Aging Factors

Aging Factors
Life quality encompasses a whole raft of considerations from the physical, psychological to the social and cultural and there may be difficulty fostering change dealing with thoughts and physical conditions that have been part of life from early childhood. Stress is possibly the major cause of early aging. The stress response becomes problematic when the body becomes over-stressed and impacts on the capacity to cope with day to day stuff. Body response to stress is to activate the nervous system and trigger the hypothalamus to initiate greater production from the adrenal glands of two hormones adrenaline and cortisol for release into the bloodstream. These hormones speed up heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, and metabolism. The physical changes prepare you to react quickly and effectively to handle the pressure of the moment.

Failure to control stress levels over an extended period can have dire consequences on health generally and if sustained will cause premature aging. The cardiovascular system becomes constricted, the immune system less efficient and the body's capacity for carrying out normal and vital functions is hindered.

Stress management techniques are well known but require discipline to implement. Stress circuit breakers can be simple things such as taking a periodic 5 minute break or set aside one possibly two 15 - 20 minute periods each day and just sit with a still mind. If really time restrained just step away from whatever is demanding your attention and take 2 or 3 deep breaths exhaling slowly through pursed lips. Breathing releases nitric oxide into the circulatory system causing blood vessel relaxation, improved circulation and stress reduction.

More time intensive stress control measures may be learning a yoga technique, Tai Chi, boating, golfing or just getting out into nature. A good night's sleep in conjunction with reduced alcohol intake can have wonderful rejuvenating qualities.

Malnutrition is a major cause of aging. Perhaps a little surprising when most people reading this live in a "land of plenty". Plenty in this context could be read as plenty of junk, junk food. For the first time in decades average life expectancy in many developed countries is forecast to decline over the next 20 to 30 years, the reason is poor diet. Obesity is now a major epidemic and is rapidly becoming a leading cause of serious health problems and premature death.

There is absolutely no better option to home prepared meals using fresh ingredients, eaten slowly whilst sitting down either by yourself or with the family or friends. Ingredients should be fresh and preferably organic as their nutrient value will be higher than conventionally farmed produce and free of chemical residues.

Exercise is the third plank in a healthy body strategy Observation of older persons suggests weakening muscle strength is an inevitable part of aging. Age related hormonal changes will result in loss of muscle mass although the rate of loss can be substantially reduced with an appropriate exercise programme. Three to four times per week of varied activity (aerobic and resistance exercise) lasting a minimum of 30 minutes per session will see dramatic improvements in fitness levels, general health and feelings of well being.

A desire to live a long and healthy is not wishful thinking. In the early twentieth century the academic community became aware of populations of people living in various locations on different continents whose life expectancy was well beyond one hundred years, the Abkhasia people in Russian Georgia, Okinawans in Japan, people living in Vilcabamba in South America and the Hunzas of Pakistan. Research defined a common thread with the centenarians in each society, they enjoyed community respect, were amazingly active each day and consumed low calorie highly nutritious diets. Investigation showed that as a group they were remarkably free from illness and diseases common in developed countries. Diabetes was unknown, cardiovascular health was remarkable, cancer almost unknown and without exception they had a bright, optimistic and reverential outlook on life.

Mental fitness for those not suffering an illness is largely the control of stress. The mind body connection is an intimate one with total interdependence Feelings of contentment and wellbeing reflect on body health in the same way physical conditions affect the mental world. The aim of living to 100 is worthy only if those older years are with good health. For most people the years we live and the quality of those years have a lot to do with lifestyle choices made earlier in life. Why not make the decision to bring about change in a measured and determined fashion, you might be surprised how good it feels.
Aging Factors