How to Be Ageless in Body, Mind and Spirit
Yesterday, I was wishing my cousin a happy birthday despite the fact that her mother had just died. She replied, “I’m glad we’re still having them.” We want to still have them for a long time to come, and we want them to be healthy and happy too.
In a “Natural Awakenings” magazine article entitled Ageless Being: Staying Vibrant in Mind, Body and Spirit by Kathleen Barnes, the author begins with quotes by Christiane Northrup, M.D. She is a leading authority in the field of women’s health and wellness, which includes the unity of mind, body, emotions and spirit. Dr. Northrup often says, “Don’t tell anyone how old you are. Another birthday means nothing.” As I always say, age doesn’t matter! So I’d like to explore here what we can do to live a long, fulfilling life.
Barnes says that in a nutshell, the philosophy of Dr. Northrup as explored in her book, Goddesses Never Age: The Secret Prescription for Radiance, Vitality, and Well-Being is:
Agelessness: Engaging in and experiencing life without fear of falling, failing or falling apart.
Here is an explanation of Dr. Northrup’s book, as explained on its back cover:
“Though we talk about wanting to “age gracefully,” the truth is that when it comes to getting older, we’re programmed to dread an inevitable decline: in our health, our looks, our sexual relationships, even the pleasure we take in living life. But as Christiane Northrup, M.D., shows us in this profoundly empowering book, we have it in us to make growing older an entirely different experience, for both our bodies and our souls.
“In chapters that blend personal stories and practical exercises with the latest research on health and aging, Dr. Northrup lays out the principles of ageless living, from rejecting processed foods to releasing stuck emotions, from embracing our sensuality to connecting deeply with our Divine Source. Explaining that the state of our health is dictated far more by our beliefs than by our biology, she works to shift our perceptions about getting older and show us what we are entitled to expect from our later years—no matter what our culture tries to teach us to the contrary—including:
- Vibrant good health
- A fulfilling sex life
- The capacity to love without losing ourselves
- The ability to move our bodies with ease and joy
- Clarity and authenticity in all our relationships—especially the one we have with ourselves
And she brings it all together in a 14-day Ageless Goddess Program, offering tools and inspiration for creating a healthful and soulful new way of being at any stage of life.”
Sounds good, so I’ll get a copy and see about writing a review for you later. I already had been given a copy of Dr. Northrup’s The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing During the Change, about menopause as a mind-body revolution that brings the greatest opportunity for growth since adolescence.
In Ageless Being, Barnes talks about how to maintain a radiant body, mind and spirit:
First – Maintain a Sound Mind
According to State University of New York at Stony Brook researchers,
60 is the new 40!
They further note that we are leading longer and healthier lives.
While our Western society fosters the belief that after age 50 we decline horribly in our mental, physical and social health, just try googling fashion bloggers over 50. They are healthy, energetic, vital, youthful, stylish and engaged in life. I, and many of my fellow bloggers, are working to give you proof that 60 is the new 40!
Besides, our beliefs can actually change our DNA for better or for worse, according to Bruce Lipton, PhD, author of Biology of Belief.
Second – Take Control of the Body
The degeneration process can be broken down into four components: oxidative damage (i.e., rusty cells), inflammation, glycation (which consists of excess sugar and metabolic syndrome) and stress.
- Oxidation: The recommendation to combat this is a diet rich in antioxidants, including lots of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, nuts, organic dairy products and grass-fed meats (for those who are not vegetarian). Eating organic foods helps you to avoid free radicals from toxic chemicals.
- Inflammation: Dr. Bowden suggests getting a C-reactive protein (CRP) test to determine levels of inflammation in our body. Foods that have been proven to reduce chronic inflammation are: onions, garlic, leafy greens, tomatoes, beans, nuts and seeds.
- Glycation: Dr. Bowden basically says to stay away from sugar and simple carbs (white flour, white rice, etc.), as well as fried foods and anything cooked at high temperatures. He also recommends taking 1,000 mg of carnosine daily (available in health food stores).
- Stress: Stress management in its many forms (prayer, meditation and breathing exercises) should be part of any ageless program. Other habits that keep stress down are: deep, restful sleep; ending toxic relationships; having a nurturing circle of friends; and gentle exercise such as yoga or tai chi.
Your biological age does not depend on how many years you have been on the planet. The above recommendations keep your body younger than your years, and certain lifestyle choices age your body beyond your years such as: uncontrolled portion sizes, tobacco use and physical inactivity.
Third – Align with Spirit
Regarding our spirit, Barnes begins by quoting Dr. Northrup: “If you don’t have some kind of spiritual foundation, literally, God help you. God isn’t confined to a book or a church, mosque or synagogue. Divinity is the creative loving, vital flow of life force that we’re all part of and connected to. Our bodies are exquisite expressions meant to embody, not deny our spirits.”
Touch, pleasure and sex have been shown to extend life…and we know it makes each day more fulfilling. Any pleasure of the senses or connection with friends and loved ones makes life worth living. And creativity, arts and crafts bring beauty and meaning to our lives. Going outdoors and getting in touch with nature connects us with the world we live in and inspire us, too. Joy gives us a reason to wake up each day and live with enthusiasm.
Helpful Links
To compute the real age of your body based on how you take care of it, go to: ShareCare.com/RealAge.
To try an age-defying exercise by Kathleen Barnes, go to Natural Awakenings.
Would you like to live long and be ageless? Tell us what you think in the comments below!
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Age Doesn't Matter, Body Mind & Spirit, Inspiration, Lifelong Health, Uncategorized
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