ANTI-AGEING NEWS

February 2012

Mind Management

Most of us go through each day without giving much thought to how our thoughts influence our mood, behaviour, physical health and our lives in general. The significant power of our minds is undeniable and has been found to also influence how well we age.

In 1979 Dr Ellen Langer, Professor of Psychology at Harvard University conducted an experiment on a group of elderly men who were living (or more accurately, dying) in a nursing home. These men were fragile and unwell and almost entirely dependant on others. Dr Langer separated the men in to two groups. One was placed in an environment that was exactly as they would have been living in in 1959 when they were in their 60's.
The furniture, newspapers and radio were from 1959 and the men were forced to live independently (cook, clean, take care of personal hygiene etc). The other group of men was the control group, who continued to live in their usual conditions in the nursing home.
Before commencing the experiment, both groups of men had photos taken and general medical tests performed. At the end of the study, the experimental group were rated as looking younger, they subjectively felt younger and their medical test results (e.g. blood pressure, vision, hearing, memory, cholesterol and sugar levels) all improved. They walked faster, stood taller and were stronger.

Learning to manage your thoughts, or Mind Management, is the key to making positive lifestyle changes that will benefit your health and improve how you age. If you believe you can't, then you can't or won't. There are several methods that help re-train your thoughts and replace them with more positive ones that will help you achieve your goals. Below are links to methods that are recommended by psychologists.

www.cognitivebehaviourtherapy.com.au
www.actmindfully.com.au
www.mindfulness.org.au

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The Number 1 Anti-Ageing Intervention

Each month, I’ll be sharing some interesting and current Anti-Ageing information to help keep you up-to-date with the latest anti-ageing news, products and procedures. This month I thought I’d start with the MOST important anti-ageing intervention you can implement today…..

The effect of Calorie Restriction on longevity has been extensively researched since the 1930’s. There is evidence to suggest that restricting your calorie intake while maintaining adequate micronutrient intake can prolong life. Studies have confirmed this to be true in several species. Human studies are now underway however may take some time due to our long lifespan compared with other species. Nevertheless, excess calorie intake results in oxidative damage to our cells and accelerated cellular decline. Put simply, a high calorie diet, particularly one that is high in sugar and saturated fats, can damage your cells, increase your risk of premature illness and make you look older than you are.

Most people are consuming at least 20% more calories than their body requires (and are gradually getting fatter each year). Everyone has a different calorie requirement. It is worthwhile finding out your Basic Metabolic Rate, BMR, i.e. how many calories your body requires at rest each day in order to support bodily functions and maintain your current weight. If you need to lose weight, calculate your BMR at your ideal weight and stick to that calorie intake. This will help you lose weight gradually and delay calorie-related ageing. Your face will be glad you did!

Useful Links:
Calculate your Basic Metabolic Rate
Calculate your ideal weight