By James Lavelle

For centuries, vitality and aliveness have been subjects at the center of how we live our best lives. From the ancient Chinese philosophy of Chi to Sigmund Freud’s concept of libido, from the Indian notion of Prana to modern wellness practices, vitality has been a hot topic.

Here’s how I think about vitality and aliveness.

To be joyfully fulfilled, connected by love and interests with others, driven to try new things at every stage of life, physically fit and well, unencumbered by the impacts of age, passionate about living each day as a gift unto itself continuously, these are the elements of vitality.

Allowing for quiet contemplation and restful peace, then a moment later, to be swept away in a force of energy as you decide to be, where and whenever you feel moved to do so, these are also the elements of vitality.

To be nourished and elevated by great food, family, friends, your favorite places, and things in ways only you can decide that fulfill you, these too are the elements of vitality. In every way, we have within us something unique that makes us glow with the fire of aliveness every second of every minute of every day. If only there were a way to be in a state of awareness to make the most of all of the things that make us feel most alive.

My Background and the Importance of Vitality

I’ve been studying health and wellness for many years, particularly as it relates to longevity.

Both of my grandmothers lived to 99 years of age. As an observer of their aging process, I had the opportunity to see the impacts of chronology on the quality of their lives as they got older.

One of my grandmothers was intensely focused on health, wellness, and fitness beginning in the early 1950’s. When I was a little boy, I remember visiting my grandmother Mary while she was watching television on a 12” black and white screen, following the “Godfather of Fitness” Jack Lalanne, on his half-hour exercise show. She went swimming at the local YWCA four days a week well into her 80’s. She was really something.

My other grandmother was pretty sedentary and not thoughtful about her diet. Although they both lived a long time, Mary’s quality of life was pretty high for the duration.

These early impressions inspired me to follow in Mary’s footsteps in many ways, particularly related to diet and physical fitness. My observations also made me curious about the other things people were doing to live the highest quality life for as long as they possibly can.

I’ve been reading medical journals and related research on the subject for years, which finally, in 2022, led me to the subject at hand, vitality. I thought, what if there was a way for each of us to determine, measure, monitor, and manage our own vitality every day? What if, by first defining those things that make us feel most alive, then keeping track of them on an ongoing basis, we could better connect our daily actions to the pathway to our highest passion and purpose, to our own vitality?

This became the framework for creating the Vitality Index and Rating, a methodology for living our best life for as long as we live.

How the Vitality Index and Rating Works

I developed the Vitality Index and Rating so each of us, without input from anyone else, can live our most vital lives. Determining your Vitality Index and Rating doesn’t require a prescription from a doctor or a guru to guide your spirit or even a therapy session with a psychologist.

Each of us have it within us to decide those things that make us want to get up in the morning and make the most of the day. The process I’ve developed, although simple in form, does require some thought. I would use the word “introspection” but that sounds pretty intimidating.

The Vitality Index and Rating is based on determining 10 factors that, in broad terms, each have impact on our purpose, passion and joy for living. By definition, a ‘factor’ is, “A circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result or outcome.”

On the diagram below, I have given you a sample of the Vitality Index and Rating from a good friend. She has determined 10 factors that make her feel most vital and alive. Each of the 10 factors listed are unique to her. Using this example, you now have a guide to defining your own factors and monitoring the rating of each one.

Example: A Friend’s Vitality Index (Sample Chart)

How to read this chart: Score each personally chosen factor from 0–10. Add the numbers to get your Vitality Index (0–100). Higher = more vitality today.

The Value of the Vitality Index and Rating to You

I began sharing my Vitality Index and Rating methodology with friends, family, and business colleagues and was surprised at how it resonated with many of them.

In 2023, I decided to conduct a survey to ask them to identify their own 10 factors. The results were fascinating.

The respondents ranged from 31 to 93 years of age, both male and female, from across the United States. It was clear that each of them had taken the time to thoughtfully consider those factors fueling their own vitality.

Upon receiving all of their responses, I assembled them into a document I called “The Vitality Index and Rating Field Survey.” Then, on a no-names basis, I sent them back to everyone. It was both enlightening and informative to see the similarities and differences in each person’s factors.

I was deeply gratified to see that, to a person, they planned to incorporate the Vitality Index and Rating into their lives.

Establish Your Own Vitality Index and Rating

One of the great things about my methodology is that you can adjust the factors as you walk your road of life. At every stage, it is within your power to fine-tune your factors to make their measurement, monitoring, and management as relevant to your vitality as you possibly can.

By doing so, you will be able to have a direct connection across your health, wellness, fitness, diet, lifestyle, spirit and other important factors to stay vital and live a high-quality life for as long as you possibly can.

The great thing about my approach to keeping track of your own vitality is that it is entirely for and about you. Each individual gets to determine ten factors that have a weight of 0–10 that, when each is valued, accumulate to a number reflecting one’s vitality. I have applied my Vitality Index and Rating update to coincide with my birthday every year in order to focus less on my age and more on how I really feel. I’m hoping that you will do the same if it fulfills you.

James Lavelle is an American businessman, author, and composer who resides in Tiburon, California. You can reach him at jim@myvitalityrating.com.
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