It’s widely known that stress can speed up the aging process – people who work in positions that cause a lot of stress seem to age at a faster rate than the rest of the population.
What isn’t widely known is the science behind the phenomenon - and what we can do to increase our longevity. Here I'll share what I've learned about the connection between meditation and longevity.
Chronic stress speeds up our biological clock by increasing oxidative stress (an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants), which actively shortens the length of telomeres, an important enzyme in our system. Telomeres are a protective layer over chromosomes that degrades over time. When they fray and shorten to expose the chromosome underneath, it results in cell breakdown, which in turn expresses itself as wrinkles, gray hair, and a lowered immune system. Oxidative stress itself has not only been scientifically linked to an increase in the speed of physical aging, but also to causing diseases such as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and cancer.
However, practicing meditation increases the length of telomeres by producing antioxidants that counteract the aging process.
There are four main antioxidants that practicing meditation can increase in your system:
1. Gluthathione (GSH), which hinders oxidative stress, helps fight cancer, and boosts your immune system.
2. Resveratrol, which improves memory, slows cancer, lowers cholesterol, and prevents brain deterioration diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
3. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), which reverses age related brain cell death, stimulates fresh neurons and synapses, fortifies and repairs the already existing neural pathways, and helps prevent the development of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
4. Nitric Oxide, which controls high blood pressure, kills bacteria, slows cancer, and improves cardiac health.
Overall, the benefits of keeping a regular meditation practice does wonders not only for the actual symptoms of aging, but for the diseases and chronic illnesses that can accompany it.
Personally, I really care about aging well and living a long, healthy life, and I’m determined to do whatever I can to make this my reality. Part of my motivation is from seeing and experiencing the negative consequences from not prioritizing our health and creating healthy habits.
A prime example in my life of someone who takes care of herself, is mindful about cultivating healthy habits, and engages in life to the fullest, is my mother-in-law, who is in her late eighties but could easily be mistaken for someone in her seventies. Besides exercising regularly, eating healthily and maintaining a fulfilling social life, she’s also had a regular meditation practice for the last few decades.
My mother, on the other hand, didn’t really prioritize healthy habits and well-being practices, had various health problems and died unexpectedly at the age of 80. As you can imagine, I miss her terribly and wish she was still with us to make new memories with. Experiencing the devastation of her sudden loss along with my brothers and sisters has further fueled my desire and determination to be as healthy as I can be, for as long as I can be. This is especially important to me because I have two daughters who I want to be there for as long as possible.
My truest desire is to live a long, healthy, productive life, being of service and helping others to create positive change in their lives. If you'd like support cultivating a mindfulness practice schedule a complimentary consultation.
As always, I’m here to help,
Lourdes
@lourdes_laifer
Commenti