Age Gracefully: Holistic Approaches To Anti-Aging That Actually Work

The Joys and Sorrows of Aging

A ging is part of life, and everyone wants to live a long life. As people get older, the body and bodily functions naturally slow down. The skin can produce less collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles. The bones can also deteriorate, causing diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis. Many people want to find the secret to anti-aging. Holistic medicine and practices have been revered for exhibiting natural ways to improve the body and help people age gracefully. A holistic approach may be the key to decelerating the aging process.

What is holistic health and medicine?

Holistic health is a care approach that integrates physical, mental, spiritual, and even a person’s social well-being to create a comprehensive healthcare plan. Some of the basic tenets of holistic medicine are preventative care, along with connecting the mind, body, and spirit with different treatments. Holistic healthcare practices may appeal to people that consider traditional medicine to be too scientific and impersonal.

Incorporating holistic care into your health regimen

Taking a holistic approach to anti-aging doesn’t have to be drastic. As mentioned earlier, holistic healthcare experts heavily promote preventative care measures. People can incorporate some of these practices into a daily routine to ease into a holistic lifestyle. Holistic care is a way of life, so people should feel comfortable performing these practices on a regular basis.

What does stress do to the body?

Stress, especially chronic stress, ages people and leads to a variety of health concerns ranging from acne to a heart attack. Stress accelerates the body’s biological clock, which prevents cell turnover and causes cell damage. Chronic stress also leads to constant inflammation, which exacerbates many health conditions. Patients should practice stress management techniques to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases that wear down the body.

Stress management techniques that fight aging

Sleep is vital to keeping the body healthy, and getting adequate amounts of rest is a holistic practice that works wonders for patients. Another great stress management technique is exercise. Exercise makes the body release chemicals that boost mood, lessen inflammation, improve cellular repair, boost blood circulation, and enhance muscle function. Many stress management techniques double as anti-aging methods, so people should strive to keep stress levels low.

Eating a well-balanced diet and taking supplements

Food is the body’s major source of nutrients, and maintaining a healthy diet is an important holistic practice. People need to limit the amounts of sugar, fat, and cholesterol that are consumed. Patients should eat whole fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil. People can also take dietary supplements to add certain vitamins and minerals to the body. Healthy eating will keep the body in shape and minimize the aging process.

Wear sunscreen

Getting some much-needed sunlight can really improve a person’s mood and boost vitamin D production. However, too much sunlight is dangerous and can lead to serious conditions like skin cancer. The sun gives off harmful Ultraviolet A and B rays that permeate the skin and jumpstart the aging process. Wearing sunscreen is a preventative measure that protects the skin from dangerous sun rays. People should wear sunscreen with a skin protective factor (SPF) of 30 all year round.

Talk to a professional

People interested in holistic medicine should consult a medical professional. A naturopathic doctor is a medical professional with extensive knowledge of holistic practices. Other types of healthcare providers, like chiropractors, can also incorporate naturopathic techniques into practice. Patients should speak to a physician about getting a referral to a naturopathic provider.