Live Longer. Live Better. An FAU Wellness Expert Shares the Habits That Matter Most
Sara Starkoff Green of Florida Atlantic University's Marcus Institute of Integrative Health explains why improving your health span—not just your lifespan—starts with small, intentional choices anyone can make
Sara Starkoff Green with Paige Kornblue | The Paige Kornblue Show
Most of us know the basics of healthy living. We know we should move our bodies more, get enough sleep, drink more water, eat nourishing foods, and make time for the people who matter most.
The challenge isn't knowing what to do. The challenge is doing it consistently.
Somewhere between work deadlines, family responsibilities, aging parents, school drop-offs, travel, and the endless list of daily obligations, our own well-being often slips to the bottom of the list. We tell ourselves we'll start Monday, after vacation, when work slows down, or once life feels a little less hectic. The problem, of course, is that life rarely gets less busy.
That question—why healthy habits are often the first things to disappear when life becomes demanding—was at the heart of a recent conversation I had with Sara Starkoff Green, Wellness Consultant at the Marcus Institute of Integrative Health at Florida Atlantic University Schmidt College of Medicine. Through her work leading hundreds of community wellness programs each year, Green has helped thousands of people navigate everything from nutrition and movement to mindfulness, stress management, and healthy aging.
One distinction she made immediately stood out.
"We spend a lot of time talking about lifespan, but what we're really working toward is health span," said Green.
It's a subtle but important shift. Lifespan measures how many years we live. Health span focuses on the quality of those years, maintaining the strength, mobility, independence, and mental clarity to continue doing the things that give life purpose.
That perspective also changes how we think about wellness. Rather than chasing perfection or the latest trend, Green encourages people to focus on sustainable habits they can actually maintain. Progress, she believes, begins by "meeting people where they are."
For some, that may mean committing to a daily walk. For others, it might be drinking more water, getting to bed thirty minutes earlier, preparing healthier meals, or simply reconnecting with a friend. None of those choices are dramatic on their own, but together they create the foundation for long-term health.
Green's philosophy extends beyond physical wellness. One of the strongest predictors of longevity, she noted, isn't found in a supplement or fitness program. It's human connection. Relationships, community, and meaningful conversations all contribute to healthier, longer lives, a finding supported by decades of research on longevity.
That belief also inspired one of her newest projects, The Menopause Playbook, a podcast designed to educate men about menopause. While menopause affects every woman differently, Green believes it shouldn't remain a conversation only among women.
Whether it's a spouse, son, father, brother, coworker, or friend, helping men better understand menopause can strengthen relationships, improve workplace communication, and create more compassionate support systems.
Perhaps the most memorable moment came near the end of our conversation when I asked what she would say to someone who feels like they've let their health slide.
"Every moment. Every breath. Is an opportunity to begin again," said Green.
It's an idea that removes the guilt so many of us carry. Healthy living isn't about being perfect. It's about recognizing that every day offers another opportunity to make one better choice than the day before.
Green also shared the habits she considers non-negotiable. Her list wasn't complicated: quality sleep, regular movement, sunshine, hydration, nutrient-dense foods, human connection, mindfulness, gratitude, and continually challenging the brain through learning and neuroplasticity.
Simple doesn't always mean easy. But perhaps that's exactly the point.
Healthy living isn't built through one grand gesture. More often, it's shaped by small decisions made consistently over time. And maybe that's the real takeaway: wellness isn't another item to check off our list. It's what helps us enjoy everything else on it.
