What happens with Age?
 |
| "It's not how old you are, it's how you are old" - Jules Renard |
Cells deteriorate
- These are the basic building blocks of all tissues in the body (muscles, etc)
- Connective tissue becomes stiff, making organs, blood vessels and airways more rigid so not so efficient
- The speed of deterioration or how long a person lives is a balance between how fast things go wrong and how efficiently the body functions to prevent damage build up
Nervous System
- Nerve cells transmit messages more slowly
- As nerve cells break down, senses may be lost such as sight or hearing
- Reflexes may be lost causing imbalances
- Slowing of thought, memory and thinking
Metabolism
-
This is the sum of all chemical reactions taking place in the body (energy is required for the brain, heart, lungs and other organs to function and for activities like eating, walking)
- Metabolism usually declines 2-3% with every 10 years in adults mainly due to an increase in body fat
Changes to the Skeleton
-
Osteoporosis where the bones become thinner as a result of a decline in bone tissue renewal
- These thinner bones are more vulnerable to breaking
- Osteoarthritis where the cartilage that lines the joints gradually degenerates with wear and tear (such as the knee)
Organ Function
-
Heart, lungs, kidney, liver and brain are all affected
- The rate of ageing varies from one person to the next
- Often one organ becomes the “weakest link”
- Those that live into their 100s do not have a weak link!
Our DNA
-
Genes (or our blueprint) are passed down from one generation to another so we may look like our parents or grandparents
- As we age, WE do not necessarily inherit the diseases our parents had because every cell in the human body has a membrane which contains 100s of 1000s of protein receptor switches that act like revolving doors deciding whether to let in or let out molecules e.g. those that trigger cancer
- What causes the turn of the switch is an environmental signal – from the air, water and food we consume, the toxins we are exposed to, and even the people we surround ourselves with
How can we Age Gracefully?
There is no magic pill or miracle cure (sorry sis) but there is buckets we can do to keep our bodies and minds healthy. Some of this you will know, most of it will seem like common sense and hopefully all of you will do one of the list below to make a positive change to lead to a healthier and happier tomorrow.Eating well
- Let food be your medicine.
- Cook from scratch, that way you know what is in the food you are consuming (jamie oliver has some brilliant 30min dishes online)
- Avoid processed food and the sweet stuff – it tastes good but plays no part in the functioning of the human body.
- Supplements - required more nowadays with the fast food fads that have no nutritional value. Take them in the liquid form as absorbed quicker and act faster.
- Vitamin B – all B’s are good for the nervous system and most people experience stress at some stage in their life.
Drinking good quality water
Filtered or bottled water is better than tap water, unless you live in the Scottish highlands!
Breathing fresh
air
- Get into green spaces if you work in the city to soak up less polluted air
- Breathing properly is possibly the most important thing you can do in this life time to de-stress, massage your internal organs, improve your thinking capacity, improve your physical stamina and relieve pain. Without our breath, we would not survive. It is something that requires practice as we do it all day long and often incorrectly.
Living a fulfilled
Life
- Ensuring you have a happy home is at the heart of good health
- Recognising any work/relationship/home life stress and dealing with it
- Every thought and emotion produces either a stress or healing response in the body which is why people bang on about meditation and why physical therapies provide clues to where there are “imbalances” in our lives.
- Life is for living not enduring so stop and listen to your body and respond to its needs
Self-healing
- Giving yourself a daily 30mins to focus on you, your breath or an exercise routine can work wonders. This includes parents too!
- Stretching, mobilising joints and strengthening your core is key to walking tall and fluidly
- Stiff, rigid bodies break easier than malleable flexible ones
- Taking glucosamine with chondroitin daily or Vegepa (pure omega 3/6) helps joints as do oily fish
- Prickle balls and tennis balls are fantastic tools to trigger point any tension in muscles
- Use nature's finest products for everything: from skin care, to hair care, cleaning products, and make up. It is amazing how many people are allergic to chemicals in everyday products.
Resources:
- Nutritionist: Julia Charles www. nutritionfornow.co.uk
- Liquid vitamins: www.nutricentre.com
- Helene Deville Moisturiser, tonic, face peel and spot cream: Vanessa!
- Prickle balls:www.amazon.co.uk
- Foam/stability rollers: www.physicalcompany.co.uk
Books
- Look Great Naturally- Janey Lee Grace
- Imperfectly Natural baby and Toddler - Janey Lee Grace
- Imperfectly Natural Woman - Janey Lee Grace
Please contact Vanessa on 01491 577480 to book a massage treatment if you want to make one positive change today!
