The Curse of Tithonus: Living Long But Not Well

In Greek mythology, Tithonus wished for eternal life but forgot to ask for eternal youth. He was cursed to live forever while aging indefinitely. Today, humanity faces a similar quandary – we have achieved living long in abundance thanks to mass food production and modern medicine but often fail to take care of our health and quality of life.

The Blessing and Curse of living long in abundance

Life expectancy has increased dramatically in the past century. In 1900 the average lifespan in the USA was under 40 but is now over 74. While this is a blessing, it also presents challenges. Humans are living longer but many are plagued by chronic illnesses and poor health in later years.

Abundance With Minimum Effort

Another key issue is physical inactivity. We live in a time of abundance with easy access to calories yet low requirements for physical exertion. This contrasts sharply with our ancestors who expended significant energy acquiring food.

An Unhealthy Recipe

Together, living long, in abundance and lack of activity promote the development of diseases like diabetes and heart problems. Many modern humans are overfed, underexercised, and underslept – an unhealthy recipe.

Avoiding the Curse of Tithonus

The Curse of Tithonus is a Greek myth that illustrates the downside of immortality. Tithonus was a Trojan prince who fell in love with Eos, the goddess of dawn. Eos asked Zeus to grant Tithonus eternal life, but she forgot to ask for eternal youth as well. As a result, Tithonus grew old and frail, while Eos remained young and beautiful. He became a burden to her and she locked him in a chamber, where he babbled endlessly. 
While we may be living longer, we need to make efforts to live well. Regular physical activity is key to maintaining health and functioning. A balanced diet and adequate sleep are also critical.

Take Control of Your Health

Living long, in abundance, while having a healthy life is possible

In conclusion, longevity is a blessing in the modern world. But like Tithonus, we must be proactive and intentional about our health. Small daily choices to move more, eat sensibly, and the resting factor can help us avoid the curse of Tithonus and live our long lives to the fullest.