STAYING YOUNG AT HEALTH & HEART
Staying young is an approach to beat the onset of ageing. To stay young and vibrant forever, one needs to obey a few principles. We may already know these principles, but to implement them is the trick is to induce a general feeling of youthfulness in yourself. Staying young is an aspect that covers three domains, the physical aspect, the mental aspect and the emotional aspect. One should be able to look young, feel young and behave young.
LOOK YOUNG
This is a very general approach towards capturing youth. Almost everyone tries to ‘look young’ though they would not admit it. By looking young, let us stick to a very overt definition of young. It refers to the mannerisms and the attire that one may choose. Some gesticulations and facial expressions are associated with old age.
You may wish to avoid a typical old person’s style of talking or walking. However, you must realize that the physical posture alters due to the weakening of one’s body. To retard the process of weakening of bodily functions, it is essential to keep the body fit and fine. When one approaches old age, one may feel it customary to dress up in a particular manner. However, if you look younger than what you actually are, why not consider dressing up in your favorite dress of yesteryear?
FEEL YOUNG
This is a very tricky aspect of the ‘staying young’ part. Feeling is an internal state of being, and thus, it takes time to get aligned. Researchers have been stressing on the importance of ‘young thoughts’ as the solution to retarding the onset of age.
For example, if an elderly person feels that he or she can participate in activities, which require physical exertion, the chances of being successful in such an attempt are surprisingly quite high. Therefore, staying young is really a process that starts in the brain and then ‘spreads’ to the other areas of the body.
THINK YOUNG
The thought process often makes a huge impact on the quality of mind and body. It has been observed that the senior citizens are infamously negative thinkers; and they are capable of spreading this habit amongst their counterparts.
Remaining positive especially in the face of an illness is difficult, but this is where one’s mind needs to be ‘taught’ to stay young. It is vital to tell oneself that ‘all is well’. In fact, one of the tricks to staying healthy is to chant something like ‘day by day, everyday, I am getting better and better’! This may sound funny, but such ‘chants’ can work wonders and help one think like a youngster.
WHY STAY YOUNG?
Why stay young? This could be touted as the most obvious question. One wishes to stay young because one associates the positive aspects of life with staying young. Staying young is almost a trend now, and there are many simple ways to look, feel and act young.
What really could be defined as young? Youth is a quality that defines the state of mind, body as well as heart. We associate the word ‘young’ with good health, high spirits and a state of mental wellness. It is imperative to know why we would avoid ageing. Ageing brings with it a number of ill effects that could impair a smooth functioning of life.
Ageing causes certain changes and these changes affect the whole body. These changes, which could be overt or covert, are readily perceptible in specific areas like hair and skin.
Unseen changes also take place in the internal organs like tissues, and cells, and thus, take time to make their presence felt. Organs are made out of millions of tissues, and miniature cells form a tissue. Aging is a progression that has an effect on each cell that forms the human body.
Growing age brings about a change in the quantity, form, and location of the tissues in the body. For example, the abdominal zones are known to gather fat cells while the legs lose the muscle content with increasing age. The organs of body gradually lose cells and thus their normal functioning begin to get affected.
As the body ages, the cells in every tissue and organ undergo change. Cells gradually lose the ability to divide and reproduce normally. Fat is deposited on tissues and various internal organs. This adds to a state of loss of function over a period. The bone, muscle, and skin degrade further and thus become stiff.
The membranes of the cells alter, and cells start losing their ability to absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide and other wastes. The body has many extra cells, which are not required by the kidneys, liver, heart, and brain. This is precisely the reason as to why people do not notice that they are losing cells and thus the functioning capacity of the organs.
When enough cells are lost, all the necessary organs show signs of being affected. In some people, the process of ageing starts at the age of fifty. Ageing affects the blood circulation patterns, and thus, some people may notice a change in the way they think or exercise.
Some people may face a gradual memory loss. Others may not even notice these typical changes until much later. Many people suffer from ailments like diabetes, blood pressure, heart problems etc. If any of these sufferings is in an acute state, it may further contribute to the speed of ageing.
A shocking fact is that many medicines may actually contribute to premature aging. If one has been on strong medications due to some severe disease, the chances of that person ageing early are much high.
Stress is another contributor towards rapid ageing. Environmental factors, such as exposure to certain toxins, may adversely affect the bodily functions and thus, ageing may set in.
Genetics has a major role to play in deciding the ageing patterns shown by every individual. The level of activity may also significantly affect the extent to which a person may age. Ageing is actually inevitable, but how one may age makes all the difference.
A steady pattern of ageing requires some discipline during youth itself. Excessive drug abuse, smoking, alcohol abuse and poor nutrition may make the ageing process set in more quickly.
Intake of medicines may affect the extent to which a person can age. People may suffer from ailments like hypertension, diabetes, heart problems etc. These ailments require strong medications; on top of this these medicines can have a detrimental effect on the state of one’s health.
The liver and the kidneys together ‘flush out’ the system of harmful toxins. Strong medicines that may be consumed in order to counter attack the symptoms of diseases may remain in the system. As one ages, the liver and kidneys lose some of their functioning capacity. As a result, the ‘left over’ medicines may not be washed out of the body and will in fact, accumulate internally. This will in turn cause further degradation of the bodily function and contribute to the process of premature ageing.
The breakdown in the functioning of liver can seriously affect cholesterol levels in a human body. The liver processes and maintains cholesterol levels in the body. With an increased cholesterol level, the human body becomes susceptible to organ specific ailments.
Thus, it becomes imperative that we’ stay young’ as much as possible. However, the term ‘staying young’ could actually act as a misnomer. One cannot be young forever and by young, a reference to the bodily and mind spirits gets hinted.
Thus, what matters is how much we delay the process of ageing and how gracefully we age. The twenty first century has made this task almost difficult. A hectic routine calls for an increased level of stress, which affects the body adversely.
People also fall prey to bad habits quickly, and this further acts as a trigger for the process of ageing. No body would want to grow old, but we cannot avoid old age. However, we definitely can look and feel younger than our chronological age.
We need to chalk out a plan that ensures a healthy ageing process. Age would set in not only in terms of the physical wellness, but also in terms of mental soundness. It is vital to be young at mind as well as at heart.
One can ensure physical fitness by a good combination of the right diet and right exercise. It is not an easy task to remain young at heart and at mind. This requires extensive efforts that go a long way in determining the ‘mental age’ of a person!
WHY DO WE BECOME OLD?
Ageing is an unavoidable part of every person’s life. One may be unable to keep away from the signs of ageing, but one can definitely ensure that the process of ageing is delayed as much as possible.
We need to look at reasons as to why one may become old. In the milestone study "Successful Aging," which was sponsored by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, researchers reached to the conclusion that our genes determine 30 percent of the entire process of aging; the remaining 70 percent is determined by lifestyles.
Age sets in because of what we do every day. This means it is necessary to remain watchful of day-to-day activities that one may be engaged in. New breakthroughs in the world of medicine have created the possibility of remaining young for long.
Scientists are working at developing new ways that makes use of surgery as well as new medications that will ensure such positive developments. Nevertheless, this is a thing of tomorrow and one cannot predict what future has in store for us. Therefore, it remains an important priority to search for ways and means of staying young at body and heart. These ways are usually related with our daily lives and routines. As such, we could categorize the reasons for ageing into three broad features.
The Genetic Theory explains that the human body has a "genetic time clock" that is pre programmed to go off. However, scientists have yet not reached to a conclusion about the exact timing and what explanation could be supplied for the variations in these ‘timings’.
What we know, as a case in the point of discussion is that the children of long-lived parents are also inclined towards leading longer lives. We also know that women outlive men and this is a worldwide phenomenon.
On the other hand, some genes can speed up the death of a human being. In recent times, the National Institutes of Health researchers recognized a gene on chromosome number 10 that may be responsible for the late commencement of Alzheimer's disease, a state of mental health that robs nearly 4 million elderly Americans of their memory. Thus, this theory propounds that how we age and what age the process of ageing will start is very much related to our genes.
The Free Radical Theory is yet one more theory that tries to explain the process of ageing in a human body. Free radicals, which are formed as a consequent reaction to everyday chemical reactions within the body, are more often than not neutralized by antioxidants before they can do permanent damage to our cells.
Vitamin E and vitamin C are considered as anti oxidants. As we age, our body's capability to create the enzymes that are responsible for producing these antioxidants weakens considerably. This fact was brought to light by researchers who were studying the process of ageing in a human body. Vitamin C is found in citric fruits and is a water-soluble vitamin while vitamin E may need to be consumed artificially.
Our diet is a key supplier of antioxidants. As age sets in, the amount of food that may be consumed typically reduces. Senior citizens are infamously poor eaters. The outcome is that free radicals in the body begin to run amok. To date, they have been touted as the leading cause for more than 20 age-related diseases to set in.
Some of these diseases are heart diseases, cancer, muscular degeneration and Parkinson's syndrome. To add insult to injury, these free radicals that are in the process of creating a havoc in the body also attack the collagen and elastin fibers which are essential components of connective tissue that keep our skin elastic and firm. The loss of moisture from skin leads to skin sags and appearance of wrinkles.
The Hormonal Theory holds hormonal activities in our body responsible for triggering the ageing process. Hormones are responsible for a number of changes within the human body.
For example, the onset of menstruation or the beginning of puberty is essentially hormone related features. Menopause, andropause, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases are some of the other conditions that are caused by hormones. The beginning of these conditions is partly triggered by the decrease in the level of hormone production. This state begins at the age of thirty and increases, as we grow older.
Hormones like estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and human growth hormone, assist us to maintain vitality and a healthy level of libido. This contributes to the ‘joys of life’. The levels of hormones found in the older population are significantly less than that found in the younger ones. As a result, the older generation becomes vulnerable to a number of ailments that could otherwise have been avoided by a satisfactory level of hormones. The presence of ailments further speeds up the process of ageing in these older adults.
THE SECRETS OF STAYING YOUNG
STAY ACTIVE
Activity can be broadly defined as a state of engaging in some form of action. This activity could be mental, physical or even spiritual. Remaining active is the best way to pass time constructively. It will allow you to make good use of your time while giving you a sense of achievement. Activity could thus actually be defined as an aim oriented task.
If we carefully observe our own lives, we will realize that we act, talk or behave in a particular manner in order to ‘achieve’ something. For example, a student may study during exam times to ‘achieve’ a good score. Thus, human behavior is goal oriented and the attainment of such goals gives a sense of satisfaction to a person.
Activity is designed to cater to such needs of a person. Whenever you want ‘stay active’, you could be thinking about any one form of activity. You may wish to be mentally, socially, physically or spiritually active.
A hobby is a good way to start being active. Hobbies make use of the special ‘gifts’ that one may have. For instance, some people are gifted musicians while others are natural dancers. However, in every case, it is not necessary that a hobby can be translated into a career or a profession. In such a case, the next best way to develop it is by engaging in your favorite activity. This acts as a stress reliever along with giving you an innate sense of satisfaction. Hobbies allow us to connect with our internal self and this in turn gives us a sense of satisfaction. A content and peaceful mind is the key to staying young and happy.
Mental, social, spiritual, and physical activities are all tasks, which are designed to "use it or lose it." You may be able to find activity in many different aspects of life. Simple mundane activities can also make up for activities. You may take up designing your living room and thus find a hobby in it. If you do not know where to start from, pay a visit to the local library. The library will have many interesting books that will provide food for thought. It will be a form of mental stimulation.
Though you may find that the collection in the library is so vast that you may require an entire lifetime to go through it, a start is just what you need. You can begin by reading the genre of books you find more interesting. What matters is that you occupy your free time sensibly. Do not waste your time and other’s time by complaining about every bad thing that has happed to you. Watching TV and sleeping at odd hours are not considered as ‘activities’.
BREAK AWAY FROM NEGATIVE THINKING
Negative thinking cripples the human mind and spirit. It is a problem that all of us share in common; each one of us tends to think with a pessimist’s mind. We often complain that we do not find the time to be ‘happy’, but the surprising part is, we have a lot of time to be’ sad’.
Often, we tend to ‘over think’ and that is what leads us to think in an unfavorable manner. Negative thinking seriously affects our attitudes and thus shapes our mental make up.
Negative thinking is unfortunately, a part of our daily lives. We live a life where we are ‘on the toes’ to meet dead lines and that is what adds on to the already prevalent pressures. This in turn increases our tendency to think negative.
Complaining is the worst thing you could ever do, every time we resort to a bout of complains, we are robbing ourselves of happiness. So, the next time you feel like complaining, stop yourself and judge the source of your complains with a neutral view. You will realize that what is worth complaining is not so bad after all. You will end up correcting bad habits and this will reduce your tendency to think negative.
One trait of negative thinkers is that they need to have the world ‘at their feet’. They are in the truest sense, childish at heart with very little maturity levels. When they fail to get what they want, they tend to think negative.
If you are one of them, it is the time for some serious introspection. You cannot perceive life from the viewpoint of a child; you need to develop a sensible and balanced approach towards the world around you. Negative thinkers are often bitter as a result of some past experiences. However, what they do not learn is the ability to let go and rectify a flawed perception. Such a perception makes a person act and behave more maturely than what he actually is.
The third most important source of such a flawed thinking style is the media. You can give them due credit for bombarding our minds with news on catastrophes, wars and other such sorrowful events. This information is absorbed by our subconscious self and shows up in your manner of thinking. When you think negative, you radiate a lot of negative energy in your comfort zones which contributes to a sort of contagion in the form of negative thinking.
It is vital for us to realize that the media is doing its job of giving a colorful representation of sordid facts in an attempt to ‘capitalize on the commercial viability’ of such events. If you feel news on disasters pulls you into a forlorn mood and ultimately affects your thinking, then you should seriously think about the amount of time you spend on watching such ‘ breaking news’.
Negative thinkers are known to be ‘mentally old’ since they have a preconceived pessimistic approach towards life. The manner in which one thinks seriously affects one’s health and thus, the onset of ageing process.
MAKE FRIENDS TO STAY YOUNG
Most of us know from personal experience that having a good circle of friends can make our lives happier and more meaningful. Research now shows that longevity also depends on these friend circles and people who are ‘friendly’ will in fact live longer! However, the same is not true of relatives; no direct correlation could be found between the presence of relatives in one’s life on the longevity.
In a 10-year longevity study of people above 70 years of age, researchers observed that a group of good friends is more liable to increase longevity in elder people rather than relatives.
Based on this study, researchers concluded that close relationships with children and relatives had very little effect on the rate of longevity for older people. People with a widespread network of good friends outlived those who had fewer friends by 22 percent. The positive outcomes of friendship on the longevity of people continued throughout the decade, despite the consequences brought about by profound changes in life. Making friends cannot be an activity that you will learn overnight. To stay young, you need to get out of your shell and face the world. Meet new people and try making new friends. A friendly person is always sought after, and thus looked upon as a jovial person. A cheerful person is known to live longer and stay young at heart.
While studies could not ascertain the cause for close friendships having a dramatic effect on longevity, the researchers came up with a number of suggestions powered by a sense of logic and observation.
Friends may encourage their older buddies to take good care of their health. They may persuade their friends to leave smoking or take a medical test. Friends may also assist the elderly people get through difficult times in their lives, by offering them emotional support. This acts as a coping mechanism that has a positive effect on their self-esteem.
A person who thinks positive invariably remains younger and happier at heart. A social network is necessary for man to grow in, and the presence of non-kin members makes a person develop a network, which is far removed from a feeling of bias.
ATTITUDE
Attitude refers to a state of mind and the way we perceive the world around us. Attitude is what sets apart a successful person from his counterparts. Attitude is in reality a theoretical construct that is a representation of an individual's likes or dislikes for an item or situations. In fact, attitudes are abstract and cannot be physically defined.
Attitudes can be positive, negative or neutral perceptions of a certain ideas, principles or objects. Attitudes can be thought of as a composition of various forms of judgments. Attitudes are a physiological response towards the happenings around a person that expresses an individual's predilection for a being.
The behavioral implication is an oral suggestion of the objective of an individual. The cognitive response is a cognitive assessment of the unit to form a particular attitude. One may form an attitude because of the environment that one lives in. Often, attitude is a product of the experiences that one has to endure.
Attitudes manifest themselves as a form of observational skills. One grows up observing a number of things happening around him. These may affect his perception about a particular subject matter or object. Attitudes shape a personality and thus, the overall well being of a person. It is an accepted fact that an attitude is instrumental in aligning a personality either positively or negatively. Personality goes a long way in determining a person’s mental health thus contributing to the process of ageing.
Attitude can also be understood as a type that an individual presumes to achieve an egotistic inclination, whether it is an acceptance, expression of control or other selfish needs. Attitude may be thought about as a primal quality to the protection of the self.
Hatred and anger could be considered as negative features of a person’s attitude. These negative features have a profound effect on the way one thinks and acts. Too much of a negative approach is capable of inducing illness and aging. Therefore, it is extremely important to remain free from negative thoughts.
Though, this is easier said than done, one can make an honest effort towards achieving the same. Rather than dwelling on the pain inflicted in the past, it is a wiser approach to let go of it. It is vain to blame other people for the bad phases in one’s life. This will make you more negative and bitter and will affect your mental health. So, instead of complaining, try to see the positive side of things. If you encounter unexpected rudeness, retaliate with equally unexpected kindness. The results will be dramatic; you will feel happier and the person who has been rude may feel crushed!
You will be able to achieve what you wanted by being nice and courteous; you proved that you are a better person and you did not hurt your internal levels of peace. Attitude could even be thought of as an accumulated pattern of behavior, you can follow these easy steps to better your attitude. It will help you remain ‘mentally happy’ and thus, allow you to stay young for a long time.
THROW OUT THE UNWANTED
Any negative thoughts or ill feelings that you hold onto will help in contributing towards an attitude tinged with negativity. At the same time, ‘throw out’ the unnecessary weight and the ‘feeling of being old’.
Growing old is a complex combination of mental and physical wellness, and because of this one must remain healthy both at health and at heart. Any excessive ‘baggage’ can dampen your spirits and make you a bitter person who looks at every illness as a sign of approaching age.
MAKE CHEERFUL FRIENDS
One tends to develop an attitude on the kind of friends one associated with. Therefore, if you have friends who look, feel and act old, the chances of you ageing faster are very high. According to researchers, the onset on ageing is as much a psychological phenomenon. If one believes that he/she is old, then that person is bound to find ‘problems’ with one’s health. Socializing with cheerful people will keep you happy and gay, and thus, keep ‘psychological ageing’ at bay!
DON’T STOP BEING A STUDENT
One of the best ways to keep your mind active is to keep learning and never give up on it. With the progress in time, many new art forms and advents of technology are becoming commonplace. Perhaps, these were not in vogue in your youth. By attempting to acquaint yourself with these ‘new discoveries’, you are in fact, training your mind to think young.
This will prevent your brain from ‘rusting’ and will allow you to utilize your free time fruitfully. It will, thus prevent any negative thoughts from forming in your mind and thus will help keep up a positive attitude in life.
ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS
This may sound like a cliché, but often, many of us overlook the simple pleasures of life. For example, taking a walk in the gardens may sound like a waste of time to many. However, these simple things contribute to a general feeling of satisfaction that will help in maintaining a positive attitude in life.
By doing ordinary things and enjoying them, one can experience a sense of relaxation and peace. The next time you have some free time, do mundane activities that would otherwise have feel like a chore.
LAUGH TO STAY YOUNG
Laughter therapy is regarded as a ‘fun way’ of staying healthy. By laughing aloud, you exercise your lungs and heart, thus allowing them to remain healthy. At the same time, you release pent up worries and stress related miseries when you laugh. This helps you feel ‘light at heart and mind’. A happy heart and a carefree mind together help keep one positive. A positive state of mind is helpful to maintain a healthy approach towards life. It allows you to age with grace and helps you stay younger for a longer time.
CRY WHEN YOU FEEL LIKE IT
Crying is the body’s way of reacting to a sense of pain and hurt. In fact, it could be regarded as the defense mechanism that the body adapts in order to counter the ill effects of hurts that may affect one’s mind. This means that it is very essential for every person to cry and feel light. It is the best way to forget the pain that one may be experiencing.
An accumulation of pain and hurt makes up for a bitter personality and helps in shaping an attitude marked by negativity. A negative attitude fuels a general feeling of ‘being old’ and will result in making you irritable and depressed at heart.
LIVE WITH WHAT YOU LOVE
Loving and being loved often makes a conspicuous difference to the way an attitude shapes up. A person who has been loved as a child would be equally loving and giving as a responsible adult. This contributes to a feeling of satisfaction and mental wellness.
One of the best ways to keep up a healthy attitude is living with the people you love and doing things that you love to do. If your grandchildren are your source of happiness, visit them often. If you enjoy social work, set aside time for it so that you remain happy at heart. Love is a wonderfully positive element that will make up for a positive attitude thus keeping you ‘young’ for a longer period.
YOUR HEALTH MATTERS
A positive attitude can be developed only if you are fit and healthy. If you do not remain wary of the deteriorations in your bodily functions, the chances of detecting any illness or curing it become slimmer. At the same time, it is also important to delay the onset of any illness that may affect one’s body. For this purpose, a healthy body is very essential. You must make every effort to stay fit, since this will affect the way you perceive things as well. It will help in determining a positive attitude, which will in turn help you stay young for longer.
STOP FEELING GUILTY
Many times, one may be blamed for the misfortunes that one may have to face. The extent to which one is blamed depends on how much someone else may be affected as a result. This gives rise to a sense of guilt that works against our principle of healthy ageing. Everyone makes mistakes, what is important is how well one takes a lesson out of these mistakes. Though guilt in small proportions is essential, a deep sense of guilt will make a person bitter and regretful. This will encourage the formation of a negative attitude and thus, will affect the graceful ageing process.
THE THREE MAGIC WORDS: I LOVE YOU
This sounds like a dialogue out of a movie script, but it is very important to give and receive love. Often, we assume that the people around us will construe our acts of concern as a sign of love. However, we could be wrong in assuming as such. Say that you love and care to the people who mean the most to you. It makes them feel happy and they in turn, will make you happy too. This will help you in building a positive attitude towards life. A positive attitude forms the backbone of good health and thus, helps you stay young for long.
EXERCISE
One of the largest causes for aging quickly is obesity. Many people are falling prey to this lifestyle syndrome and are thus, ageing early. When one wishes to stay young, a thorough regard for bodily health must be one’s first priority. Obesity is one of the leading problems of the times and it makes a human body prone to many ailments. To keep obesity at bay, one has to put in efforts. It is a must to stay fit, and the best way to do this is by exercising daily. The ill effects of lack of exercise can be many.
The first ill effect is a loss of feeling of strength. Sarcopenia is the expression coined by the scientists to illustrate the typical symptoms like loss of muscle, and quality of tissue. This condition is often seen in older adults who have led a life of inactivity.
Some doctors are of the opinion that muscle mass reduces by around 4% per decade between the ages 25 to 50. Lack of physical activity also causes a loss of endurance: As we become old, we may perhaps lose aerobic robustness. This results in a reduced sense of mobility in daily life. Lack of activity affects the flexibility levels in the body. Joints undergo a change with growing age and this can cause stiffness accompanied by a decreased range of motion and susceptibility to joint injuries. Lack of exercise on a regular basis also affects the body’s sense of balance. As one grows with age, one’s capacity to balance the body diminishes and this condition worsens if the person has remained inactive for a long time.
Hospitals see thousands of cases of hip injuries due to falls; a typical accident due to decreased sense of balance. This general loss of strength, endurance, flexibility and balance is not certain, it can be delayed by following some basic principles. The National Institute on Aging advises that when older people lose the ability to do things on their own, it is not because of deterioration in the body’s working, it is also because of prolonged periods of inactivity in their lives.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
If you have been avoiding a fitness regimen, it is high time you start with such a venture. It is never too late to adopt a new habit, but it requires great will power to continue with it. No matter what your age may be, exercise can perk up the quality of your life. You need not even spend a lot of time exercising to feel the good results.
A disciplined approach towards physical activity can help you feel better almost immediately. People who have been used to a sedentary lifestyle even claim that they feel fresh and energetic after one work out session! Like everybody else, senior citizens too need to engage in cardiovascular training, strength training and flexibility exercises to stay in a good physical shape and preserve a good deal of strength and functionality.
In order to begin a daily exercise routine, you must know exactly what an ordinary human body requires as a form of physical activity. Are you searching for a formula that will guarantee youth? Do you wish to age gracefully? Most people when asked about how they would want to age would reply that they would want to grow old retaining their independence and good health. By staying young, one hints at a general feeling of vitality that would far surpass that experienced by the other people of the same age group.
Studies have proven that exercise is important for supporting good health, functional independence of the body, and an improved quality of life in older adults. In an alternate terminology, it may facilitate the slowing of the aging process by thwarting the chances of illness and disability in senior citizens.
Heart disease is one of the chief anxieties that one faces as one ages. Osteoporosis too, is another cause of worry for many elderly people. Exercise is known to reduce the chances of developing either of these diseases. Exercise helps control blood pressure and increases the good cholesterol levels. Exercise also lessens obesity, which is a major contributor to heart disease and diabetes.
Physical activity helps in maintaining the bone density, which in turn prevents diseases like osteoporosis. Thus, by delaying, the onset of two of the most commonly observed signs of age; exercise helps in fighting the ageing process. Most people require two types of exercises to stay healthy.
The first type is the cardiovascular exercise. For the heart to remain healthy, at least 15 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise is recommended. Cardio work out can be carried out at least 3 to 5 times a week while maintaining a heart rate of 60 to 90 percent of one's maximal heart rate. For beginners, a heavy cardio routine is not recommended. It is always wise to start slow and gradually increase the pace and the time duration of a cardio session.
One good alternative is to join a health club. There you will be allowed access to a range of cardiovascular machines like elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, treadmills and cross-trainers. You can also benefit from the club's personal training staff, who will guide you with a safe work out routine. One of the simplest ways to exercise is to walk regularly. A half an hour brisk walk is an easy solution to increasing longevity. A favorite with many people is water aerobics, since it is easy on the joints and muscles. Besides being a good cardiovascular activity, water aerobics could be a lot of fun too!
Strength Training is also required as a part of the daily exercise routine. Many people believe that lifting weights is not safe and should be avoided at any cost. However, this is not true. Weight lifting is safe and effective in helping older adults gain the much required strength, balance and bone density. In a study conducted on women aged 50 to 70, the women who engaged in strength training gained 1% more bone density in the hip and spine while the group that did not engage in strength training lost 2.5 % bone density. The sense of balance of the weight lifters improved by 14% and the general physical activity level increased by around 27%.
It is necessary to work all of the major muscle groups at least twice a week. At first, you need to begin with lightweights since your body is not accustomed to heavy weights. You can keep the repetitions to a minimum. Gradually, you must increase both the repetitions and the weight. However, the primary concern while lifting weights is bodily safety. Most of us are not experts who have studied the science of fitness. Therefore, it is advisable to life weights under the able supervision of qualified fitness instructors.
FITNESS FACTS
EVERYONE STANDS TO BENEFIT
Scientists are discovering new information that stresses the importance of exercise for everyone. Exercise can prove to be beneficial for people of all age groups. Staying physically active can put off or postpone the onset of many diseases and disabilities. It has been proven that moderate exercise can improve the overall health of seniors who are weak, or who have ailments that are typical signs of ageing.
STOP BEING AFRAID
Exercise and physical activity help you develop a system that is healthy and better in its functions. It is the key to remaining young for long. However, many people and especially the older adults are afraid of routine workouts. They may be anxious that exercise might prove to be tiring, or that physical activity may cause some harm to their body. However, researchers opine otherwise. They say that exercise is safe for all age groups and those older adults will do their body’s more harm by not exercising.
A dormant lifestyle can be the reason as to why older adults lose their functioning in four areas that are imperative for staying independent: strength, endurance, balance, and flexibility.
INCREASE YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY
A research conducted on the benefits of exercise for both men and women reported that the life expectancy is directly related to the amount of physical activity in an individual’s life. For men who are 50 years or older, a moderate level of physical activity led to 1.3 years extra in total life expectancy and 1.1 years lived without the signs of cardiovascular disorders.
For women who are 50 years or older, a moderate physical activity routine led to an increase by 1.5 years in total life expectancy, and 1.3 more years without cardiovascular disorders. The study proves that one can ‘add years’ by engaging in some form of physical activity on a regular basis.
DIET AND NUTRITION
This may sound monotonous and repetitive to you, but a balanced diet definitely is very important in deciding the overall health of an individual. A balanced diet ensures a strong immune system thus making the body strong enough to fight the disease causing germs.
Exercise is always complemented by a good diet plan and thus, balanced and ‘manageable’ diets go hand in hand. A crash diet system may give you stunning results as far as weight loss is concerned, but it will prove to be harmful for your system in the end. For one, it will weaken your immune system and secondly, the moment you switch back to a normal diet, you will gain weight quick. Therefore, a diet that has all the required nutrients must be consumed.
It is advisable to eat six small meals a day instead of three large ones. This will keep the blood sugar level in check and will help in maximizing nutrient absorption. Avoid soda, sugar, or hydrogenated oil in the daily food preparations.
You may wish to add meal replacements for providing maximum nutrition to your system. It is crucial to eat carbohydrates at breakfast and after physically strenuous activities. A sufficient protein intake guarantees effective muscle building and maintenance. If you are out for dinner, eat a portion of raw salads along with your main course. The salad will provide your body with fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. At the same time, it will help you curb those pangs of hunger.
Many people tend to ‘ binge’ especially hen they go out for food. This may cause the food to remain undigested in your stomach. The undigested food ferments, and increases your chances of colon cancer. A good diet plan should be a habit that one should follow from a young age.
In your early twenties, increase your intake of calcium thereby keeping osteoporosis at bay. It is important to keep you bones healthy and for this purpose, include three servings of milk and dairy products in your diet. In the late twenties, ensure that you get the recommended daily 400 micrograms of folic acid. Being a type of vitamin B, good sources of folic acid are green, leafy vegetables and citrus fruits.
In your thirties, the rate of metabolism has slowed down considerably. Thus, it is now essential to eat a balance meal, which has fewer calories than before. It is especially necessary to avoid junk food at this age. Beyond forties, it is vital to watch what you eat. A balanced meal will ensure that the body receives all the vital nutrients for regular functioning. With increasing age, increasing amount of fat gets deposited on your organs. Thus, it is very important to control the fat intake. You may wish to consult a nutritionist who will help you chalk out an effective diet plan.
VITAMINS AND SUPPLEMENTS
You must aim to make your meal wholesome and balanced. However, it is very possible that your diet may not provide you with all the vitamins and minerals that your body needs for smooth functioning. For example, zinc as a trace mineral may not be found in sufficient quantities in a vegetarian diet. Thus, it is necessary to take supplements in addition to a full meal. You may wish to consult your doctor for the same.
Vitamins and minerals play a fundamental role in maintaining the health and well-being of our bodies. Our bodies cannot make vitamins, and thus they need to be acquired through our diet. As a result of drastic environmental changes, the food that we eat cannot be the sole source of vitamins. Some vitamins that are required by the body are vitamin A, the B group of vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E etc. for example, vitamin E is required for its antioxidant properties by the bodies of older people.
Similarly, a lack of vitamin A can cause night blindness. Thus, each vitamin and mineral has a specific job to perform. If, however, any one of these vitamins or minerals are not present in the required quantities, their absence would be felt in the form of some illness. Most people are advised to take a daily mineral and vitamin supplement. However, it is always wise to approach a doctor before you decide a course of medicines based o the coarse level of your knowledge.
WONDER DIETS
The Mediterranean diet has been regarded as a wonder diet that allows people to age gracefully. Oldways, Harvard School of Public Health and the World Health Organization introduced the Mediterranean Diet in 1993. It is based on the conventional food preparation eaten by the natives of the Mediterranean region.
This diet includes olives and olive oil, very little red meat, whole grains, fish and seafood. People who live in the Mediterranean region have a propensity to eat a diet that is high in fat, but surprisingly, show a lower commonness of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer as compared to people living in other parts of the world. This fact is in stark contrast to the commonly accepted ideas of diet. Researchers concluded that the olive oil provides most of the fat requirement of this diet and as it is a source of monosaturated fat.
The difference in the effects of the diet could also be because a Mediterranean diet is a whole diet rich in fiber and antioxidants derived from vegetables, legumes and nuts. It also has low amount of saturated fat owing to the fact that very little red meat is consumed. Milk and dairy products too are consumed in limited proportions as opposed to a western diet system.
You do not have to be a Greek to eat and relish a Mediterranean diet. This diet can be thought of as a food pyramid with the base made up of foods like cereals, whole grain breads, pasta, potatoes and rice. Fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables make up the next portion of the pyramid followed by cheese, yogurt and olive oil.
Food preparations made out of poultry, fish and eggs should be eaten only once a week and red meat in consumed as little as once a month. This diet makes it essential to have six to eight glasses of water everyday and consume moderate quantities of red wine. A sweet treat can be eaten once a week.
To follow the Mediterranean diet, replace the oil you are using now with olive oil. Avoid cooking in butter or margarine. Eat lots of fresh vegetables, preferably in their raw form. Vegetables are an excellent source of fiber and are also low in calories. It will ensure a healthy digestive system and reduce the chances of colon cancer.
Replace your refined white bread and pasta with whole grain preparations. Whole grain cereals are a rich source of fiber and taste as good as refined products. Consume fish as a part of your meals since fish is known to be a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that are good for your heart and your brain. Fish is low in fat and also a good source of protein.
If you happen to eat chicken, bake it or broil it, deep frying is not a part of this diet at all. Limit your red meat consumption. An ordinary western diet is heavily dependent on forms of red meat, which may be the reason as to why cases of heart disease and obesity are on the rise in the western world.
Red meat has high proportions of saturated fat, which is bad for the heart. Consume a lot of legumes and pulses since they are an excellent source of protein.
Substitute your ordinary dessert by fresh fruits. Besides being sweet, fruits are high in fiber and rich in nutrients. Yogurt and cheese are good sources of calcium and you can include them in your diet. If you wish to consume milk, make sure that it is low fat milk. Water flushes out the toxins from the body and the Mediterranean diet recommends no upper limit for the amount of water that you can drink; drink as much as your stomach can hold! This diet also includes a glass or two of red wine everyday. A
GOOD NIGHT’S REST
Sleep is essential for the body to remain healthy, but what matters is the time you go to bed. Researchers say that each hour of rest before midnight is equivalent to two hours of sleep post midnight. Thus, it is important that your body gets sufficient rest for 6 to eight hours per day. Some people may need seven hours of rest, while some may require eight hours of rest. This is an individual requirement and you would know what your body needs the best.
Many people do not realize the serious implications of sleep deprivation. A study was conducted on rats to study the effects of insufficient rest. They were barred from sleeping and most of the rats died in ten days. A lack of sleep slows down your body and can even cause hallucinations. A slowed system is the first sign of age and thus, people who have suffered from a chronic condition of sleeplessness for long tend to become old early.
Research indicates that a person who is 20% sleep-deprived has the mental perspicacity of a person who is legally intoxicated! According to a study, a typical American does not get enough rest.
Lack of sleep could have many harmful effects on your body. It will affect your learning and memory power. Sleep helps the brain grasp new information and commit it to memory following a process called as memory consolidation. Lack of sleep affects this process thus weakening the memory. A weak memory is a typical sign of an ‘old person’.
Unceasing sleep deficiency may result in weight gain by affecting the way our bodies process and accumulate carbohydrates. In worst cases, it may even alter the levels of hormones thus changing our appetite. Sleep deprivation contributes to a greater predisposition of falling asleep during the daytime. These lapses may result in falls and mishaps like accidents, medical errors, etc.
An insufficient amount of sleep may result in mood swings characterized by impatience, irritability, inability to concentrate, and moodiness. Cardiovascular health is seriously affected by a lack of sufficient rest. Hypertension and increased levels of stress are a fall out of chronic sleep loss. A lack of sleep may result in weakening of the immune system. This changes the body’s ability to fight diseases. It is an accepted fact that one can keep away from cancer by resting well at nighttime.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS
These are factors typical to the environment that we live in. By environment, we mean the world around us. There are a number of toxins present around us. They can cause the onset of ageing.
For example, people working in paint factories are exposed to high concentration of lead. Lead poisoning can have serious implications on the state of one’s health. Many a times, we may not even know that toxins that could rob us of our youth surround us. Some of these toxins are sunlight, since it damages the skin.
Cigarette smoke severely affects the respiratory system. Chlorine and chemicals found in tap water, butter, hydrogenated fats, dust and mites, household chemicals, chemicals found in cosmetics, fumes from plastic devices, etc are the other known toxins. You must attempt to avoid these toxins and thus, allow your body to age naturally and not because of external factors.
THE POWER OF PETS
Owning a pet has a number of health related benefits. Some doctors who works with elderly people have prefer to have dogs as pets. The doctors claim that having a pet around has a two-fold effect. It keeps them calm and focused and the older patients enjoy the company of these furry animals. Dogs are considered as the ‘new therapists’ by many researchers.
Having a pet around can cure you of loneliness. Loneliness is one of the most harmful risk factors that may aggravate the health conditions of heart patients. Studies have proven that patients who suffer from heart problems but own pets are more likely to have five times the survival rate of the heart patients who do not own pets.
Pets act as companions to their owners and dogs are known to be very loyal friends as well! Another big advantage of owning a pet is that this can stimulate a sense of relaxation in the pet owner. The simple act of petting an animal is known to reduce the blood pressure. In fact, doctors are advising patients suffering from blood pressure to own pets.
The health benefits of petting an animal were brought to light by a study conducted in order to test the effects of pet ownership. Forty-eight stockbrokers suffering from hypertension were enlisted in this study. Twenty-four of them were given a pet while undergoing treatment for hypertension. It was noted that those having pets responded more quickly to the medications and even showed signs of lowered stress. The human- animal bond is truly genuine and thus, has a number of advantages for the pet owner. Pets can be emotional lifesavers for their owners since they help the owners adapt and deal with profound changes in life. The unconditional love of the pets gives the owners a sense of responsibility and a reason to ‘live on’. In fact, they may help people understand the cycles of life better and may thus help them accept the continuity of life.
Dogs as pets especially can promote good-risk mannerisms and conduct. Research illustrates that while walking a dog, owners are inclined to make eye contact and thus interact with more people. Walking is one of the best exercises and people who own dogs will tend to walk more. Having a dog can even affect a person’s moods and temperament.
Forty percent of the people who own dogs find that they can make friends more easily. That camaraderie between humans and their pets is not just reassuring; it is a reason of continued existence. Scientists also say that the evolution of humans from the village days to the current urban age would not have been possible without the companionship of animals.
Having pets keeps people happy at heart and positively affects their perception of life. A healthy perception shapes a positive attitude, which is essential for keeping positive spirits. A positive spirited person is ‘mentally happy’ and thus, considers himself to be young. The unconditional love of pets also helps a person age gracefully.
ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
QIGONG
Qigong is a Chinese art that is known to have positive effects on the health of a person. ‘Qi’ for our vital energy, or breath and ‘ gong’ means the practice or cultivation. Qigong, thus, effectively means the cultivation of the fundamental energy the Chinese refer to as Qi. Despite the fact that Qigong has been studied by the Chinese physicians for thousands of years, the Western scientists have begun to apply this scientific method as a part of increasing longetivity of people only in the resent times. The Qi-cultivating exercises are effective in lowering blood pressure, easing addictions, improving heart function, reducing the frequency of falls and fractures amongst elderly people etc. It is also known to reduce anxiety, fatigue, tension, depression, and mental confusion that may affect people of any age.
Qigong has been prevalently related to astonishing acts by masters who can move objects just by pointing their fingers or illuminate light bulbs simply by holding them in their hands. Some of these masters can even dissolve tumors without touching a patient’s body! A self-healing technique, Qigong can also be thought of as a cure for ailment like arthritis, asthma, AIDs etc. Given the mounting popularity of Eastern remedies, it is very likely that Qigong could be used as an effective cure for some terminal diseases. This will help people stay young and healthy for a long time.
YOGA & MEDITATION
These days, yoga gets more attention that the leading ladies of Hollywood! Yoga has been touted as the ultimate distress technique. Practicing yoga can help in lowering blood pressure, lowering increased heart rate, decrease stress etc. It is known to increase a sense of relaxation and leaves a person with a sense of peace and tranquility.
Research has proven that Meditation can help an individual maintain a sense of psychological and physiological well-being. Meditation accomplishes this by bringing the brainwave pattern into an alpha state, which is a level of consciousness that promotes healing. Thus, meditation is a self-healing process. At the same time, it also allows sufficient supply of oxygen to the body. The longer a person practices meditation, the greater the chances that his or her personal goals will shift toward spiritual intensification.
Many people who learn meditation because it is self-healing find that as their practice intensifies, they are drawn into the spiritual spheres. Pranayama, a traditional Indian form of breathing has shown astounding results incurring people of cancer and other terminal ailments. Yoga and meditation work best in combination rather than in isolation and can be practiced as an alternative therapy for staying young.
LAUGHTER THERAPY
Healthy and non-ridiculing laughter has a number of benefits on the psychological, physiological and spiritual levels. Human beings have the capacity to laugh, it is thus, important that we learn to laugh. However, this laughter should not be derisive in order to have a positive effect on one’s health. Laughter therapy is a new technique that counters the effects of ageing.
The best part about laughing is that you do not need any reason to laugh; you can laugh whenever you feel like. You need to know that laughing is a sort of mental as well as physical exercise. It is a mental exercise because it relieves you of the pent up effects of stress and anxiety. It exercises the muscles of your lungs and heart and thus, is a physical exercise. Laughter is known to strengthen the immune system. It also has a positive effect on the memory retention capacity of the brain and thus, improves your intellectual performance.
KEEP YOUR VISION INTACT
One of the most common signs of ageing is failing vision. You can ensure that you continue to have good eyesight by visiting your eye doctor regularly. A diet rich in vitamin A is also essential for the same.
LASIK
The popularity of LASIK, which stands for Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratomileusis, is soaring. It is the quickest and the painless way to go in for a vision correction in order to delay ageing. However, Lasik may not suit everyone and you must talk toy our doctor before undergoing it.
PHYSICAL CHECK UP
You must get used to a complete physical examination at least once a year. In your twenties, a yearly visit to your physician is necessary and after that, you may plan for a half-yearly visit.
DENTAL CHECK UP
Do not forget that a set of healthy teeth means an enjoyable experience at meal times! You must visit your dentist periodically for any signs of oral problems. Losing or weakening of teeth is one of the first signs of ageing
SPECIAL CHECK UPS FOR WOMEN
In addition to the regular physical check ups, women must go in for gender specific check ups too. The popular ones are the mammogram and the pap smears. This will allow you to identify any traits of problems early on.
CHECK YOUR COLON
Your colon is an indicator of your digestive system’s health and a digestive system affects your entire system. So, keep your colon healthy and ensure a long life.
OBEY YOUR DOCTOR
We told you about the importance of visiting your doctor. You must now do what your doctor asks you to do, for he knows what the best is for you at this stage.
MEMORY EXERCISE
Memory perfection is a significant thing to consider, as you get older. Many people attempt for quick ways to improve memory once they arrive at their golden years, but this improvement can be learnt at any age. Memory degrades with advancement in age, so you must learn some quick ways of boosting your memory. This way, you will be a t a lesser risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s.
STOP SMOKING
Studies have shown that smokers forget people's names and faces faster than the nonsmoking population. All of us know the other obvious ill effects of smoking. Smoking thus, not only hurts your body, but it also hurts your mind.
HORMONAL SUPPLEMENTS
A drop in the level of hormones is a typical sign of approaching age. A normal level of hormones keeps the bodily functions smooth and a drop may indicate the beginning of problems. You may consult your doctor on the hormonal supplements that you may wish to take.
PREVENT CANCER
You can prevent your body from developing cancer by being aware of the likely causes of this disease. You can take steps to protect yourself against major carcinogenic factors like toxins, infections, mitochondrial damage from free oxygen radicals, and genetic defects.
PROTEIN FIGHTS AGE
A diet rich in protein is known to retard the onset of age. According to a recent study, a diet that is rich in fish and eggs can help increase the body’s ability to ‘remain young’ and ‘fight age’.
FIGHT STRESS
Stress is leading cause of many diseases like heart failures and hypertension. Stress is a by-product of our lifestyles, and we must ensure that we fight this stress. Busting stress helps in slowing down the ageing process.
EAT LESS TO REMAIN HEALTHY
Eating less is important to allow your stomach some ‘rest period’. Eat small meals four times a day instead of two large ones; this will keep you free from any digestive problems.
DO NOT DIET
Scientists are now making us aware of the ill effects of crash dieting. They could harm your digestive system and leave your body begging for nutrients. So, eat healthy instead of cutting down on your food intake.
STOP OVER EATING
This sounds like a dietician’s advice, but it is a small tip that we all should keep in mind. Over eating can make you obese and that will trigger a host of health problems that will rob you of your youth.
CONTROL YOUR ANGER
Anger is a negative emotion and it will upset your mood. Mood swings affect mental health and a person who is not ‘mentally healthy’ will grow old quickly.
TAKE A HOLIDAY
A holiday will help you relax and connect with your better half. A healthy person has meaningful relationships to bank upon, so take those efforts to make time for your loved ones. A holiday is the perfect way to go about it.
AVOID FATIGUE
Our bodies’ are equipped to take an increased level of activity only for a short duration. Therefore, you must decide how much you can make yourself toil and if you feel you are crossing the limits that you have set for yourself, it is time to act. Stop over working and allow a daily rest pattern to enjoy better health.
SHORT TELOMERES
These are the short little tips at the end of chromosomes and a shortening of these tips may cause problems like memory loss. You need to exercise regularly in order to prevent such things from happening.
INEFFICIENT MITOCHONDRIA
Mitochondria are the power plants in your body and their wear and tear will lead to an ill functioning cardiovascular system. You can increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids by eating plenty of fish. Be sure that you broil or bake the fish that you eat and do not fall prey to fried temptations!
LACK OF NITRIC OXIDE
In your body, you have a short-lived gas, which is known as nitric oxide that opens up the arteries. This will ensure a smooth flow of blood to your heart. With growing age, your ability to produce nitric oxide decreases and thus, your blood circulation can be affected. So, learn some deep breathing techniques.
BE OPTIMISTIC
People who discover the tricks of maintaining an optimistic attitude may not only stay away from depression, they may even essentially perk up their physical health. So, stay positive if you wish to be young for long.
MOVE ON IN LIFE
You will go through many good and bad things in life, and these incidents could affect you deeply. What you have to learn is that life goes on; you cannot live in the past. Train yourself to face the harsh realities of life; it will help you become mentally stronger.
INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
It is the technique of ‘treating the whole person’ and not just the disease. Both doctors and patients alike are opening up to this philosophy since it helps cure the disease much faster. The next time you are down with some disease, ask your doctor for a whole person approach to treating your problem.
ASSESS YOUR PERSONALITY TYPE
You could be either type A or type B personality and you need to know that. People belonging to type A are more prone to stress and thus, the related medical problems. You should make an effort in changing your personality type to B if you are a type A.
THE BROKEN HEART SYNDROME
Your doctor will be able to tell you that the ‘broken heart syndrome’ is a medical condition. It just shows how your heart is vulnerable to stress. When you cope with stress, special hormones are released in the blood, which may be toxic to the health of the heart.
GO FOR A MASSAGE
Massage therapy has been confirmed to be beneficial for many persistent health conditions like back pain, bursitis, fatigue, diabetes, high blood pressure, infertility, smoking cessation, depression, etc. Massage is an effective cure against stress, which is a by-product of everyday life.
SHOP TO FEEL HAPPY
Shopping is a therapy that is known to make you ‘feel good’ about yourself. Therefore, the next time you feel down, shop for your favorite dress or gadget and feel happy. A happy mind will help the body live much longer.
KNOW YOUR BODY
In order to be healthy, you must understand your body and love it. You must learn to decode the ‘warning signs’ that your body might give and to read them effectively. Our body shows sign of any illness before it flares up, so be watchful for these hints that the body may give you.
KNOW YOUR MEDICINES
Ask your doctor about the generic name of your medicines and the way the medicines will affect you. You must know the expected side effects as well. This will help you decide the right ‘treatment’ for yourself when the doctor is not around.
LIVE YOUR MARRIAGE
If you are married, make an honest effort to make it work. A happy marriage means both of you will be emotionally content and that will keep you ‘mentally happy’. This will mean you will stay younger and happier together!
ENJOY SEX
Do we need to be told this? What matter is that you remain true to your partner and ‘make love’ and not just ‘make out’!
AROMATHERAPY
The right scents can cure you of that depression and can change your mood. With the right type of oils, muscle aches heal more rapidly burns and bruises heal sooner, and fatigue will be reduced. This will help you remain healthy and young.
DEEP BREATHING
Breathing the wrong way can generate tension; fatigue and vocal damage, and promotes aches and illnesses. The art of correct breathing will help you keep diseases at bay and thus give you more years of youth.
MAGNET THERAPY
Magnet therapy is being used to treat depression and other ailments like back pain and sprains. A healthy body and mind will ensure that you stay young for long.
REIKI
Reiki can be used for the treatment of illnesses ranging from asthma to cancer to depression. Reiki sessions are effectively being used to combat pain, to accelerate recuperation from surgery and to reduce side effects of medicines. This ensures equilibrium of the mind and body.
BOTOX
If you wish to look young, you may opt for Botox injections. However, Botox may come with its set of side effects, so the best thing for you to do is to ask a doctor before undergoing any such treatment.
ACCEPTING AGE UNACCEPTINGLY
What we cannot avoid is the fact that growing old is a part of life. However, one should strive to make this ageing process as graceful as possible. Ageing gracefully is as much a mental exercise as is a physical one.
One has to train one’s mind to understand that ageing is imperative and being ready for it is the best way to fight the signs of ageing. The two main requirements of successful aging are acceptance of the aging process and not accepting what can be changed. These two factors are instrumental in allowing a person to relax mentally.
ACCEPT WHAT YOU CANNOT CHANGE
Sometimes success in life is defined by the ability of embracing what comes our way for that moment. It thus becomes a reason for a positive attitude in people. A common illustration of this tendency is the case of a couple who get ‘pregnant’ when they have given up on having babies of their own. The lesson that one should learn from this is that we learn to relax and stop worrying. Worrying often leads to a sense of anxiety that is further compounded by a feeling of loss at not having achieved what one may desire.
It is vital for us to note that such worrying is not going to change the situation, so the only way to face the situation is to accept it with grace. This will ‘relax’ a person enough that it will result in bringing a person out of the "fight" mode that causes us to act rashly. Relaxation instead allows us to focus on the problem at hand and take wise decisions that will help us deal with a situation effectively. Rather than spending on anti ageing products, confronting one’s fears will help in retarding the onset of ageing.
DO NOT ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN CHANGE
It is a well-established fact that attitude affects the process of ageing in an individual. Much of the typical feature of ageing is a result of a belief that degeneration in the function and quality of life is inevitable. While the inevitability factor cannot be overlooked, it is also imperative to note that that process of ageing need not be uniform for every individual.
Every person is different in terms of physical and mental wellness. This will prove to be the key determining factor in the progression of age. Moreover, many problems associated with old age are not due aging process, but rather because of the effects of a lifetime defined by increased levels of stress and poor habits. What we cannot change is the fact that every passing day brings us closer to death. Mortality is an unavoidable part of our lives. As soon as we notice signs of aging, we are reminded of the fact that our body is eventually going to perish. As we grow old, we come to terms with this impending mortality, and to deal with this phenomenon, we need to rely on our spiritual self. Our "spiritual health" determines how we face the knowledge that death is waiting for us. It thus allows us to remain young despite knowing that everyone is bound to die eventually. With an increase in age, the role expectations change. We need to learn to handle grief effectively if we have to accept ageing as a part of life.