Having my birthday coming up soon makes me think about aging. Every year we get one year older, but in the last 7 or 8 years I feel like I have aged at double speed. So, lately I have started to read on reversing the aging process. Is it really possible?
A woman as old as she looks.
Mortimer Collins
I see 70-year-olds on rollerblades, or lifting weights at the gym, 60-year-olds are participating in triathlons. And at the same time, they look like they are still 35 years old. Some do not look a day older than their own children; slim, fit, with a smooth skin and above all healthy. How do they do it?
There are many factors in our lifestyle that age us. As we all know there are some bad habits that make us look old very quickly. Smoking affects not only our lungs, but it also makes our skin look old, our gums bad (which makes our teeth fall out), and even causes hair loss. Other habits or lifestyles also affect the aging process. Here are a few:
- Being emotionally unhealthy makes you age faster than you should. Worries and stress should be avoided. Learn to find happiness and satisfaction within yourself.
- Strong friendships and healthy marriages help protect your health. A good way to cultivate a social life is to be a good friend to others. Joining groups and clubs will also expand your social life and expected life span.
- Eating habits greatly influence your aging. I could make a list of vitamins and minerals that are very important when you want to slow down the aging process (like vitamin C and E, Folic Acid, Potassium, etc), but it is better to say that you have to eat more healthy; eat unprocessed grains, fruits, veggies, lots of fish, not too much red meat, and eat at regular times. Do not skip breakfast and do take multi vitamin supplements daily.
- Many people nowadays live with chronic sleep deprivation (for many different reasons) and age before their time. Too much sleep is just as bad and can raise blood pressure levels. Create a healthy sleeping schedule and stick with it.
- Not enough physical exercise makes us age really fast. We do not look any younger when we are obese, have our skin and fat hanging from our body, and have to stop halfway a flight of stairs to catch our breath. Burn some calories, do strength exercises (90 minutes per week), add more cardio to your routine (half hour per day), and include a few balance and flexibility exercises (30 minutes per week). Not choose one of these options, but do (at least) all of them.
Mark Twain
So, after reading this, do you think you are doing well? Do you feel younger or older than you really are?
As I wrote, the last few years I feel that I have aged at double speed. I exercise less than before, my eating habits have not improved and I do not really get enough sleep. I took the RealAge test and found that the biological age of my body is 17% older than my chronological age. It is time to start reversing the aging process and get younger! The good thing is that RealAge creates a personalized plan for you and lets you set goals for the next three months. If you want you can sign up for motivational emails to help you reach your goal.
Take the test! And do not forget to let me know any shocking results that the test gave you or New Year’s resolutions that you have made!
