Aging Fast
By Loretta
@noni1959 (10104)
United States
September 2, 2023 1:42pm CST
Quite a bit has gone on in my life over the last years with an escalation over the last two. I don't talk about some of them but I can tell you my body has aged in the last few months.
According to ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, people that have chronic stress age rapidly. Telomeres in cells shorten faster. It also contributes to hypertension, diabetes, and other tissue damage.
Chronic psychological stress can accelerate aging. It can cause inflammation and that causes even more than the average inflammation arthritis can cause. It's one reason my pain levels can go to the extreme.
The article is long and there is so much information, way too much to summarize here. I know I have to get a handle on mine as I looked in the mirror this morning and saw I have aged "YEARS" in the last five months.
One thing I'd like to point out is telling someone to stop stressing is dismissive and makes it seem the person is stressing for no reason and on purpose. Life events can bring about extreme and you can't just turn it off when someone tells you to.
I try to go for walks in nature and go near water. Water is calming to me although a temp fix.
How do you handle your stress levels?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7400286/
14 people like this
12 responses
@DaddyEvil (137487)
• United States
2 Sep 23
Most of the time I simply ignore things that are causing me stress. Sometimes I have to actually do something about them. *shrug* Most people and things aren't worth stressing over.
I'm planning on taking a trip sometime this month. We shall see.
4 people like this
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
7 Sep 23
@DaddyEvil I hope yo get to go on your trip. Some stressors are pretty intense. I have one but I am taking steps to take care of it.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137487)
• United States
7 Sep 23
@noni1959 A friend in the Northern part of Missouri invited us to visit her for a week towards the end of the month. It sounds nice to both of us.
I hope everything goes well for you. Good luck.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (38570)
•
7 Sep 23
@DaddyEvil
I am sure you could use a break, and a getaway sounds very nice, DE.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168163)
• Boise, Idaho
3 Sep 23
Stress is no fun. I'm thankful I learned over the years some ways to handle my stress. I was diagnosed with major depression with panic attacks in the early 2000s. Also had PTSD for years. I have been working on ways to keep my stress level down and I also am trying to be positive about life which helps. I was surprised to learn some of the symptoms of depression too. diminishing other's pain is really mean and sure doesn't help. What I found was that people who don't have these problems are so dismissive and just don't even try to understand. I lived with a man way too long that was that way. I hope you have a good support system. I think that is very important. Walks in nature are wonderful too. I hope the things you are doing are very helpful and that you find more ways that help.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (168163)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Sep 23
@noni1959 ........Since all the drama in my life has slowed down I am able to be more positive.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
7 Sep 23
@celticeagle I hope you continue to work on positivity. It's not easy for sure. I have a couple good friends and a few others we share our lives and listen. Some things, I keep in while working on it.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
11 Sep 23
@celticeagle That's wonderful. I'm adding positive to my life daily and trying to wake with the thought it will be a great day.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90294)
• Arvada, Colorado
3 Sep 23
I am sorry for all that has happened to you Loretta.
I try not to think on the negatives, but it cant be helped at times.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90294)
• Arvada, Colorado
7 Sep 23
@noni1959 True we have to face some things.
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@RebeccasFarm (90294)
• Arvada, Colorado
11 Sep 23
@noni1959 Oh I am sorry Loretta..I wish you were not scared my friend. Here for you.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
7 Sep 23
@RebeccasFarm I try to push through but some things can't just be pushed aside. They have to play out and steps be worked.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
11 Sep 23
@LadyDuck That's so nice. I don't have anyone that will walk with me right now. I've met a few people since moving here but their schedules are different. I go alone. This morning I walked around the RV park before my son came and picked me up. It was really nice out.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Sep 23
Drinking heavily relieves my stress!
Haha just kidding. That’s not a productive way to deal with stress, or anything else for that matter.
Nature always relieves stress for me. That’s one of the reasons I am such an outdoor enthusiast, and do so much camping and hiking. The serenity does wonders for my soul.
Also—believe it or not—being on myLot also helps me relieve stress.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
14 Sep 23
@noni1959 I hate taking pain pills too. After my knee surgery, they prescribed me pain pills and I told them no thanks. I did my entire recovery and physical therapy without taking a single pill. Not even Tylenol or Advil.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121659)
• Gainesville, Florida
20 Sep 23
@noni1959 I will certainly take pain meds if I hurt bad enough to need them, but I try to avoid them if I feel I can function okay without them.
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
17 Sep 23
@moffittjc That's awesome. I have severe psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing Spondylitis, and osteoarthritis so do pop a Tylenol or Aleve/Advil daily.
1 person likes this
@much2say (55908)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Sep 23
I do believe all that. This past year was so immensely stressful . . . I can literally see and feel the toll it has taken on me. It's only been recent that some of the stresses have been relieved here but the rest is ongoing work . . . like you said one can't just turn it off. For me, I try to take the negative energy and turn it into positive motivation to get some goals accomplished - in other words, just stay super busy/productive.1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50604)
• United States
2 Sep 23
I find that pleasant smells, music, exercise and eating healthy help. Talking to a friend or loved one helps too.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
7 Sep 23
@Tampa_girl7 I like to smell flowers and they are calming. Jasmine and Hyacinth are my favorite fragrances with flowers.
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@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
11 Sep 23
@Tampa_girl7 I love how fragrant they are. Carnations are favorites too.
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@noni1959 (10104)
• United States
2 Sep 23
Thank you. I moved to an area that is much warmer and not many trees but it's finally cooling off to the low 80's. Walking the river behind my son's yesterday helped a lot. I think I'll get off here and go for a drive. There is a place called gravity hill I want to check out.
2 people like this
