Live longer
- By:Nymph Kellerman
Some of the principal experts in the field of aging now
consider regular exercise along with the appropriate amount of
rest to actually add years to your life. Results from a
number of tests indicate that speed and muscular strength of
many of the elderly can be extended.
Authorities agree that this new data is going to shatter
many of the myths about aging and physical performance. They
conclude that the functioning and capability of the elderly
has long been underestimated, and that diet, proper sleep and exercise
along with rest and relaxation are all important factors in
preserving our bodies.
Laughter is one of the greatest things for your mental and physical
state. People are naturally attracted to somebody who has a good
sense of humor. You can develop a good outlook and a good sense
of humor by associating with and surrounding yourself with pleasant
happy people.
Recognize that stress is a killer. A life filled with stress can
in fact cause havoc on your body by bringing on a number of illnesses such
as heart attacks, strokes, asthma, gastric problems, menstrual
disorders, ulcerative colitis, angina, irritable colon, increased
blood pressure, ulcers, headaches, etc.
There are different types of stress such as mental, emotional
and physical. Emotional stress seems to take the greatest toll
on everyone. All stress is not bad; in fact, life would not be
very interesting if it were not met with challenges. However, too
much stress, too often with no effective and appropriate outlet,
does not allow the body and soul to recuperate. You might review
a typical week to see if you can identify things that might be
making you anxious or causing you stress. Once identified,
stressors can be attacked and eliminated.
Are you a worrier? Chronic worriers don't have more serious
problems than others - they just think they do. Many worriers try
to cope by trying not to think about their problems, but this just
makes things worse. Doctors say that chronic worriers feel less
anxious if they actually spend a half-hour per day thinking
specifically about their problems.
Get plenty of exercise. People who are physically fit look good
and feel good. A good exercise regimen will lengthen your life.
Improve your appearance, build self-confidence and help delay the
aging process.
Remember that you need to do something physical every day. If you
don't use your joints, quite simply they'll tighten up with age to
create the stooped, bent and worn out appearance we so often
associate with old age. Studies have shown that people with
arthritis experience less pain if they continue to keep their joints
flexible. As one gets older, the bones tend to get brittle which is
why it is common for senior citizens to break bones and especially
their hips when they fall.
Eating right, getting proper sleep and learning to relax are all
very valuable in maintaining a healthy body and mind. And keep in
mind that eating healthy foods and avoiding those high in fats,
sodium and cholesterol will help to decrease your risk of heart
disease, high blood pressure and associated problems.
The next, simple breathing exercise can be done daily to promote physical, emotional and spiritual health. It relaxes the muscles deeply, lowers the electrical activity of the brain and in doing so, cures and prevents many diseases and discomforts:
Sit in an upright chair with the spine straight and the eyes closed, feet flat on the floor a few inches apart. Keep your hands relaxed and in a comfortable position in your lap. Take a long, slow, deep breath and hold for a count of three. Exhale and feel how the body relaxes. Repeat three times. After the three deep breaths in which you breathe in slowly, hold for a count of three, exhale and relax, you keep on breathing slowly while you remain in the straight-spine position. Now become aware of how your breathing consciously slows down, relaxing the body more and more as it goes deeper and deeper into a state of deep relaxation. Concentrate only on your breath, breathing deeply until you feel a stillness you have never experienced before. Be at peace with yourself and the world. Breathe deeply for approximately 20 minutes while you think only of your breath and your breathing. And when your mind wanders, which it will, just bring it back to your breathing.
Nymph completed her L.T.C.L. in music and drama, and obtained a B.A. Psychology and Philosophy a few years later. She trained as formal singer under various renowned vocal advisers and performed in numerous concerts, recitals, and oratorios. After a car accident that lead to a few neuro surgeries, she began investigating the benefits of deep relaxation and wrote a few books and numerous articles on the subject.