4 ways to slow down the aging process

Maximum human life span is considered to be 122 years. Jeanne Calment is the oldest documented human individual who ever lived. Her age was confirmed by numerous official papers, and it is still a record holder among centenarians. Calment herself explained that she owed her longevity to regular consumption of olive oil, fruit, and a positive attitude. Moreover, until the age of 100, she led an active lifestyle. She cycled, played tennis, and even fenced.

Of course, humanity has not yet figured out how to cheat aging. But many diseases and conditions that are typical for the elderly can be delayed or even prevented. Here is what you can and should start doing now:

1. Eat healthy

How we look and feel is largely determined by what we eat. A balanced diet will help keep your weight under control. After all, extra pounds, especially in old age, is a serious burden on the cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal system. And do not forget to eat more fruits and vegetables, as they contain vital vitamins and elements. American scientists from Rush University Medical Center studied the condition of 960 elderly people and found that those who included vegetables in their daily diet looked 11 years younger.

Another study, conducted in 2018, revealed that the timing of food intake and controlling its amount can have an anti-aging effect. The risk of developing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, dementia, and cancer is reduced. The main rule of such a diet is intermittent fasting.

2. Exercise your brain

Experts from Harvard University believe that longevity is only 5% dependent on physical activity, 15% - on a balanced diet and 80% - on the intellectual level. The fact is that our brain begins to develop in the mother's womb and actively grows up to 6 years, reaching 90% of the total volume of the adult brain. The remaining 10% are added over the next 30-35 years of life. After 35-40 years, the brain begins to gradually shrink. At that time, some of its functions begin to fade. For example, memory.

The reason for this is that at the beginning of life, our brain actively forms new neural connections. But with age, they begin to break down. In order to delay the destruction as much as possible, you need to train your brain throughout your life. Here are 3 ways you can do this:

• Learn foreign languages. For people who speak two or more languages, it is easier to switch from one task to another and focus on what is important. Unlike those who speak only their native language.
• Explore new careers and activities. Doing that the brain will form new neural connections, as it did in childhood. It is not necessary to master doctor's career, if you are, for example, a lawyer. You can learn computer programs that are new to you or methods and techniques that have not been used before from your particular field.
• Practice neurobics. This is a special warm-up for the mind, stimulating the nerve cells to regenerate. One of the neurobics exercises is brushing your teeth or performing other activities with your left hand if you are right-handed and vice versa. Here are a few more: try dressing with your eyes closed or doing two things at once (like brushing your hair and brushing your teeth). By the way, changing the usual route to work or going to a new store is a way to exercise your brain.

3. Move as much as you can

Medical News Today claims that 45-minute combo workouts, done as often as possible, increase the intellectual strength of the brain. Extended lack of exercise leads to sarcopenia (muscle and bone atrophy). But you should not train until you lose consciousness, it will not help you become a long-lived person. Maintain balance. So, the author of the bestseller "The Complete Book of Running" and the populariser of jogging, Jim Fixx, ran 100 kilometers weekly in his fifties. But he died at 52 of a heart attack.

If you have a hard time running, find a different kind of physical activity for yourself. Walking is a good option. It stimulates heart activity and blood flow and circulation.

4. Maintain mental health

To maintain good emotional health, you need to learn how to digest bad news and negative emotions. Do not let anger, resentment, or fear drive you. Our brain loves positive emotions and information. Scientists from Johns Hopkins University conducted a study based on 62 thousand brain scans. The experts came to the conclusion that mental illnesses related to negative emotions accelerate the aging processes. The study also found that marijuana use shortens life by approximately 3 years.

In conclusion, we present the data from another study done by scientists from the United States, which was carried out for 34 years. It was found that quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a body mass index of 18.5 to 24.9 kg / m2, exercising for at least 30 minutes a day will help men increase life expectancy by 12 years, and women by 14. Thus, it is only up to us how we meet the age. So, you better start taking care of yourself and your health right this moment.