Essentially, you can to a good degree will yourself healthier. Think yourself timeless. Scientific research to date asserts that the secret to a long life may be linked to your personality. Are you living in chronic stress or do you let perceived insults slide off as though you massaged olive oil on your body?
A study (May 2012) in the Journal Aging analyzes people who lived 100 years or more in relatively good health. The common denominator for all the participants is a positive outlook, an authentic cheerful demeanor. Nir Barzilai of Albert Einstein Medical College while focusing on the genetic reason for longevity, interestingly enough became aware that hopeful feelings and resilient thoughts contribute too. In fact, past scientific research has claimed that chronic stress shortens DNA telomeres and shorter telomeres are a concrete marker for accelerated aging.
Dr. Albert Levy, MD, a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York explained to me during a radio interview that throughout the years he has observed that his healthiest patients have the happiest demeanors. Happiness and optimism boost the immune system to function at peak performance. Perhaps, happy people take better care of themselves too.
6 Steps To extend your life journey and make it joyous. Now, step on it!
- Practice reinterpreting the negative into the positive. Tell yourself a better story as your life depends on it. However, if you are still angry, put all that churning energy into a positive purpose. Get passionate with righteous indignation to effect a change for the better.
- Make the unconscious conscious as Freud said. Stress is based on individual perception. Become aware of your stressors. Don’t suppress them; give them a voice and let them go. The New England Journal of Medicine reports that 80% of patients’ symptoms presented to their family care practitioners are stress-related.
- Listen to your body to figure out what your mind is trying to tell you. Physical symptoms of stress can potentially unlock a mindset: Back pain- who is not supporting you? Stiff neck – feeling stubborn and unyielding? Stomach pain – a bruised ego? Acne – an angry eruption? Head ache - Overanalyzing? Knee pain – Afraid to move forward? Laryngitis – lost your voice?
- You are what you eat to the extent that food and mood correlate highly – eat quality foods. Also, stop having a food fight. Remember to savor your food and really taste it.
- You are what you absorb. Bad moods are contagious. Move away or at least put up an emotional barrier like an invisible wall when you are near toxic people. Read and watch uplifting stories.
- Move your body and the mind will follow. Create movement that matters, so that you mind your muscle. Have a positive intention for your exercise regimen and reap the emotional rewards.
For more information on managing your stress and reclaiming your life read my book, Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life. To listen to archived radio shows with guest experts visit Turn On Your Inner Light Radio Show
