Lifestyle :Can we find the Fountain of Youth?
The fountain of youth is a legendary spring that reputedly restores the age of anyone who drinks it or baths in it.
On April 2, 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León and his crew became the first recorded Europeans to set eyes on Florida.
Legend holds that they made this discovery while searching for the Fountain of Youth, a magical water source supposedly capable of reversing the ageing process and curing sickness.
This legend may have no historical evidence to prove its authenticity, but we do know that premature ageing is a subject that concerns most of us.
Folklore, myths, legends, stories, adages and proverbs can be found in every culture about the ‘mystical fountain of youth’ that confers lifelong youth and vitality on those who find it. If you are concerned about the ageing process, you are not alone.
It is a fact of life that we will age over time but some people age faster than others. We may never find the fountain of youth aforementioned, but there are some things we can do to age optimally.
For those who didn’t read this column last week, I talked about birthdays and how we respond to them. While some celebrate, some are indifferent and then there are those to whom a birthday is a sad reminder that the age clock is ticking very fast.
My father used to say that age is just a number and that you are as old as you think you are.
When I was little, I thought he was just coming up with excuses to make himself feel better about being ‘old.’ Now I am older and I subscribe to his view. I think birthdays are wonderful because they are an excuse to celebrate.
The real story about ‘finding the Fountain of Youth’ depends on many factors. Your age is just one piece of the puzzle.
Genetics has a part to play but the good news is that your health habits, your lifestyle and other factors may also be crucial factors.
We can’t do much about what the calendar says but we can change age accelerating habits. The cause and solution is just around the corner.
In secondary school, we use to take pride in how long we could stay up late. When you are much younger, you can get away with burning the midnight oil. As you get older, it becomes a different story altogether.
Research has shown that most adults function best with eight to nine hours of sleep each night. Apart from the feeling of tiredness when you have not had enough sleep, the most visible place lack of sleep shows up is on the face.
Believe me, beauty sleep is not an old wives’ tale. Sleep is vital for health and beauty. One of the most common misconceptions about the lack of sleep is that it will only create dark circles under your eyes.
While it is true that not getting proper sleep does make you look very tired, the real dangers of sleep deprivation go far beyond the aesthetic.
When you’re sleeping, the body takes the opportunity to repair damaged cells, detoxify and rejuvenate.
Not getting enough sleep can cause negative effects on your health, such as weight gain, impaired immune system, and decreased focus.
A sleep deprived face with tired eyes can never support even the most sincere efforts to look energetic and attractive.
Do you have anyone in your life you need to forgive? Well don’t procrastinate.
Apparently holding grudges adds years to your body. Studies have shown a link between forgiveness and physical health.
Holding on to a grudge or unforgiveness is not only damaging to your mental and emotional health, but can age you physically as well.
If you can let things go, you may be adding years to your life. I don’t know about you, but personally I am determined not to allow anyone to add wrinkles to my face.
When I get wrinkles, it will be due to nature and not due to a grudge I have against anyone.
To recap, last week I talked about the importance of a healthy diet and cutting down on sugar intake. Today, I added lack of sleep and letting go of grudges.
Next week, I will add a few more habits that speed up the ageing process.
In the meantime, begin to assess your daily routine to find out which of the activities could be adding ‘years’ to your age.
In many ways we are still looking for the ‘Fountain of Youth.’ Scientists and pharmaceutical companies are searching for drugs to make us live longer. Supplements, fad diets and exercise routines all claim to prolong life.
In the end, a healthy lifestyle and good relationships are some of your best bets to slow down the ageing clock.
If you don’t like how you feel or what you see in the mirror, there is no better time to act than now!
The writer is the author of The Seduction of Food
