A Hard Lesson I’ve Learned After 25 Years as a Heart Surgeon
Disclaimer: Not Medical Advice. Opinions are my own.
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe here
In partnership with Rho Nutrition
Most Bioavailable Supplements Available
Today's Newsletter at a Glance:
- The First Symptom is Sometimes the Last
- Later = Never
- What People Actually Regret
- Start Small, Start Now
After 25 years as a heart surgeon, one of the hardest lessons I've learned, from my patients and firsthand, is:
Death is inevitable. Don't forget to live.
A statistic that stays with me:
Among people who die suddenly from coronary heart disease, about half of men and nearly two-thirds of women had no prior symptoms.
No recognized warning symptoms.
The first symptom was their last one.
I share this not to scare you.
I share this as a reminder that tomorrow isn't guaranteed.
The Trap of "Later"
We all have some form of a bucket list. Multiple to-do lists.
Places to see. Things to build. People to reconnect with. Dreams.
And almost every item on that list comes with a condition.
After the kids are grown.
After the promotion.
After the house is paid off.
After retirement.
Those conditions feel responsible. They feel like planning. And sometimes they are.
But here's what I've observed, both in my patients and in myself:
"Later" has a way of becoming "never."
The kids grow up, and then there are grandkids. The promotion comes, and then there's a bigger job. Retirement arrives, and sometimes, a hip that won't cooperate comes with it.
The finish line keeps moving. Meanwhile, the clock doesn't stop.
We imagine the perfect moment is safely stored somewhere in the future.
The hard truth is that the future isn't guaranteed, and our lives are just as busy, if not more so, when that time finally arrives.
What Science Shows People Actually Regret
Psychologists Thomas Gilovich and Victoria Medvec studied how people experience regret over time.
In the short term, people tend to regret things they did: the bad decision, the harsh word, the impulsive purchase.
But when people look back over the long arc of their lives, the pattern flips. They regret what they didn't do far more than what they did.
The paths not taken.
The chances not pursued.
The goals not chased.
Later work from Gilovich and colleagues found something even more interesting:
Our most enduring regrets tend to involve our "ideal self," the person we hoped to become and the goals we wanted to pursue.
Why does inaction haunt us more?
Part of it is that our mistakes have a conclusion.
We learn, we adjust, we move on. But the things we never tried stay unknown.
They remain an endless "what if," and the mind keeps returning to them.
If our longest-lasting regrets are about what we didn't do, then starting is the cure.
Start Small, Start Now
Here's the good news:
The goals that matter most don't need to wait for the perfect moment.
They don't require perfect conditions or a perfect plan.
They need a start. And a small one counts.
The fit body starts with a 10-minute walk.
The trip starts with picking dates.
The skill starts with watching a video.
The reconnection starts with a text.
Small starts help break the spell of "later."
Once you start, it becomes real.
So here's my challenge to you:
- Write it down. One thing you've been postponing.
- A plan. Write three simple actions you can take today that get you one step closer.
- Take action. Do the thing. Take the steps you are avoiding.
That's it.
As Seneca wrote nearly 2,000 years ago: "While we are postponing, life speeds by."
He was right then. He's right now.
Death is inevitable, so don't forget to live.
My Go-To Sleep Supplement
Sleep is my Achilles' heel.
After 25 years of being on call as a heart surgeon, my sleep hygiene has taken a toll.
I've had to change my relationship with sleep entirely.
I've tried many supplements on the market. Gummies, powders, etc., until I started taking this magnesium glycinate.
Adding Rho's liposomal magnesium to my evening routine has been a game-changer.
Why Rho?
Rho offers third-party-tested liposomal delivery products. Most pills and powders lose a significant amount of their active ingredient during digestion — Rho encapsulates each nutrient within a tiny liposome that survives the gut and ferries the compound intact into the bloodstream.
Liposomal delivery helps ensure the vitamins and supplements you purchase are absorbed and not lost during digestion.
The founders, Ryan and George, firmly believe you will feel the Rho difference, but if you're not satisfied, they offer a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Get my liposomal supplement stack and save 20% with code LONDON at checkout
I want to hear from you!
Did this newsletter resonate with you?
What stuck out to you? What did you take away?
(Respond directly to this email. I read all responses)
Only the best,
Jeremy London, MD
P.S. Don't forget to follow my podcast for free on Spotify or Apple Podcasts
Featured in Today's Newsletter:
|
Before you go...
Want to read past Newsletters? Click Here
|
* Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user’s own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay seeking medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should consult their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.
Stay connected on all my platforms:
