What makes us age prematurely? (Part One)

Often, I wonder what makes us age faster than we normally should, as I believe fear and apprehension of future events is what puts a brake of what we consider doing, and the next question that comes to mind if there are ways we can follow to turn this around or at least slow down our reluctance to leap forward. 

From what I was able to read, learn and gather, psychological stress, especially chronic fear and apprehension about the future, can indeed accelerate the way we age both biologically and emotionally.

Research and expert insights also tell us that persistent worry triggers the release of cortisol, a stress hormone that, over time, damages cells, shortens telomeres (these protective caps on DNA), and accelerates aging. 

In addition, internalizing societal beliefs that aging equals decline is a dangerous self-fulfilling prophecy that reduces our motivation and weakens our resilience. The same can be said about fear of failure or future loss and the social withdrawal they cause, that’s often linked to cognitive decline and emotional stagnation. 

Finally, a deep-rooted fear of aging itself (it’s called gerontophobia) can cause people to shy away from growth opportunities by reinforcing a sense of helplessness. 

Tomorrow, we’ll explore ways we can avoid falling into this too common trap, so stay tuned!