We all know that the year we were born indicates our chronological age and the state of health of our bodies can indicate our biological age and ideally we want to have our biological age lower than our chronological age. Well did you know that during your Christmas holidays you are most likely doing more to lower your biological age than at any other time of the year?
Let me explain.
In every cell of your body are chromosomes and on the end of the chromosomes are telomeres which look like the plastic tips of shoelaces. It is these telomeres (which are like a biomarker of ageing) which scientists believe that by keeping them longer you will live longer and reduce your risk of age related chronic diseases such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
How do I keep my plastic shoelace tips or telomeres longer I hear you ask?
Science has known for some time now that there are certain lifestyle changes that are good for you such as a healthy diet, regular exercise and reducing stress. Scientists working in the area of ageing have evidence that these positive lifestyle changes may prevent the shortening of your telomeres i.e. keeping them longer for a longer life.
Back to your Christmas holidays and turning back your clock.
Stress: Stress is one of the three lifestyle factors that is believed to shorten your telomeres. Holidays are a time when people relax with no meetings or deadlines which in turn automatically reduces day to day stress levels so without even trying you are a third of the way to a healthier and younger you.
Healthy Eating: Most people find the end of year holidays is a time they eat more healthily because they are not rushing to work, getting caught up in meetings and missing meals. You can sit down to a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner and although you might eat a little more but generally it is healthy food.
Regular Exercise: A lot of people find they are more active on their holidays with extra physical activity instead of the usual workday spent sitting at a desk. Imagine not being at work for a couple of weeks…. it is not going to get much easier than this to put on your joggers and go out for a walk. Start walking on flat areas for the first couple of sessions before you tackle any hills and then only increase your walk to small hills.
If you are past the intro stage of regular exercise and not sure where to go from there just give me a call or drop me an email and I can give you some advice. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it was built, brick by brick. Imagine coming back from your holidays with a head start on your health and keeping your telomeres longer and potentially your life expectancy. Don’t let the years catch up to you, stay one step ahead.
Everybody Personal Fitness.com.au
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