Yes, premature aging is a thing. And yes, it can be prevented.
In my opinion, there are 4 BIG things you can do right now to slow the premature aging that has become so commonplace in our culture.
Speaking of which–when I was a kid, I remember people being obese, and being diagnosed with things like Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Cancer was a rarity. Now it is commonplace.
In fact, Georgetown University reports that over 66% of all adults in the U.S. are on some kind of prescription medication. The article goes on to say, “The great majority of adults who have one of five common chronic conditions — diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, and cancer — use prescription drugs.”
Common chronic conditions. Since when? The last 60+ years–that’s since when.
That statistic doesn’t even account for children who are obese (according to the CDC obesity now affects 1 in 5 children and adolescents in the United States). And since the stats are a few years old now, they are very likely much higher at present.
Obesity and disease are the very definition of decline. The body is breaking down, immunity is shot, prescription use–with all of its devastating health impacts–is at all all-time high. People are aging faster than ever as a result. Many are alive longer due to medical interventions and prescription medications–but this is only creating a longer lifespan in the absence of health. Prescription and reactive medical interventions treat symptoms of disease and decline, they do not address the root cause, and they do not reverse chronic conditions.
So what CAN we do to prevent this from happening to us? It turns out, quite a lot.
- Change your relationship with food. Specifically, your mental and emotional framework around sugar and processed food. Only consume real, whole food. The health of your body is directly connected to your gut health–and your gut cannot be healthy if you consume processed foods and too much sugar. There are hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific studies that explain how these foods destroy the healthy balance of bacteria in your gut responsible for protecting your body from premature decline. There are hundreds more directly linking mental conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, depression, and anxiety directly to sugar intake. Tony the Tiger is not your friend. The time to rethink what you’ve been led to believe by culture and media, and your relationship with food is NOW if you want to prevent premature decline.
- Move your body. Exercise is not just a great idea–it is absolutely required for health. What we do not move, we lose. Sitting behind your desk all day is carcinogenic–and indisputably scientifically tied to nearly every chronic disease. In addition, as we get older our muscles, sense of balance, and coordination all deteriorate by the day when not used. This is why we see people unable to hold their own body weight upright as they age–their musculoskeletal structure can no longer support itself. This is why the metabolism slows–it is fueled by muscle. And this is why we experience brain fog, anxiety, and depression–our body is made to move and when we neglect it, all systems steadily decline.
- Make sleep a priority. It’s impossible to overstate how vital sleep is to your health and the prevention of decline. There is no way we can reverse damage and live strong from a healthy core without getting our sleep dialed in. Sleep is the only time your body repairs itself from the day, and prepares for the next. It is when your body detoxes, creates new brain cells, repairs tissues in the gut and skin, produces hormones (notably Human Growth Hormone, responsible for cellular repair and much more), regulates metabolism and appetite, files and consolidates memories, among hundreds more important bodily functions. For all of this to take place, you need 7-8 hours of quality sleep per night. The bottom line: if you want to smash midlife, you need to get your sleep on LOCK.
- Manage your mind. Stress and emotional well-being are inextricably linked to your physical health and well-being. This is why a practice that helps you develop self-awareness is so important. They simply cannot be separated. Some would argue this is is the first, and most important aspect of these areas to address for health. I believe they are equally important. That is why I have structured my coaching program, Smashing Midlife, to address all of these areas along with the tools we can use to gain greater and greater mastery over them.
If you work on dialing-in these 4 practices, you will begin to reverse the aging process before your very own eyes. There is much more to each of these areas of course, and we take a far deeper look at these and more in my coaching course, Smashing Midlife. If you would like support making these transitions and learning how to sustainably layer these age-reversing habits into your life, this course is for you. I created it to show you the way and empower you with the information and tools you need to make these changes STICK.
You can absolutely create an amazing future full of possibilities, freedom, and excellent health–no matter your age. There is always room for improvement. You do not have to be at the mercy of profit-first health models that are at the foundation of our current, exceptionally overweight, unhappy, and prematurely aging society. It’s never easy to make positive change in a world that is constantly promoting the opposite, but it is so very worth it–you are worth it. It’s challenging, messy, and incredibly beautiful work.
If you’re ready, I’m ready to walk alongside you. Reserve your spot in my next Smashing Midlife course, or set up individual coaching with me. Spots fill quickly, so be sure to set up your discovery call today so we can figure out what will be the best fit for you.
I can’t wait to meet you and help you get your keys back!
? @rodlong
