Jane Fonda Realized the Importance of Prioritizing Health After Doing a 'Life Review'

Fonda opened up about taking care of herself in her 'final act.'

Actress Jane Fonda candidly discusses her journey of aging in a recent interview with Glamour. At 84, she emphasizes the importance of maintaining good health and considers it to be a "joyful and critical" factor in her later years. She further talks about her approach towards staying healthy.

The renowned actress harks back to her first Glamour cover in 1959, when she was just 22 years old. As a young model then, she never foresaw her working and feeling as energized as she does now at nearly 85. She recalls, "I had doubts about living past 30 back in those days. The mere thought filled me with hope. But I didn't quit. I persevered. I strived for improvement. And I succeeded."

When she reached 60, Fonda realized that she was entering her final act and it certainly wasn't a practice run. With a desire not to culminate her life journey with regrets, this activist felt the need to introspect her life path to gain clarity on her future direction. Consequently, she embarked on what she terms a "life review," as she elaborates in her interview.

Jane Fonda's personal introspection brought her to understand that she hadn't given herself the care and confidence she deserved in her younger years. She realized, "As you age, the importance of health becomes evident, not because of your chronological age but because of how you feel." Despite being 84, Fonda embodies the spirit and energy of youth. The secret to her youthful charm? A healthy routine. Fonda ensures she gets "eight or nine hours" of sleep every night, practices meditation regularly, spends quality time amidst nature, and maintains a consistent workout schedule. Indeed, she stands as an iconic figure in the fitness world. (See also: Science-Backed Ways That Getting In Touch with Nature Boosts Your Health) She points out how forgiving our bodies are when we're young. However, as we age, the effects of unhealthy habits like excessive drinking or lack of sleep become more detrimental. "You don’t feel good the next day, and that serves as a reminder to take better care of yourself," she adds. These words of wisdom from a woman who is a beacon of vitality and zest for life resonate deeply. Her vivacious approach to life shines through everything she does, serving as a valuable lesson about the importance of prioritizing one's health at any age.