How Stress is Aging You

Telomeres, the sustainer

The lifespan of an organism depends on the length of the DNA’s telomeres, which are the extensions preventing the DNA’s unwinding and degradation.

Chronic stress, on the other hand, shortens telomeres, and therefore, shortens lifespan. For example, two people, even identical twins, who share the same chronological age can differ in biological age—biologically older being the one who has faced much stress, adversity, or trauma.

However, as they can be shortened, telomeres can also be lengthened by lifestyle choices and experiences.

Telomerase, the extender

Today we know that our bodies consist of an enzyme called telomerase that can extend telomeres' length. However, the activity of this enzyme can be increased, decreased, or inhibited depending on various factors.

While bad nutrition, chronic stress, trauma, lack of self-love, lack of purpose, and isolation disrupt the function of telomerase, good nutrition, practices of mindfulness, self-love, having a purpose and meaningful connections positively affect its activity, improving our health and lifespan.

That being said...

I want to clarify one thing: the aim of this post is not to provide you with yet another negative view of aging but to inform you about chronic stress’ contributions to unhealthy aging.

Being able to age healthily, in my opinion, is a fortune that should be celebrated with immense gratitude. While death is an inevitable part of life, the sickness and hardship that we’re made to believe come with aging don't have to be.

In a book by Gabor Maté, psychiatrist and physician Lewis Mehl-Madrona shares a story touching the difference between Western medical understanding and his grandparents’ Indigenous tradition on this subject.

During one of his medical school classes, the teacher, a famed American physician, lectures: “Life is a relentless progression toward death, disease, and decay. The job of a physician is to slow the rate of decline.” Mehl-Madrona explains, “I was really shocked, because my great-grandmother always taught us that you should die healthy so ‘you can party on the other side.’ She didn’t really believe that you had to be sick to die. She didn’t connect sickness and death. For her, death was like your time is up, and sickness is just something you may have to go through.”

Gabor Maté asks how old his great-grandmother was when she died.

Mehl-Madrona replies, “In her mid-nineties, and in good health. It’s a funny story: one evening she told everyone that she was going to die that night. And she said, ‘It’s my time. My time is up.’ Then my mother, who was trying very hard to be modern, said, ‘Nonsense, you’re very healthy.’” His great-grandmother replied, “That has nothing to do with dying.’ And next morning, she was dead.

Instead of not aging, healthy aging as a goal

By being grateful for each coming year and celebrating every new age, maintaining a positive outlook in life to the best of our ability, learning to better manage stress, nurturing meaningful relationships, and taking good care of our physical, mental, and spiritual health, we can help our bodies cherish their ‘cellular clocks’ and contribute to a long, healthy life.

How to better manage stress

Spending time in nature, practicing authenticity, practicing gratitude, meditation, yoga, having honest conversations with trusted people, and so many other activities can help reduce stress and teach you how to be a better caregiver to yourself.

Experiment with different activities and tools to figure out what works best for you, and make sure you make time for them consistently.

Some resources by me:

Yoga & Meditation on YouTube

🌵 25-Min Bedtime Yoga to Relieve Stress, Calm the Mind, & Stretch the Body
🌵 45-Min Bedtime Yin Yoga for Relaxing & Empowering Reset
🌵 20-Min Meditation for People with Chronic Illness

Suggested Readings

🌵 The Link Between Chronic Stress & Illness
🌵 The Power of Meditation

Let's tackle life's challenges together and help you thrive in life: Life Coaching, Private Meditation Sessions, or a combination of both. Book a free consultation call with me now!