10 Tips for a More Youthful/Less Stressed You
(And the BEST PART: They are FREE!!)
In this era of Botox, fillers, plastic surgery, lifts, peels, etc., it’s pretty clear that our civilization is obsessed with youth. Case in point, did you know that Botox injections have increased 700% since 2000 - and it's not just celebrities who are trying to eliminate lines and wrinkles. These days, the average gal or guy who has a few extra dollars to spend is happy to part with their hard-earned cash in pursuit of the perfect, ageless face. Even though many procedures aren't permanent and, in some cases, can be expensive, they do offer a quick fix route to feeling and looking more youthful. But what if I told you that you can stop -- and even reverse -- the aging process without spending a dime or going through invasive procedures...it's true, and all it takes is some good stress management practices.
Aging 101
Let’s look at recent scientific research on aging:
Telomeres, an essential part of the human cell, affects how we age. Telomeres are the caps at the end of each cell, protecting our cells from damage. As we get older, the caps become frayed (like the plastic tips at the end of shoelaces) causing cell degeneration especially in the skin, hair and immune system. In the case of skin cells, skin appears aged and dull. Scientists have discovered that one of the big culprits that contributes to aging skin is STRESS, along with smoking, obesity and lack of exercise. Stress is also a factor in hair turning grey or white (just take a look at pictures of former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper or current U.S. President Barack Obama to see how their heads of hair drastically changed over the course of their undoubtedly stressful political tenures).
Good news - researchers are discovering ways to counteract the telltale signs of aging! According to a Nobel Prize winning study by Elizabeth Blackburn and colleagues, we can slow, stop or even reverse the degeneration of our cells through activities that stimulate an enzyme called telomerase. How do we stop degeneration and increase our telomerase enzyme? You guessed it...through reducing and managing our stress, of course!
Here's how you can slam the brakes on aging and start looking and feeling younger (and less stressed) NOW:
- Read positive things that people have said about you - read them out loud and with feeling!
- Meditate - it will help you relax your face and your mind.
- Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out deeply and mindfully.
- Purposefully listen to music you love - sing along to it.
- Create your own happy hour (alcohol-free preferably).
- Develop a thoughtful transition routine from work to home.
- Leave all of your work activities at the office, if possible.
- Call a close friend and ask them out for coffee/tea or dinner.
- Watch movies that make you laugh….out loud! Then watch them again!
- Move, stretch, take dancing lessons.
Until next time, don't forget to practice Safe Stress!
Wondering how stressed you are, or at all, take the Stress Test to find out.
I am a stress and resilience expert who is passionate about teaching Safe Stress to individuals and organizations craving more productivity, creativity and humour in the workplace. Contact me to book a transformational workshop or keynote today!