
Burnight uses the Psychological Well-being Model developed by Dr Carol Ryff (with 6 components for well-being - autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationships, purpose in life, self-acceptance) but adds one additional element - creative adaptability to manage transitions and challenges around aging. From this, the author develops a 'Joyspan Matrix' with four actions associated with thriving in longevity - Give, Connect, Adapt and Grow.
Key to this is developing a good attitude to aging, having a growth mindset and developing resilience. Basically, get busy living or get busy dying! Or not dying but not enjoying life either...Many of the actions recommended I have read about before, but it was interesting to read about them through the lens of aging (and attitudes to aging).
October 20, 2025
This book is all about well being and satisfaction in longevity - or 'joyspan'. It suggests a four point plan or 'joyspan matrix'; grow, connect, adapt and give. It is very easy to read and offers some sensible and practical ideas and gives useful concrete examples. It is definitely good for someone new to this sort of topic but it lacked the detail and depth that I was hoping for.
February 14, 2026
Abandoned the read.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews