2008 Woodie Awards
10 Things That Age
Nancy Aguirre
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: Life & Times
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Though many of us are still too young to be worrying about aging - and the problems that come along with it - it might be a good idea to take a look at some of the things mentioned most often by anti-aging experts.
These include changes in your behavior that are relatively easy to adjust and they can help you maintain a young, healthy look and feel.
We have known for a long time now that excess stress lowers immunity and raises the risk of heart disease. There is now proof that too much stress triggers premature aging of the immune system. This was proven by Elissa S. Epel, PhD, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco, who has cell level proof of this fact. Mothers of terminally ill children who were most stressed showed the most extreme early aging of these cells.
Though there are some quick ways to manage your stress, such as breathing deeply, real stress control takes time and energy. The long term solution for stress in your life is to find time in your life for activities that reduce stress.
Intake of alcohol can either increase or reduce your stress levels, depending on the amount. Surprisingly, one or two drinks a day can actually lower the risk of dying from heart disease by a third or so. Women are advised to limit themselves to one drink a day, men to two. Any more than that raise the risks of ill health, including strokes and cancers of the liver, throat, and breast.
Inactivity is an increasing problem in people's lives. The smallest amount of activity can extend your life, lower your chance of becoming obese, lessen your chances of acquiring Alzheimer's disease, and lower your stress levels. You can and should start small, depending on your current fitness level, and work your way up to the recommended levels of exercise.
Another unhealthy-yet popular- habit is not getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and memory problems, even in young adults.
Believe it or not, 64 percent of Americans weigh in at more than their recommended weight. There are serious health risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. The key to losing unhealthy weight, and keeping the weight off, is to choose a healthy diet and stick with it.
In spite of all the information out there clearly outlining the dangers of smoking, more than one fifth of United States adults, or 46 million, still smoke, according to the Center for Disease Control.
All of these issues will eventually make a difference in how you age, and how long you live. It is never too soon to begin a healthier lifestyle, and the smallest improvement can make a huge difference.
These include changes in your behavior that are relatively easy to adjust and they can help you maintain a young, healthy look and feel.
We have known for a long time now that excess stress lowers immunity and raises the risk of heart disease. There is now proof that too much stress triggers premature aging of the immune system. This was proven by Elissa S. Epel, PhD, a professor of psychiatry at the University of California at San Francisco, who has cell level proof of this fact. Mothers of terminally ill children who were most stressed showed the most extreme early aging of these cells.
Though there are some quick ways to manage your stress, such as breathing deeply, real stress control takes time and energy. The long term solution for stress in your life is to find time in your life for activities that reduce stress.
Intake of alcohol can either increase or reduce your stress levels, depending on the amount. Surprisingly, one or two drinks a day can actually lower the risk of dying from heart disease by a third or so. Women are advised to limit themselves to one drink a day, men to two. Any more than that raise the risks of ill health, including strokes and cancers of the liver, throat, and breast.
Inactivity is an increasing problem in people's lives. The smallest amount of activity can extend your life, lower your chance of becoming obese, lessen your chances of acquiring Alzheimer's disease, and lower your stress levels. You can and should start small, depending on your current fitness level, and work your way up to the recommended levels of exercise.
Another unhealthy-yet popular- habit is not getting enough sleep. Sleep deprivation has been linked to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and memory problems, even in young adults.
Believe it or not, 64 percent of Americans weigh in at more than their recommended weight. There are serious health risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. The key to losing unhealthy weight, and keeping the weight off, is to choose a healthy diet and stick with it.
In spite of all the information out there clearly outlining the dangers of smoking, more than one fifth of United States adults, or 46 million, still smoke, according to the Center for Disease Control.
All of these issues will eventually make a difference in how you age, and how long you live. It is never too soon to begin a healthier lifestyle, and the smallest improvement can make a huge difference.