Don’t know about you, but barely a month and a half into 2017, most of us are feeling distinctly hurried and stressed. Life is hectic! And, oh yes, you can definitely feel it on your psyche, but, worst of all; you can see it in the mirror too! The saggy cheeks, scrawny neck and huge bags under the eyes … Is anxiety and stress the new biological clock ageing us prematurely?
Sure, a certain amount of stress is good; if we had no stress we would be unmotivated to do anything! But, chronic stress, as we all know, has a number of negative effects on our physical and emotional well-being. Question is, does stress truly accelerate the ageing process?
Here’s what we know: In 2004 scientists started to study telomeres, which are the tips of strands of DNA rather like the tips on the end of a shoelace. Telomeres stop DNA from fraying. When it does fray though, the cells stop being healthy; if it is a skin cell, it will cease to function properly and will appear aged. Studies have shown that the chief enemy of telomeres is stress, which explains why former US president Barack Obama went grey after just a few months in the White House! Turns out this outward sign of ageing was caused by damage to his telomeres.
The good news is that according to research the erosion of telomeres can not only be haltered by reducing stress, they can be stimulated to grow again, actually reversing the effects of ageing! The human body is a remarkable thing, right?
But, does this mean we can all regain smooth skin, no grey hair? Not exactly, but a study published in The Lancet Oncology, scientifically proves that ageing at a cellular level can be reversed by a few lifestyle tweaks.
The takeaway? We have more control over our health and our looks than we think. Turns out the most powerful tool in the battle against ageing is how we live our lives.
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com, www.huffingtonpost.co.za, www.diy-stress-relief.com, www.healthy-ageing-for-women-babyboomers.com, stylecaster.com, www.dailymail.co.uk, www.menshealth.com, www.askwomennet.com, www.sharecare.com, www.shape.com
DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.