Anti Aging Stress Relief – More Important Than You Think
March 9, 2010 by GiGi
Welcome back!
In regards to anti aging, researchers, doctors and scientists disagree about many things – but one thing they DO agree on – stress (mental, emotional and physical) causes aging. If we can figure out how to reduce the stress in our lives, then we have a shot at living longer, healthier lives.
And what has been shown to be one of the most successful practices for anti aging stress relief? Meditation! Yes, the simple practice of just sitting quietly for 15-20 minutes a day, concentrating on our breath and nothing else has done more for anti aging than any of the creams, supplements and “miracle” cures combined.
Studies done in 1982 showed that people with an average age of 50 who had been practicing Transcendental Meditation for 5 years had a biological age around 12 years younger than others the same age. More studies have been done since then that also back up the anti aging benefits of meditation.
Some of the benefits of meditation include:
- Lower blood pressure
- Strengthens the immune system
- Promotes faster healing
- Sharpens the mental facilities
- Decrease anxiety
How Does It Work?
Aging is actually your body reacting to stress. Our cells, under stress, may stop regenerating as quickly, and become more prone to disease and early cell death.
Meditation works on 3 important hormones that affect stress:
Cortisol – commonly called the “stress” hormone. Our body produces this hormone when we are stressed. High levels of cortisol are associated with anxiety and metabolic syndrome.
DHEA – also known as the “youth” hormone acts like a buffer against Cortisol, so you want high levels of DHEA in your system.
Melatonin – mostly known to aid in sleep is also an important antioxidant and helps to keep us calm. We typically produce less melatonin as we age.
Dr. Vincent Giampapa, M.D., head of Longevity Institute International and Past-President of the American Board of Anti-Aging Medicine, plays a prominent role in some of the latest scientific research into aging. His study, using specific audio technology designed for deep meditation, revealed:
* Cortisol decreased by an average of 46.47%, with positive changes in 68% of the people
* Over 68% had increases in DHEA levels, with an average increase of 43.77%
* Melatonin levels increased an average of 97.77%, with positive changes happening in over 73% of the people
Regular meditation can benefit you in many ways, but more importantly, it activates the body’s natural anti aging capabilities.
There are many ways to meditate from simply sitting quietly and focusing on your breathing to more advanced technologies using audio sounds (as in Dr. Giampapa’s study). I’ve tried several types of programs and one that I like that is fairly low cost is Neuro Programmer II by Transparent Corporation. But they also have a simple CD designed to aid you in achieving the altered state needed for meditation.
Audio CDs by Transparent Corp.
Sources – More Magazine, Natural News
Disclaimer: Some of the links mentioned within this post or posts it may lead to are my affiliate links and in such case I will get compensated for recommending those products.
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I use one of these audio meditation tapes every day. They are the best!!! And effortless. Don\’t bother with traditional types of meditation – use technology instead.
Stan´s last blog ..Mar 16, Garlic Lowers My Blood Pressure
I forgot to mention to use “binaural beat” types of meditation programs. Some others don’t work as well.
Stan´s last blog ..Mar 16, Garlic Lowers My Blood Pressure
Actually it’s been shown that Isochronic Tones are more effective than Binaural Beats, although Binaural Beats do work – they just take longer. Here’s some information about it:
History of Brainwave Entrainment
I totally agree about meditation being really important for stress relief and therefore longevity. However, and I have been motivated to try, I have found that getting fully into a meditative state is really hard to begin with.
I have used both binaural beats and isochronic tones and I find the binaural beats easier on me. I find the isochronic tones make me feel a little flustered – perhaps that is why you say they work faster.
I guess everyone is different so it doesn’t hurt to try different things.
Hope Wynns´s last blog ..8 Habits To Increase Brain Power Naturally
Meditation and Yoga are the good ways to remain healthy. I recently read somewhere that eating a chocolate helps to reduce stress. Researchers have done a survey on 1000 people who often have to face a stress situation either at office or business and 80% of the these claims to have reduced stress after eating chocolate daily for a week. May be we can also try to do that.
Well, now I feel better about having my one small square of Trader Joe’s super dark chocolate every night. It’s only 45 calories and my moment of bliss…