How would you like to grow old? Painless, mobile and healthy? Or moving like a broken down old junker? Tough choice, right?
Despite all the stress-related illness in the world it IS still posible to age with grace. Is there some magical secret? Probably not. Sorry. But there ARE habits and practices that will help the aging process.
Read up on these lifestyle habits that show your future self some love in this article!
Behold THESE Powerful Tricks!
Being human is weird and wonderful, we don't give ourselves enough credit! Here are some surprising ways sciences says we can directly influence your health:
Thinking yourself full:
Studies show that when people believe a milkshake is high in calories and fat, their hunger hormone (ghrelin) drops significantly more than when they think they’re eating something lighter—even if the calories are the same. This mental cue triggers the 'satiety signal', helping you eat less while still feeling full. How to make use of it? Simple. Slow. Down. When. You. EAT!
You can reshape the brain through meditation:
Mindfulness gets treated like a fad or trend, but it has the capacity to improve our lives. Research has found that after just a couple of months of daily mindful meditation, the hippocampus—the part of the brain that deals with memory and learning—actually gets thicker. At the same time, the amygdala, which governs fear and stress responses, thins out. In other words, people who meditate regularly are LESS capable of feeling stressed! Even just 20 minutes a day makes a change, so feel free to add 20 minutes of stillness to your morning routine.
You can raise my body temperature:
NOT CLICKBAIT! There's a wild video of Tibetan monks practicing what they call 'tummo'- a breathing technique used to help them stay warm in the extreme cold . While this may sound supernatural, similar breathing techniques get taught here in the west. Have you ever noticed how professional deadlifters 'huff and puff' as they approach the bar? We instinctively know that the way we breathe can affect our state- not just our body temperature, but the way we feel on an emotional level. Breathwork can cut heart rate, lower blood pressure and flush cortisol- the stress hormone- from the body. So find a style you like the sound of and give it a go!
You can add years to your life!
Your mindset can affect your lifespan. This isn't cliche life coaching soundbites, it's Yale university talking. They found that people thinking positively about aging with a strong sense of purpose live, almost seven years longer. That’s a striking reminder that how you think could determine how well you grow older. Like it or not, we all gotta die some day. The only control we have over death is our approach to it. So don't dread gray hairs- see them as another phase in life!
Think Twice Before You...
Choose diet fizzy drinks
That low-calorie soda may not be doing you any favors. One study from Texas found that daily diet soda drinkers gained 3.2 inches over nine years on their waistlines—compared to non-drinkers, who only gained 0.8 inches. The ironic thing is, 'diet' fizzy drinks of the 'zero sugar' kind use chemical sweeteners that the body confuses with sugar! And even if it doesn't affect you like that, the carbonated fizz can easily give you a bad case of mega bloating. As hard as it is, choose water. If you MUST, add a quart of lemon juice.
Look down at your phone
Next time you’re ****scrolling, think about this: when you tilt your head forward at a 60-degree angle, it places the equivalent of four bowling balls’ worth of pressure on your spine. The average person does this for a minimum of 40 minutes a DAY! Imagine how that affects the spine over time. There are creepy computer models projecting how human beings are expected to adapt to mobile phones in a few hundred years, and spoiler- we look creepy. Minimize mobile time, it really is for your health.
Grab a jumper the moment you feel cold
Mild cold may actually be good for you- especially the nervous system. Research shows that shivering triggers hormones that convert white fat (the kind that stores energy) into brown fat (which burns calories). If you want to take advantage of this, and you're feeling brave- start the day with a cold shower!
Skip flexibility exercises
Cardio and strength training are crucial, but don’t overlook flexibility. Ligaments and tendons become stiffer and more brittle as we age, particularly if we don't use them. Stretching is something subtle- you don't realise how much you need to do it until all of a sudden you drop something you have to squat to pick up! Take 10 minutes after each workout for simple cooldown- or pickup yoga or pilates once a week if you want to really do yourself a favor.
“Forget” to tell your doctor about memory lapses
Many people over 45 get bouts of forgetfulness. They think nothing of it and definitely don't mention it to a doctor. But even minor lapses, or increasing 'empty-mindedness'- can signal something deeper—like a reaction to medication, hormonal imbalances, vitamin deficiencies (B12 is a BIG one), or early signs of cognitive decline. Alzheimers rates are going through the roof in the modern world, and you can never take your brain TOO seriously. Have the conversation- your future self will be grateful.
If we Could Only Explain...
Why healthy people still get cancer
Even if you follow all the rules—eat your veggies, wear sunscreen, never smoke—you can still get cancer. Sad truth is that two-thirds of cancer risk is down to random genetic mutations. In other words...luck of the draw! Thankfully, lifestyle still significantly affects the remaining third. Healthy habits are far from pointless.
How placebos actually work
Placebos are basically fake remedies or pills —they've been shown to trigger real responses in people- reduced pain, improved mood, and even better mobility! Scientists believe the power lies in the brain’s expectation of healing, which releases feel-good neurotransmitters and kickstarts those internal repair processes. Just one more proof of the power of the mind!
How your gut affects your mood
Your gut isn’t just for digesting food—it plays a bigger role in our lives than you think. The trillions of bacteria in your stomach influences everything from inflammation to serotonin production. Imbalances in gut bacteria have been linked to anxiety and depression. Science is starting to show the gut-brain connection plays a KEY role in our overall well-being- to the point where the stomach is called by some gasto-enterologists as 'the second brain'!
These Food Tricks Make You Healthier
How you prepare and pair your food can make a real difference:
Mix your yogurt
That watery layer on top of your yogurt? Don’t toss it—it’s whey, and it contains protein, calcium, and probiotics. Stir it back in to maximize your health benefits.
Slice your own pineapple
Fresh-cut fruit loses a chunk of its nutrients—especially vitamin C and carotenoids—after just a few days in the fridge. Cut it fresh to keep the benefits!
Bake your potatoes
Baking keeps more nutrients intact. Boiling and peeling potatoes strips away up to two-thirds of their vitamin C and all the fiber-rich skin.
Let garlic rest before cooking
After chopping garlic, wait 10 to 15 minutes before cooking it. This gives enzymes time to activate cancer-fighting compounds. Cooking too soon stops this beneficial reaction in its tracks.
Squeeze lemon over spinach
Spinach is rich in plant-based iron, but it needs a vitamin C partner to be properly absorbed. Add lemon juice to unlock its full potential.
Sex, meditation, stretching, laughter, purpose- it's all part of the picture of health, and it comes down to the daily habits. Don't get neurotic, or fixated on doing things 'perfectly'. Enjoy each day as it comes, and take care of your body- it will take care of you.
