Youth is in Your Outlook and Actions

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The evidence that suggests this culture’s obsession with looking young is abundant: botox, collagen injections, hair plugs, hair dye, face lifts, anti-aging creams, under eye treatments, washes and moisturizers, all created to help people look younger. And yet, often those who look the most youthful are those who don’t spend a dime on fancy methods of camouflage or improvement. They are beautiful from within because they enjoy life and celebrate it to the fullest. A youthful and positive attitude can add years to your expected age and subtract years from your face and skin. The odds of living longer go up for people who tend not to dwell on the downside of aging and concentrate instead on a high quality of life while they’re living it.
There is some actual scientific proof that an upbeat outlook and a zest for life can create beneficial health effects. A deep, full, whole hearted laugh can boost your body’s immune system, which in turn can increase your ability to fight off diseases. Laugh often, and you give your immunity frequent jump starts to keep it running smoothly. Intimate contact with loved ones has been shown to reduce stress and lower anxiety as well, so people who are part of loving, fulfilling relationships with friends, family, and significant others often show lower emotional stress levels than those who are in unhealthy relationships. Think about how calming and comforting a hug from your mother or partner is, and imagine that calm extending throughout your body, possibly helping to reduce blood pressure or even depression.
In addition to laughing and maintaining quality relationships, your daily choices can affect your youthfulness. Nutrition is important. Just as a positive outlook keeps your brain young, proper nutrients keep your body fueled and prepared for all its challenges. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and limited sugar and fat are smart choices for food to keep your vitality. Meditation lowers stress and has been linked to the reversal of age markers, and enough sleep—seven to eight hours a day—is also important to longevity and youthfulness.

The evidence that suggests this culture’s obsession with looking young is abundant: botox, collagen injections, hair plugs, hair dye, face lifts, anti-aging creams, under eye treatments, washes and moisturizers, all created to help people look younger. And yet, often those who look the most youthful are those who don’t spend a dime on fancy methods of camouflage or improvement. They are beautiful from within because they enjoy life and celebrate it to the fullest. A youthful and positive attitude can add years to your expected age and subtract years from your face and skin. The odds of living longer go up for people who tend not to dwell on the downside of aging and concentrate instead on a high quality of life while they’re living it.
There is some actual scientific proof that an upbeat outlook and a zest for life can create beneficial health effects. A deep, full, whole hearted laugh can boost your body’s immune system, which in turn can increase your ability to fight off diseases. Laugh often, and you give your immunity frequent jump starts to keep it running smoothly. Intimate contact with loved ones has been shown to reduce stress and lower anxiety as well, so people who are part of loving, fulfilling relationships with friends, family, and significant others often show lower emotional stress levels than those who are in unhealthy relationships. Think about how calming and comforting a hug from your mother or partner is, and imagine that calm extending throughout your body, possibly helping to reduce blood pressure or even depression.
In addition to laughing and maintaining quality relationships, your daily choices can affect your youthfulness. Nutrition is important. Just as a positive outlook keeps your brain young, proper nutrients keep your body fueled and prepared for all its challenges. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and limited sugar and fat are smart choices for food to keep your vitality. Meditation lowers stress and has been linked to the reversal of age markers, and enough sleep—seven to eight hours a day—is also important to longevity and youthfulness.

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Stretching Should Be Part of Your Workout

Exercise time at Karate Dojo
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Exercise, exercise, exercise. Over and over, studies, doctors, researchers, and health advocates of all types around the globe express the importance of getting enough exercise on a regular basis. Not only does moving your body keep your muscles fit and trim and functioning at top levels, but it also boosts your endorphins, or “feel good” chemicals that help you feel better immediately and also have longer lasting effects such as reducing stress and improving brain and memory processes. So the bottom line for all experts is, yes, you need to exercise. But while touting the many benefits of exercise, the necessity
of properly warming up and cooling down after a workout can be overlooked.

Pre-workout warm ups and post-workout cool downs are essential to gaining the most from your exercises, especially if you are returning to exercise after a hiatus or are just getting started. Your body probably spends a lot of time sitting and/or standing which is often unavoidable, but can create a decrease in flexibility with possible joint stiffness or discomfort. Exercise can help ease these pains, but first you must adequately prepare your muscles for the work by stretching.

There are a few keys to correctly stretching. First, it should never hurt. You want to move gently into your stretches until you feel a significant pull. Then hold your position and breathe. Second, stretching should be smooth and controlled, not jerky or bouncing. Try to hold the pose for at least thirty seconds or if you can, a full minute. If the muscle you are stretching seems to tighten as you hold, it’s possible you’re pulling too hard. The idea is to feel a loosening sensation as you stretch.

With frequent stretches as part of a pre and post exercise routine, your muscles will relax and lengthen, and you’ll reap even greater rewards from your workouts.

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Love Your Exercise and You’ll Do it More

It’s all over TV and the news, and countless studies show that exercise has physical, emotional, and mental benefits. In other words, it’s really good for you! People who incorporate a regular workout routine into their lives tend to feel better and live longer. That’s not anything most people would argue with. In fact, most people would agree. The problem seems to be in sticking to an exercise regime. Treadmills get boring, few people enjoy lifting weights, and going to the gym requires a dedicated amount of time and at least a little bit of planning. So what to do when you know you ought to exercise but hate all the same old workouts? Find something you love.

Research seem to suggest that those people who receive their daily movement in the form of an activity they truly enjoy tend to continue to do that activity for longer than those who work out due to a feeling of obligation. Gardening is a good example of an activity that burns calories, builds muscle, and gets you outside into the fresh air. If being outdoors and working with plants and earth makes you feel good, consider making it a daily routine. Pulling weeds, digging holes, and tilling soil are all excellent ways to work muscle groups you can’t get to with a machine, take care of your yard or garden, and improve your stamina. A bonus to working in the garden? When your muscles are sore from all that old-fashioned exercise, you’ll have a lovely herbal remedy of freshly picked lavender or roses or whatever sweet smelling plants grow in your space as a reward.

Exercise can lower your stress, make you sleep more soundly, decrease depression or anxiety, and up your energy levels. But it can’t do any of that if you don’t do it! Finding an exercise that’s enjoyable to you is the key to successfully continuing a routine.Try to think of a hobby or pastime you love that could be a workout with or without a little tweaking.

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