The aging process, despite what many believe, can be slower for those who live a healthy lifestyle. The aging process is actually the sum of many physiological processes that occur in the body over time.

The factors that hasten aging can be stopped by means entirely within the reach of the ordinary person. Something that has proven to be of considerable importance in this regard is fasting and caloric restriction. Two other factors in aging are how we control and deal with stress, and whether we can avoid depression and negativity

The practice of controlling the amounts of calories that are eaten has been seen to prolong life and decrease mortality in humans, monkeys and rats, as well as in other animals. Overeating causes excess calories to be transformed into fats and cholesterol. When there is excess fat in the blood, bodily organs begin to accumulate fatty substances which may prevent them from functioning in the proper way. These organs then begin to break down, and some of them, like the lungs, liver, kidneys, and colon, which are involved in cleansing the body of toxins, lose their ability to function properly.

To combat the negative affects of overeating, fasting and caloric restriction help the body lose weight and temporarily alleviate stress on the digestive system to slow the aging process. Those who fast or practice calorie restriction have been found to have good insulin blood levels and less damage done to their DNA. On the other hand, eating in excess induces a rise in blood sugar, inflammation, and free radicals, all of which serve to exhaust the body’s cells and speed the aging process.

Another important tool in your diet is to make sure you eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, especially those like broccoli, spinach, kale, blueberries, and pomegranates, which are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants combat free radicles, which attack our cells and cause us to age more quickly. You should also take in omega 3 fatty acids either from fish, flax seed, or as a dietary supplement, since Omega 3s help in the rebuilding of cells, fight cancer, and keep you young.

Although extremely important, diet is not the only factor in aging. Reducing stress and increasing your enjoyment of life can make you look and feel younger. Nothing kills us faster than stress. We get stress from our diet in the form of bad foods, stress from our environment in the form of disease and free radicles, and emotional and mental stress from our busy, overpacked lifestyles. Although we cannot avoid stress, we can develop healthy ways to deal with it, and we can minimize it by managing our time, forming and maintaining positive relationships, and getting plenty of rest. Laughing is very effective at reducing stress.

In addition to laughing, getting plenty of sleep, and eating right, there are other ways to deal with stress and get emotional fulfillment. For example, keeping yourself occupied with a pet may improve your life expectancy. Pets have a way of soothing the emotional stress of their masters. Studies have shown that bankers with pets tend to have lower blood pressures when they are stressed than those who do not own a pet. Gardening and caring for plants is also a major stress reliever.

Besides stress and diet, an important cause of aging and bad health is emotional depression. Depression taxes the immune system, making you prone to infections and allergies. That is why thinking positive can not only make you happier, it will make you live longer.

The secret to anti-aging can be found in a healthy lifestyle. By eating right, dealing well with emotional stress, and keeping your thoughts and your mood positive, you can change the way you age. Not only will you decrease the physical signs of aging, you will feel and act younger, healthier, and happier.