Tips to prevent ageing
We are yet to devise a wonder drug or other treatment to prevent all the physical symptoms of ageing or to make us live longer. There are, however, many safe natural methods of reducing some of the problems associated with ageing and of helping ourselves to stay as fit and well as possible so that we can enjoy our natural life span to the fullest.
What is ageing?
Ageing is associated with increasingly slow cell division, mechanical wear and tear, the continued loss of brain cells, various environmental factors damaging the genes, and free radicals causing oxidative damage. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules created through normal process of generating energy within cells, but their labels are raised by smoking, an unhealthy diet and anxiety. Their effects on the body as it ages include loss of elasticity in the skin, blood vessels and tendons, as well as a progressive decline in organ and joint function.
Grey Hair:
You may not be able to stop your hair from turning grey or your skin from losing the smoothness of youth, but you can do much to avoid a pot belly, mental confusion, dimming eye-sight, stiff joints and many of the other problems of ageing.
Mental wellbeing:
Activities such as engaging in stimulating discussions, reading a book or a news paper, solving a crossword puzzle and playing chess or bridge helps to keep memory sharp.
Relationships
Fostering good relationships with family and friends is life enhancing and life lengthening, probably because it reduces stress, boosts the levels of natural body chemicals that foster a feeling of well-being, and provides another reason for living. Even having a pet can prolong life by reducing your stress levels and lowering your blood pressure.
Stress management:
High levels of stress encourage more rapid ageing. Stress can also lead to arterial disease and trigger illnesses like infections, arthritis and migraine. Minimize the pressures in your life and learn how to manage your reactions to those that remain.
Sex
Those who enjoy regular sex tend to live longer, perhaps because of the emotional intimacy and physical exercise of sex and stress relief of cuddling, as well as the increased levels of hormones that are released during orgasm, which widen the blood vessels.
Exercise:
At minimum, get half an hour of moderately vigorous exercise 5 days a week. It will make you feel happier, increase your mental powers, and improve the health of your heart, lungs, skin, eyes and other tissues.
Healthy diet:
Well-nourished people who are not overweight tend to age more slowly and suffer from fewer ailments. Poor diet especially when it is combined with lack of exercise can lead to the accumulation of fat around the abdomen. This form of weight gain carries an increased risk of diabetes and arterial disease, which may reduce quality of life and life expectancy.
Youthful skin:
Help slow the ageing of skin by taking the following measures: 1. Protect yourself from excessive exposure to the sun. 2. Prevent skin dryness and wrinkles by applying the moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15 everyday. 3. Smooth on a little anti-oxidant oil each day. Make it by adding 1 drop of Geranium or Thyme oil to a teaspoon of sweet almond oil.
