Fast Living, Slow Ageing

Posted: Tue 13 Jul, 2010

In today’s modern environment most people are living in the fast lane of life. This can be a great way of getting things done, though it also has some drawbacks, such as accelerating the physical aging process.

Slowing the ageing process has become increasingly popular, this is obvious through the number of ‘anti-aging’ clinics and treatments available and being used. Fortunately, there are other methods you can use to counter rapid ageing other than treating only the symptoms.

When you live in the fast lane, in most cases this means increased stress levels. This has the hormonal consequence of high levels of cortisol, a prime stress hormone. Cortisol excess causes rapid aging.

Stress hormones are only designed to be released for short periods of time to overcome a stress (something life threatening), however when we’re chronically exposed to the release of cortisol, there is a corresponding increase in the rate of physical aging. If continued for long enough, this habit can lead to adrenal gland (where cortisol is produced) fatigue, and then chronic fatigue.

At this point the body forces rest upon you, resulting in no more fast anything.
To remedy this, it’s important to find a balance that works for you and any other people in your life, allowing you to both get things done and have enough quiet time to relax and essentially calm down from the stress (and stress hormone release) of the busy day.

Various ways that people slow down are very subjective and can come in many forms, such as: a slow walk, reading, painting, taking a bath, getting a massage, meditating, cooking or any other activity which allows you to feel calm and relaxed.

If you play hard & fast, give yourself the balance of resting!

About the Author

Peter Lacoste is the Personal Training co-ordinator and works in specialised musculo-skeletal therapy at Levity. He also works in Psychosomatic (mind/body) therapy which aims at bridging the gap between emotions and physical symptoms to help resolve pain or discomfort in either. For more information on this article or to make an appointment contact Levity Health (02) 9389 0278 or email Peter directly at peterv@levityhealth.com.au.