Mar/Apr 2008

Top 10 Anti-Aging Tips
By Aurora Winter

THE PROBLEM
Our environment is making us sick. Physical and emotional stress cause premature aging.

Every day we are exposed to thousands of toxic chemicals. They are everywhere, all the time, and they’re a big part of why we get sick.

Every day we are bombarded with thousands of incoming messages — advertising, email, voice mail. It’s like drinking from a fire hose. Our fast-paced world often creates a sense of overwhelm and anxiety. That emotional stress accelerates aging.

Intense emotional stress can even trigger sudden death. As reported on CBS News, doctors at John Hopkins University have confirmed that the sudden death of a loved one really can cause a broken heart. They have dubbed the condition “broken-heart syndrome.” Tragic or shocking news can stun the heart and produce heart attack-like symptoms, which can result in death. Emotional stress is something to be treated seriously.

The American Cancer Society says that 90% of all cancer is environmental. Our drinking water can contain over 700 chemicals. Scientists estimate that we consume an average of 8 pounds of preservatives each year. When you wrap your food in plastic and then microwave it, you create carcinogens from the dioxin in the plastic. Dioxin is one of the most potent carcinogens known to man.

Although we can limit our exposure to them, chemicals in the air, water, and soil are largely out of our control.

We do have control over our diet and lifestyle, however. The choices we make affect our health, vitality, and longevity.

THE SOLUTION
The first step is to take the responsibility for your own health. The good news is that, by making changes, you can reverse aging by up to 17 years.

“The biggest obstacle to people’s health is stress,” says Dr. Michael Galitzer, an anti-aging endocrinologist based in Los Angeles. “Sure, you can detoxify, eat right, and exercise, but getting your emotional and mental state under control is the most important measure you can take.”

Toxic emotions such as anger, resentment, guilt, shame, and grief all need to be released. Choose a qualified therapist or certified coach to help you free yourself of these prematurely-aging emotions.
Grief, resentment, and anger steal your vitality. When I work with my clients, the years seem to melt away.

For example, one of my clients is a 59-year-old woman who thought her life was over after her husband died. She was miserable. People avoided her. After working with me for a few months, she released her grief. She became excited about her future. People were eager to be around her. She’s now got a twinkle in her eyes and a bounce in her step — and a much younger boyfriend.

In terms of taking care of your body, it comes down to the simple basics that your mother taught you. Eat wholesome, healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, drink water, exercise, and get your beauty sleep.

“Sleep is a huge component in anti-aging,” says Dr. Ron Rothenberg, an anti-aging specialist based in San Diego. We live in a culture that seems to think sleeping is a waste of time. What most people don’t realize is that by choosing to be chronically sleep-deprived, they are aging faster.

Give your body everything it needs, including vitamins and minerals. Get your hormones checked by your doctor. Be proactive and get informed about your health. I also recommend reading “Ageless” by Suzanne Somers.

Another key to leading a vibrant life is to surround yourself with positive, successful people. People who are living their life’s purpose have a youthful zest for life that’s contagious. Choose to be one of these people yourself.

Find your passion. Do not settle for a mere job when you could be living your calling. People who are living their passion are inspired. They know they are making a difference. They are happy.

Happy people are 35% less likely to get sick, and live seven years longer. Happy people earn a million dollars more over the course of their lifetime, according to “Happy for No Reason” author Marci Shimoff.

If you’re not bouncing out of bed excited to start each day, work with a certified coach who can help you get excited about life again.

For example, one of my clients is a young widower. He was working at a stressful, unsatisfying job that was killing him. His blood pressure skyrocketed, and his doctor warned him to reduce stress. When my client decided to pursue his passion, his life transformed.

Now, he has achieved his life-long dream of becoming a published author. He’s excited about life and eager to help others. Having personally experienced the life-changing impact of being coached, he’s taking the coach certification training at the Grief Coach Academy, so he can help others.

“Be the change you want to see in the world,” said Gandhi. While one person cannot transform the entire planet overnight, we can all contribute to a better environment by choices we make in our own lives.

 

Aurora Winter is founder of www.GriefCoachAcademy.com and author of “From Heartbreak to Happiness: An Intimate Diary of Healing.”

Dr. Wayne Dyer said, “I read every page of this beautiful diary—it touched my heart and I know it will impact yours.”

Read Aurora’s book for FREE. Visit: www.FromHeartbreaktoHappiness.com,

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