The Best 3 Tips To Fight The Aging Effects Of Stress and Anxiety In A Lockdown
One of the things that is most guaranteed in life is that we are going to get older, and stress accelerates that process exponentially.
In reality, the rate at which our mind and body decline is going to be determined by a combination of our daily choice of lifestyle that will determine the quality and longevity of our lives.
Genetics can play a part in how old you might look and feel - however what is just as important, we control what is going on in our mind and body through making good healthy choices.
Here, we hope to start putting you on the path to making better choices for your mind, body and provide you with tools to minimize the effects of stress and anxiety in a pandemic.
So What Are Sources And Effects Of Stress?
There are numerous sources of stress, but according to recent research by the American Psychological Association:
Percent of people who regularly experience physical symptoms caused by stress: 77 %
Regularly experience psychological symptoms caused by stress: 73 %
Feel they are living with extreme stress: 33 %
Feel their stress has increased over the past five years: 48 %
Cited money and work as the leading cause of their stress: 76 %
Reported lying awake at night due to stress: 48 %
Symptoms of chronic stress include:
irritability
anxiety
depression
headaches
insomnia
Whilst I cannot claim to have all the expertise needed to provide you with an in-depth study into this area, but I can say with certainty that I have gone through extremely stressful times with my family. Despite that, I have emerged with my health and sanity improved, I can certainly show you how to change your mind set in terms of health and your future.
Stress Will Age You! Here Are 3 Quick Tips To Age Slowly
Stress is one of the major killers, it destroys your immune system, which is your body's number one line of defense. It can also give you a negative mindset, which is very detrimental, because eventually you become what you think.
I know it can be hard sometimes, however you still have the choice whether or not you are going to stress over a situation.
Stress can adversely affect your immune system, your respiratory system as well as your cardiovascular system and long-term stress can contribute greatly to heart problems as well as problems with your blood vessels. Stress has also been linked to increased inflammation and inflammation in the body is what eventually causes a lot of the chronic diseases that people experience.
A recent study from Rice University has shown that loneliness and stress can make you more prone to contracting COVID-19. This is because it ruins your sleep patterns and increases the unhealthy cortisol levels in the body which leads to chronic inflammation.
Stress has been linked to issues with both the male and female reproductive systems.
So be smart and take urgent steps to de-stress. But how can you do this?
if you are at home, and furloughed, try and keep a routine: schedule in time to exercise and relax with loved ones
write down the things that worry you – do this first thing in the morning, and vow not to keep going over them, especially at night
talk – just because you cannot visit friends and family, you can use video chat to stay connected and reduce those feelings of isolation, or you can chat with complete strangers and make new friendships using apps like Omegle.
So as you can see, to de-stress is a very smart choice in terms of living a healthier, high quality lifestyle and also living a longer life.
1. Be Positive
One of the major battles any person can face, are those that take place in the mind:
"If you can defeat the enemy within the enemy without can do you no harm" ~ Les Brown
If you are feeling totally overwhelmed, then it might be time to seek professional help. There are easy and simple ways to find the support that you need, via the internet or even over the phone therapy. You can therefore avoid the stress of traveling to a therapist’s office during a lockdown, and get all the benefits in the comfort and privacy of your own living room. In that way you will feel less isolated, and probably more inclined to speak more openly about your feelings, because you are in a familiar and safe environment.
If you take on those negative feelings, you will feel that you have accomplished something that will help take you forward, and get better peace of mind.
2. Get Some Sleep
In a 2010 study published in the British Medical Journal, a group of Swedish investigators looked at whether sleep-deprived people were perceived as less healthy, less attractive and more tired than after a normal night’s sleep. Twenty-three healthy adults were photographed after a normal night’s sleep (about eight hours) and again after a night of sleep deprivation (31 hours of wakefulness!). The photos were presented to 65 untrained observers who rated them. Results indicated that sleep-deprived people appear less healthy, less attractive and more tired when compared to photographs taken after a full night’s sleep.
So you imagine treating your body like this over a long period of time, the impact that it would have on your overall appearance. Skin grows a lot in our sleep, we develop nearly 30 times more skin while asleep than when awake. Notice those dark circles and bags under your eyes after a poor night’s sleep? The skin of a healthy sleeper is more elastic, supple and taut. The more you get a full night’s sleep, the more you’ll have that youthful glow. So from a pure vanity point of view, to keep your youthful looks, the proper amount of rest is extremely important.
3. Exercise
Without a doubt this is one of the most important elements to stay fit and healthy, living longer and looking younger. Our bodies need physical exercise, and in this era of lockdowns you have limited time and opportunity to be active. Do not give up on exercise just because you cannot get to the gym – there are a ton of online programs and social media streaming exercise programs that you can do alone or even with your children.
People should prepare to fight coronavirus like they would prepare for surgery by staying fit and healthy, say Experts at the Centre for Perioperative Care (CPOC).
You owe it to yourself and your family to be a good example, and take care of your health. Regular vigorous exercise actually reduces the risk of contracting the coronavirus. No excuses!
Staying mentally and physically fit and healthy takes practice, and is achieved by regular and consistent effort and application of routines. Whilst it might be easy to master this overnight, by repetition and positivity you will be able to enjoy your best life and vitality as your family grows up.
Become the fittest and youngest looking granny that you can! Please share your best anti-aging tips in the comments below.