WELLNESS
The Anti-Ageing Power of
Meditation Slowing down the aging process is a multi-billiondollar industry, with men and women seeking a more youthful appearance. The market offers an abundance of anti-wrinkle creams, serums, vitamins, and cosmetic treatments, making it overwhelming to determine the right choices for your skin and body. by Soelae Riley
W
hile meditation is commonly known for reducing stress and anxiety, I, as a woman in my early forties who has been practicing meditation for 15 years and teaching for 10, can attest to its antiageing benefits that extend beyond mental well-being. Often mistaken for being in my early to mid-thirties, I humorously suggest that meditation may be my secret. However, it turns out that meditation indeed has antiaging properties. Here’s how:
1.
STRESS REDUCTION
Meditation primarily helps you appear younger by reducing stress, a major contributor to premature aging. The burden of stress can accelerate the aging process. Stress triggers the production of cortisol in our bodies, which leads to inflammation and collagen breakdown in the skin. Regular meditation has been proven to lower cortisol levels, resulting in reduced inflammation and healthier, more youthful-looking skin. The difference in our appearance when we are constantly stressed and burned out compared to when we are ‘cool, calm, and collected’ is remarkable.
2.
INCREASED GREY MATTER VOLUME
Another way meditation reverses the ageing process is by increasing grey matter volume in the brain. Grey matter plays a crucial role in cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and decision-making. As we age, our grey matter volume naturally decreases, leading to declines in these functions. Nevertheless, studies have demonstrated that regular meditation can actually boost grey matter volume, effectively reversing our biological age.
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