5 life extension practices you probably want to know about
If you're worried about getting old, you're not alone. The human body seems like it's on a crash course for death from the moment life begins but the truth is that your DNA is either aging or getting younger at any given moment. Scientists have even altered telomeres, the end-caps of chromosomes, and figured out how to make the DNA act younger.
Helen Blau, PhD, professor of microbiology and immunology at Stanford and director of the university’s Baxter Laboratory for Stem Cell Biology, says that "we have found a way to lengthen human telomeres by as much as 1,000 nucleotides, turning back the internal clock in these cells by the equivalent of many years of human life.”
So besides going into a lab and getting genetic treatment, what are 5 things you can incorporate into your daily life to slow the ageing process, or maybe even reverse it?
Probably the most important thing you can do with your life. The ability to clear the mind of thoughts lets you feel your body and pinpoint areas of discomfort to relax. It also brings a sense of peace and clarity that is unrivaled. Try letting your mind go blank for a while. You may notice that you subconsciously start to think about something else. Don't worry; as soon as you realize you're thinking about something, let it go and clear your mind. It takes practice but you can clear your mind and leave it empty for longer and longer periods of time. Eventually, you're a master.
Stretching is the best way to keep your body circulating. Though the heart beats on its own, the fluids in your body still need help to flow. If unpressed, the liquid can stagnate, cool and thicken. Stretching is a simple and easy way to keep your liquid flowing and heating up. Stretching body fat is a great way to heat it up and liquefy (or burn) it. The rush of blood helps cells grab a constant source of fresh oxygen and the flow of lymph gives the cells a clean place to deposit their waste to avoid becoming cancerous.
It all kind of works together, doesn't it? Alkaline foods like blueberries and cantaloupe keep the lymph in your body from getting overly acidic. Foods like meat, cheese and bread all cause high levels of acidity when broken down in your body. When the lymph becomes too acidic, cells can't dump their waste (the lymph is the sewer system of the body). If cells can't dump their waste they heat up and instead of dying will split in half. The resulting cell-splitting is what we know as cancer. Keeping your system at a balanced pH by eating alkaline foods is one of the best ways to prevent cancer and ensure your cells enjoy a long, healthy life.
Sounds simple. Water is glorious, it gives us life, cleans us and makes for a great drink. If you haven't yet, make water your number one drink of choice. Soak in the tub. If you have access to a tub, fire up a hot bath and throw some sea salt in there. Soak for at least 20 minutes; rest, relax, make it your meditation time, but stay in the water for the entire time. Flip over, get your face wet and soak face down while holding your breath. Make it a ritual. If you soak for at least 20 minutes, three days in a row you will start to see miraculous effects like scars beginning to fade away and wrinkles disappearing. Water is one of the greatest treasures we have as humans and the ability to soak in the tub should never be overlooked.
Maybe a little out-there and less tangible, but if you spend your days in a place of love, you will notice a stress reduction, relative to that felt when coming from a place of anger, stress, hate or loss. Focus on what you want out of life, forget the things you don't want. There is an ugly addiction to fighting against things you hate; forget that stuff. Look at what you have. Make it better for yourself and everyone around you. If you live in a place of goodness, your body also lives there with you. If you want to live, your body wants to live. You are your DNA, so treat it how you want it to be treated.