Aging Holistically

Holistic approaches to anti-aging are not new. For thousands of years people all over the world have viewed lifestyle and self-care to be essential in aging holistically.  I believe here in the USA we are just beginning to catch on to this trend.

Today, it is very much worth our while to consider holistic approaches for various reasons. Unlike conventional anti-aging approaches, which involve the use of anti-aging creams, serums, or even drastic measures such as cosmetic surgery, holistic approaches aim to target and heal the problems that are at the root of the aging process. This contrasts with traditional anti-aging approaches, in which it is usually just the symptoms of the aging process that are treated.

Aging holistally deals with the entire person as a whole,

including body, mind, and spirit.

[Tweet “Basically, holistic approaches to anti-aging involve slowing down the repercussions of aging in the human body by addressing key elements believed to play a significant role in unhealthy aging and ensuring the person is returned to or kept at an optimal state of health and wellness.”]

Holistic approaches to anti-aging are based on various facts. According to wholism, it is not possible to  focus on just one of the areas of your body on which aging has taken its toll. To eliminate the effects of aging you must analyze your entire body’s condition, and consider the health of mind, body, and spirit.

Factors That Cause You To Age

Stress, diet and sleep all affect your appearance and the rate at which you age. These factors may cause your skin to look unhealthy.

Free Radicals

Free radicals are an indirect cause of aging. This is because they cause inflammation in our bodies, which in turn, may lead to accelerated and unhealthy aging.

In order to prevent free radicals from damaging our body, it’s helpful to consume foods that contain large amounts of antioxidants, which are nutrients that fight the effects of free radicals.

Whole Foods Highest In Antioxidants:

• Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries and Strawberries
• Kidney, pinto and black beans
• Cranberries
• Artichokes
• Prunes
• Apples: Red delicious, Granny Smith and Gala
• Pecans
• Sweet cherries
• Black plums
• Potatoes
• Plums

You could also combat the damage caused by free radicals by supplementing your diet with vitamins B, C, zinc, and magnesium.

To maintain a youthful appearance it is highly recommended to drink large quantities of water. By drinking water, you are not only re-hydrating your body. Water also improves skin elasticity, and reinforces healing collagen, which will slow the manifestation of wrinkles, and sagging.  I like to use special water bottles or containers that help me to remember to get all that water in during the day.  It’s extremely important to be consuming at least 1/2 your weight in water.  So for instance if you weigh 150 lbs, then its a good idea to be drinking at least 75 ounces a day in water.  I like these water bottles the best.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

In order to function correctly, your body needs essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These are fats that are healthy for you, and they aid the cells to function correctly and support heart health. Heart disease is the #1 killer of American men and women, and it is a leading cause of death in other countries around the world.  I take Omega-3 supplements every single day, I have found these burpless ones to be the best. 

Foods Highest In Fatty Acids:

Grains and Nuts

• Bread
• Cereal
• Flax seed
• Peanut butter
• Oatmeal
• Pumpkin seeds
• Walnuts

Fresh Produce

• Parsley
• Kale
• Spinach
• Brussels sprouts
• Mint
• Watercress

Fatty Fish

• Halibut
• Herring
• Trout
• Fresh Tuna
• Mackerel
• Oysters
• Salmon
• Sardines

Foods Fortified With Omega-3’s

• Eggs
• Milk
• Juice
• Soy milk
• Yogurt

Oils

• Flaxseed oil
• Soybean oil
• Walnut oil
• Canola oil
• Cod liver oil

Poor Blood Circulation

Poor blood circulation is another factor that causes you to age. Practitioners of holistic medicine often employ cayenne pepper to boost circulation. Cayenne pepper enables blood to circulate more freely by dilating the blood vessels, thus carrying necessary oxygen and nutrients through the body.

Cayenne pepper has additional benefits as well: it strengthens your immune system and thins blood, reinforces the heart and regulates blood pressure and palpitations.

Stress Reduction

One of the most important elements in holistic medicine is reducing stress. Stress affects the whole body and causes imbalance that leads to disease and overall ill health, and may greatly accelerate the aging process.

In holism, stress reduction is seen as central to healthy aging,

and is considered a proactive effort.

Meditation, relaxation exercises, yoga, and aromatherapy are often recommended to get stress under control. All of these tactics help to provide healing to the mind, body, and spirit and offer a balanced state for those who seek to improve their overall mental and physical wellness through younger and aging years.  Have y’all tried downloading and listening to mediation or relaxation music?  It’s amazing and really help to calm the mind and spirit and yes, it even calms your body too.

Exercise

Working out also helps to preserve general health, thus ensuring that you age slower and healthier. Peak physical fitness means the body is in its best shape and able to keep you strong and healthy.

Physical exercise boosts the rate of your metabolism, which ensures healthy weight management through the aging years, something of utmost importance since metabolism naturally slows as we age and weight gain becomes more probable. Consequently, your body will not be strained by overweight and obesity, and the aging process will be slowed down.

The Bottom Line is…

There are numerous approaches to reducing the rate at which you age and to remain in optimal health through the aging years.

Holistic approaches never just address symptoms of specific health problems, but instead aim to return or keep the person in a state of balanced health between mind, body, and spirit. Wholism targets overall wellness, and when we are well, we only get better with age.

Here’s to aging gracefully,