Can we outsmart aging? Learn the 9 Secrets to Youthfulness.
Getting old is a part of life some would say, but it’s certainly not enjoyable for most. But to “outsmart” aging?
Looking in the mirror we see new lines and grey hairs sprouting forth, unwelcome signs of our hard work and wisdom.
More important is how we feel on the inside, with aging often comes sore aching muscles and joints, experiences we never had in our youth.
Tiredness which is unquenchable and a thirst for more time…there is never enough time.
But do you ever meet people who seem to pervade aging, they remain vibrant and energized well into their years.
Guess what? You can do that too!
there’s nothing stopping you except from rousing back to life that youthful energy that in truth, never really went away.
Consider that the elixir of youth is an attitude, not a fountain located in far off lands.
Genetics may just be an excuse.
Don’t you think,
what you really need is the know how to keep yourself healthy and energized for a lifetime?
1. Have fun
Remember when you were a child, how carefree and easy life was. Serious was something associated only to adults, usually older grandparents.
Burdens build up over time and whether we like it or not most of us have plenty of responsibilities. But what would happen if we could reconnect with the child we used to be?
What would your eight year old self think of you now?
Do what you love, laugh and rejoice just because. If your having troube rekindling your inner child, why not call up you niece or grandchild or offer to hang out with the neighbours kid. Watch their example and learn from them how to just have fun and forget about your worries.
2. Let your creativity flow
“The creative adult is the child who survived.” – U. Leguin
Do you have a favorite creative endeavor or a dream project that you’ve kept putting off? Most of us do, we think of our creative realms as a last priority.
Harnessing your creative energy can help you to think outside of the box in your business. If your feeling stuck and stagnant in your business, odds are you need to focus more on growing your creative muscle.
Whatever activity it may be, and there are many, find a creative outlet and just let it flow.
Dancing, cooking, painting, building sand castles, none of these things require an excess of logic.
You do enough hard thinking and number crunching in your business. Youthfulness comes out when we find the creative channel and freely express ourselves in that way, and its super fun!
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3. Protect your cells
Heard of antioxidants? They’re the kind protectors of our cells, rich in berries and dark chocolate. Antioxidants are natures anti-aging foods, they help to neutralize harmful free radicals in our bodies.
Aging and inflammation go hand in hand and occur when free radicals get out of control and there aren’t enough antioxidants to nullify them.
In order to ensure your getting enough antioxidants simply stick to a nutrient dense diet, high in dark leafy greens and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables.
Ok, you can have a glass of red wine too, since it’s a fantastic source of anti-aging antioxidants and it might help you to get creative!
4. Keep moving
Here’s a little secret, you’re not tired and sore because you move too much, you’re tired and sore because you aren’t moving enough.
Quite the conundrum but think about it, when you exercise only once in awhile of course your going to feel sore and out of shape. But if you stay consistent, you’ll actually end up with less inflammation and way more energy.
Movement is essential to our capacity to thrive and rejuvenate. Our bodies weren’t designed to be sedentary.
Engaging in physical activities that you love can also be a great social bonding tool. Plus, exercise is really like a meditation that gets us out of our heads and into the present, a youthful trait indeed.
5. Take care of you first
Putting ourselves last is the most common trait for any nurturer. As entrepreneurs we are usually on a journey to help others, this can become overwhelming.
Your needs are just as important as anyone else. If you give all your energy away then what’s left for you?
Take the time each day to do a little self awareness practice. Ask yourself, what are my needs and are they being met? Then go ahead and do what you need to do to meet them.
6. Practice whole hearted acceptance
I’m not promising by following the advice put forth that your not going to age. To a certain extent we can drastically reduce negative associations with ageing, but it’s still going to happen.
The fine lines, the cellulite, an earlier bed time- whatever! Would you really want to be your teenage self forever? Or that naive twenty something who thought she had it all figured out.
Consider that your wrinkles are proof that you’ve lived, learned and loved. There’s nothing to be ashamed of in that. All we can do is take good care of ourselves so that these vessels remain in top shape for as long as possible. Anything more than that is unrealistic.
Accept yourself for who you have become, I can assure you, you’re your own worst critic.
7. Preserve your telomeres
Telomeres, they have nothing to do with telephones. Telomeres are the end cap of your chromosomes, over time they get shorter, a hypothesis for why people age.
Research into preservation of our telomeres is expanding and scientists are beginning to understand more about why we age.
Antioxidants are a big part of the picture, as is exercise and an overall healthy lifestyle.
Certain drugs have even been developed which claim to help you defy ageing almost completely. Of course, they don’t come cheap.
The most natural ways we can preserve our telomeres is to eat right, exercise and reduce stress as much as possible. Though who knows, the next miracle substance to preserve telomeres could be right around the corner.
8. Think happy thoughts
You are your thoughts. Science shows that thinking happy loving thoughts leads to a higher quality of life. Doesn’t this ring true from experience?
We’ve all been in those low places when you just can’t seem to get your mind out of the gutter.
That little judge that lives in our heads keeps saying how worthless we are and how we ought to just give up. It’s not really fair to ourselves to let this guy have center stage, he’s the ego plain and simple.
Look at the life you’ve lived and be grateful for every experience, for it has brought you here. Try to catch yourself when you get into a negative thought pattern.
Over time you can re-program your consciousness and positive thinking can be your new state of mind.
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9. De-Stress
Oh stress, I’m sure you saw this one coming. Stress is the number one cause of ageing and all its negative characteristics. We need to gain control over our stresses and worries before all else.
Breathing practices, meditations, stretching, hot baths and fiction novels are just a few ideas to help us relieve the invisible pressure we’re under from day to day.
It’s not easy, but you’re not alone, everyone experiences stress, especially around money.
Make a strategy for how you can deal with the biggest source of stress for you in the long term. Don’t give up.
Stay tuned, the next article is going to be a detailed plan for how you can kick stress out of your life.
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What are your favorite ways to outsmart aging?
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