I love to travel—and after a long hiatus from air travel, I’m especially looking forward to my next flight. One of my favorite destinations is the Caribbean. My wife and I once took a cruise to the Bahamas, but we learned the hard way that November (a.k.a. hurricane season) isn’t the ideal time to set sail. Next time, we’ll be booking that trip a bit earlier in the year!

What’s your favorite getaway spot?

Interestingly, studies on centenarians—those who live to be 100 and beyond—reveal a common thread: they know how to de-stress. They intentionally build in activities that offer relief from the relentless pace of life. For me, that includes a 15-to-20-minute midday walk, morning devotionals, reading, writing, and fitness. In the evenings, I often return to reading or journaling.

If you’ve let those habits slip—or never really established them—it’s not too late. Start. Or re-start. Sometimes, we don’t realize the toll stress is taking until we’ve stepped away from it—or been forced to. Don’t wait for a crisis to remind you to slow down.

You matter. Your presence, your wisdom, your voice—it’s needed by your family, your community, and the world. Let’s take care of ourselves so we can stick around long enough to fulfill our mission and purpose.