Ways to Slow the Hands of Time
While it may be somewhat apocryphal, legend has it that Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon traveled to Florida in search of the Fountain of Youth. And though he was more likely there to search for gold and expand the Spanish empire, the story of vitality-restoring water is one that continues to intrigue us to this day.
This doesn't come as a surprise, considering that even people of the 21st century are still on a quest for eternal youth. Some turn to plastic surgery and injections of botulism (also known as Botox), while others dole out thousands of dollars at so-called "anti-aging" centers to undergo hormone replacement therapy. I honestly pass no judgment on either group; to each their own is what I say. However, it's still worth mentioning that there are natural and safe ways to slow down the hands of time, and none of them require going under the knife or sailing a Spanish galleon across the Atlantic.
Eat fish once a week -- Researchers from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found that doing so can slow age-related cognitive decline by 10 percent
Stop smoking -- Aside from the more obvious harm it causes your lungs, smoking also triples your chances of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says a study from Cambridge University.
Stay active -- A study from Rutgers University revealed that inactivity in older age is one of the major modifiable lifestyle factors that increased the likelihood of being placed in a nursing home over the next twenty years.
Keep chatting -- A Johns Hopkins study found that office workers who keep to themselves are more likely to develop heart disease over time than their more social colleagues
Would it be great if there truly was a Fountain of Youth? Absolutely. But until it's discovered (and that's going on the enormous assumption that such a thing even exists), the best bet at holding onto youth is a clean and active lifestyle. Oh, and just for the record, Ponce de Leon, during his final search for these vitality-restoring waters, was fatally wounded with a poison arrow by the Calusa Indians of Florida. Yet another reason why you may want to stick to the more traditional ways of slowing down the hands of time.
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Mean, grumpy people seem to live longer than others. Why is that?
ReplyI don't know if it's that the live longer, or that we notice them more. Kind of a squeaky wheel gets the grease sort of thing...
ReplyI didn't know about the "loner" issue - thanks for sharing.
Regular exercise really is the closest thing we have to a fountain of youth. Compared to older people who are sedentary, older folks who exercise regularly have functional abilities - such as being able to live independently - on par with someone 10 years younger.
Not smoking is the other biggie.
-Steve
ReplyAnd sunscreen...I worked in a derm office for four years and saw first-hand how important it is to protect yourself. I try and get the minimum 15 minutes of unprotected sun on my limbs everyday for vitamin D, but my face and the rest of time is always slathered in SPF!
ReplyA few months back I talked about the Okinawans on my blog. They tend to live well into their later years, and their longevity has interested scientists for years now.
Their lifestyle includes a plenty of fruit and veg, soy, healthy carbs, oily fish, physical activity, and a good attitude towards life.
In fact, they actually celebrate age - not like us in the Western world who cringe at the thought of admitting our ages!!
ReplySimple stuff & oh so true. Eat healthy. Exercise or just keep busy. Studies show fidgeters tend to have less weight probs. Smoking speaks for itself & don't kill me while you are making choices to hurt yourself. Socialize is good.. support system during trying times & good times. All easy to do! I like it!
Yum Yucky, you are too funny!
ReplyI try to do all of those things except eating the fish. I just don't like most types of fish, so I take a fish oil supplement every day to make up for it. I do like keeping active and I don't smoke, so I think I'm doing pretty good. I already notice that my same-aged friends that live hard (smoking, partying, and eating crappy food) look a lot older than they should. Meanwhile, even though I'm nearing closer and closer to 30, I get mistaken for a teenager a lot.
I would add to that list that eating a diet rich in antioxidants helps make you look youthful. Also, I think having pets helps keep you young. My grandma got two little Pomeranian puppies after my grandpa died and they really help her feel like she's got a reason to get up in the morning.
ReplyTo elaborate on one of the tips which is to stay active, study's show resistance exercise done 2-3 times a week can actually 'switch off' some of the genes associated with aging. Maybe strength training is part of the fountain of youth?
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