One of the best things you can do for your health is to take more me time. This can help decelerate stress and slow aging. Try incorporating the following techniques into your routine this year. 1. Meditation. Mindfulness meditation can help your body process blood sugar better, help curb overeating and improve blood pressure, too. 2. Deep breathing. When you breathe in through your nose (count to four) and out through your mouth (slowly, count to eight), that sends beneficial nitric oxide into your lungs—encouraging your airways to expand. You’ll instantly increase the oxygen level in your blood by up to 3 percent. Not bad! 3. Time with friends. Getting together to watch the big game, going to a Friday night movie or however else you do it, spending time with supportive friends and family feels great and makes you healthier. Studies show that social support calms blood pressure, lowers stress hormone levels and can slow your heart rate. So give your BFF a call today and get together with someone you like (or love) this week. 4. Music. Lots of research shows listening to your favorite tunes can knock a few points off your blood pressure, soothe stress hormone levels and reduce pain. 5. Just chill ... at home or away. Whether you take a vacation, a “staycation,” kick back for an hour with a glass of wine and a good book or go for a soak in the tub, plain old relaxation has big benefits. Vacations cut the risk for heart attacks and heart-disease-related deaths in two big studies of men and women. And in one recent study, men who took time every day to relax actually lengthened their telomeres. Simply put, chilling out keeps you younger longer and gives you a younger RealAge. Find out more at realage.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 18:08:13 +0000
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