Question:
Hi Heather! I Googled the source (Elissa S. Epel, PhD, UCSF) and found an article which may have provided the literary sound bite in the March 2005 issue of Harper’s Index: ______________________ Study: Stress May Promote Aging of Cells A new study helps to explain how chronic stress can lead to premature aging… From the PNAS: Chronic psychological stress is associated with accelerated shortening of the caps, called telomeres, on the ends of chromosomes in white blood cells — and thus hasten their demise — according to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Telomeres promote chromosome stability, Dr. Elissa S. Epel at the University of California, San Francisco, and her colleagues explain. Telomeres shorten with each replication of the cell, and cells cease dividing when telomeres shorten sufficiently. The team investigated the theory that psychological stress affects telomere shortening and thereby contributes to accelerated aging. Their study included 39 healthy, premenopausal women who were primary caregivers for a child with a chronic illness, and 19 age-matched mothers of healthy children who served as a comparison "control" group. Stress was measured with a standardized questionnaire, and telomere length was measured in participants’ blood samples. Within the caregiving group, the longer that a woman had been a caregiver, the shorter was the length of telomeres. In the 14 women with the highest stress scores, telomeres averaged 3,110 units in length; the 14 with the lowest stress had telomeres that averaged 3,660 units. In adults, telomeres shorten by an average of 31 to 63 units per year, so the scientists estimate that the 550-unit shortening in the high-stress group translates to 9 to 17 additional years of aging. These findings may have implications for human health, co-author Dr. Elizabeth H. Blackburn, also at UCSF, told Reuters Health, since telomere shortening is associated with premature death from cardiovascular disease and infections. While the number of years that mothers had been a caregiver did matter, "not all caregivers fell into the high-stress group," she added. "This points to the importance of trying to use stress reduction interventions as much as possible." Dave
Response:
"Dave aka Rex" <Dave_aka_…@webtv.net> wrote in message news:14469-42274E61-115@storefull-3157.bay.webtv.net… > Did anyone see that item regarding the effects of stress, specifically > concerning women, in the new Harper’s magazine Index feature? It > mentioned that living with stress ages women 12 years more than > otherwise. Yikes! > Don’t know what effect stress has on men, but I try to minimize stress > by getting occasional massages, meditating, daily walking, and doing > breathing exercises. Also, I’ve got a massage chair that’s pretty > comfortable. What do you do to combat stress? > Dave
I think the effects of stress like smoking, too much alcohol, drugs, & overeating makes us age more than normal. As for smoking, sometimes I look after people in their eighties with such beautiful skin who are non-smokers. Smoking inhibits the intake of oxygen which has disastrous adverse effects on the body, as I see everyday on the ward. Some doctors reckon up to 20% of health problems are directly related to smoking. I realise it is the most difficult thing in the world to do, but the best way to combat stress is to live a healthy life with plenty of exercise. Oh choosing our parents before we are born helps too—-(-: cheers pugs
Response:
"Dave aka Rex" <Dave_aka_…@webtv.net> wrote in message news:14469-42274E61-115@storefull-3157.bay.webtv.net… > Did anyone see that item regarding the effects of stress, specifically > concerning women, in the new Harper’s magazine Index feature? It > mentioned that living with stress ages women 12 years more than > otherwise. Yikes! > Don’t know what effect stress has on men, but I try to minimize stress > by getting occasional massages, meditating, daily walking, and doing > breathing exercises. Also, I’ve got a massage chair that’s pretty > comfortable. What do you do to combat stress? > Dave
I like to put my music on and lift weights. When I’m in my workout room, using the machines and listening to my favorite music, I’m at my most relaxed. After pumping iron I like to do a yoga like stretching routine. Also, playing with my grandsons relax me. :) And petting Gracie too. td – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –
Response:
meditate. about 2 hours a day. 4-fold breathing, herbs for relaxation, (passionflower, catnip, scullcap, valerian, etc.) kat "Dave aka Rex" <Dave_aka_…@webtv.net> wrote in message news:14469-42274E61-115@storefull-3157.bay.webtv.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Did anyone see that item regarding the effects of stress, specifically > concerning women, in the new Harper’s magazine Index feature? It > mentioned that living with stress ages women 12 years more than > otherwise. Yikes! > Don’t know what effect stress has on men, but I try to minimize stress > by getting occasional massages, meditating, daily walking, and doing > breathing exercises. Also, I’ve got a massage chair that’s pretty > comfortable. What do you do to combat stress? > Dave
Response:
those are good ones–i use music too, and my animals, anything to do with them, always helps calm me. kat "tiny dancer" <tinydan…@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:GiMVd.144$c72.142@bignews3.bellsouth.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> "Dave aka Rex" <Dave_aka_…@webtv.net> wrote in message > news:14469-42274E61-115@storefull-3157.bay.webtv.net… > > Did anyone see that item regarding the effects of stress, specifically > > concerning women, in the new Harper’s magazine Index feature? It > > mentioned that living with stress ages women 12 years more than > > otherwise. Yikes! > > Don’t know what effect stress has on men, but I try to minimize stress > > by getting occasional massages, meditating, daily walking, and doing > > breathing exercises. Also, I’ve got a massage chair that’s pretty > > comfortable. What do you do to combat stress? > > Dave > I like to put my music on and lift weights. When I’m in my workout room, > using the machines and listening to my favorite music, I’m at my most > relaxed. After pumping iron I like to do a yoga like stretching routine. > Also, playing with my grandsons relax me. :) And petting Gracie too. > td
Response:
Did anyone see that item regarding the effects of stress, specifically concerning women, in the new Harper’s magazine Index feature? It mentioned that living with stress ages women 12 years more than otherwise. Yikes! Don’t know what effect stress has on men, but I try to minimize stress by getting occasional massages, meditating, daily walking, and doing breathing exercises. Also, I’ve got a massage chair that’s pretty comfortable. What do you do to combat stress? Dave
Response:
Hello Dave, First let me thank you for posting some really useful and interesting topics on this list. I am very interested in that article on stress and going to look for it. Interestingly I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine who suffers from all kinds of illnesses including severe diabetes and extremely high blood pressure. She was questioning why she would have such serious health problems given the fact that she has always eaten a very health conscious diet, has only smoked minimally in her younger years and rarely ever drinks and then only the occasionally glass of wine. However, she acknowledges that her life has been filled with stress. She raised 5 children (two sets of twins!!!!) literally on her own after her husband abandoned them and put herself through university for a degree in social work while doing it. Over the years her family has had many crises all adding to her stress. As well, she ran a therapeutic group home for over 17 years and I don’t need to tell you how stressful that must have been. After doing some research she came the conclusion that stress has to be one of the primary contributing reasons for her health problems. For myself, having been diagnosed with complex PTSD and recognizing the stress that I have had to live my life with since I was a very young child I wonder as well what my health will be like as I get older. I try to find ways to relax. I walk about two hours a day. I find watching movies a great form of relaxation, as well as listening to music and of course my primary soother is spending time with my dog. Being around people does not relax me in the least so I tend to try to get away from people to recharge my batteries. I think that doctors have not really put enough emphasis on the effects of stress on health and would like to see it talked about more. Thanks again Dave Heather "Dave aka Rex" <Dave_aka_…@webtv.net> wrote in message news:14469-42274E61-115@storefull-3157.bay.webtv.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Did anyone see that item regarding the effects of stress, specifically > concerning women, in the new Harper’s magazine Index feature? It > mentioned that living with stress ages women 12 years more than > otherwise. Yikes! > Don’t know what effect stress has on men, but I try to minimize stress > by getting occasional massages, meditating, daily walking, and doing > breathing exercises. Also, I’ve got a massage chair that’s pretty > comfortable. What do you do to combat stress? > Dave
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.