There is a great deal of money being spent around the industrialized nations of the world to sustain our youth, how much is really impossible to calculate. People are buying anti aging products and services such as anti wrinkle serums, health supplements, Botox treatments and cosmetic surgery to lift foreheads and chins and any other sagging body parts. Some would say their creased faces and gnarled bodies show experience and hard lessons learned, etc.
Those advancing in age try other things to turn back the clock in an attempt to rid our appearance of those many hard lessons, like doing yoga and special devices for facial workouts to tighten these muscles. Some buy exercise equipment that they turn into expensive clothes hangers and even acupuncture. We are warned not to smoke and keep out of the sunlight, get more sleep, drink less alcohol and more water and herb tea…
So all of these things and so many more to ward off aging and yet we still get old and wrinkly, what are we missing? I believe we know the answer innately. We should begin by considering those dreaded wrinkles and why we get them. They are the one thing beyond grey that gives away our age quickly at a glance. When we express ourselves we usually do so by changing our facial expression and over time, holding these expressions causes creases to form. Regardless of what you have heard, this is no myth and absolutely a fact.
A number of things contribute to the aging affect of wrinkles – worry for one since we tighten our facial muscles we cause lines to form. Of course, smiling will have the same ultimate effect but something tells me the vast majority would rather have the smile lines. Rather than blowing your hard earned cash on the latest well branded wrinkle potion, the best advice you will hear is to just quit worrying. Someone once said worrying is like buying a ticket for a train that you never ride on – or something like that. You get the message though.
The next time you are engrossed with worry, try to step away from the experience and focus on what it is you are feeling by shutting your eyes and simply find where your strain is in your body. The majority will feel the tightness in their shoulder region. Nevertheless, there are other areas that react to this stress and others can easily see the result. The way your face looks as it is being commanded by the muscles due to your emotion displays the strain you are experiencing, or fright or any number of other emotions.
On top of that, it becomes even more obvious based on your bearing or how you carry yourself and it is reflective of your self-assurance and a sure sign of control loss. There has been some noteworthy research carried out in the psychology known as The Facial Feedback Hypothesis. Scientific investigators revealed that inhibiting the capacity for motion of particular muscles in our body will cause alterations in our emotive capabilities and more fascinating still, in our cognitive ability or how we think!
One PhD who observed contributors subsequent to a pin point therapy meant to paralyze a solitary couple of corrugator muscles, those that control wrinkling of our brow grimaces. He asked participants to read some testimonials prior to and then two weeks post Botox treatment. The testimonials were in order – irritating, sad and cheerful. The Dr. tested the individual’s capability to comprehend each emotive testimonial. Subsequent to the Botox therapy, the test subjects took longer to read the irritating and sad statements. Though the time that elapsed was not much, it had a major impact on the results.
There were further investigations conducted where scientists noticed that participants who had Botox injections were quite a bit less depressed. The effect of this showed an eventual decline over time, the same effect that Botox has on creases. Worry means we age prematurely and this was displayed in another study completed in 2004. For a long time it was thought that continuous stress, left unchecked would cause people to look older and this particular study actually demonstrated an obvious connection between constant stress and aging. It drew a conclusion that telomeres [the shoe lace type of cap at the end of a chromosome that shortens with age] also react by shortening when an individual is experiencing prolonged emotional trauma, essentially aging our cells prematurely.
Based on the facial feedback hypothesis model, it is telling us that when we smile, the whole world is smiling right along with us, like the song of old, and it would be correct. In point of fact, this study is giving a conflicting view – that when you are frowning, the whole world appears less irritated and not as sad – this according to the PhD.
The study seems to target the point that there is a response mechanism at play that when you display a cheerful facial look, your remaining body parts react to that look, you begin to respond to the emotion. It’s possible that you might not display that type of immediate negative cognitive reaction to the things which make you angry when you hear, see and read that can potentially be stressful. What this means that when you smile, you will be more cheerful, you may stay more youthful in your appearance, slow the aging process, and even be healthier!
We can use this information if we can understand how it can assist us. When we react to situations in our lives that are tension filled by worrying or feeling strain, take a look at yourself in a mirror. By force of habit have you got a look of strain and anxiety etched on your face? Do you notice any wrinkles that are creasing your face?
This is definitely not an attempt to persuade you to go have Botox shots by any means. There are methods by which you can deliberately elevate your happiness quotient while lowering the chances of acquiring strain induced creases or anxiety wrinkling. Begin by keeping aware of any tightening sensations in your face.
When you notice this, diminish them by concentrating on cheerful, bright and better memories. You will experience an instantaneous transformation from that tightened ribbon stretched across your forehead and the tightly squinted eyes, to a relaxed slackening sensation in your face. This will be similar to a soothing meditative state. Remain attentive in the moment, concentrate on happier times you have experienced in your life, allow yourself to smile and breathe placidly and deep while thinking cheerful thoughts.
Staying focused on happy thoughts will alter your facial appearance and have an effect on not simply your wrinkles, but also on your entire autonomic central nervous system. By thinking positive, happy thoughts, you will elevate your level of happiness and well being will reign! Just think, when you decide to be happy, you enhance your appearance as well as your health. Such a simple thing to do and you will actually feel great doing it and amaze those around you while they wonder what work you have had done! Start doing this today and you will see and feel the results very soon.
Sat, Jun 5, 2010
Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Lifestyle, Longevity