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Reverse Aging Through Happiness

Most of us, particular in our society, would love to look younger. In fact, as the world is about to turn its attention to the Academy Awards this weekend--and the endless parade of youth and beauty on display--over the next few days, those of us watching are likely to become even more self-conscious than usual about our own looks and age. Of course, for many celebrities, the "secret" to youth and beauty is good lighting, great makeup (and strategic padding), and probably some great doctors--and all the money, attention, and pain required to look that way.

But what if the secret to turning back aging was much, much simpler? What if all we had to do to unlock the fountain of youth is work on our own inward state of happiness?

A new study, released just released this week (click here for a layman's description), provides startling new proof of just that: depression accelerates the aging process. And getting undepressed--commonly called "happiness"--reverses it.

As anyone who's ever been severely depressed can attest (myself included twenty years ago), depression creates enormous stress in the body. It's almost the very definition of depression: existing in a state of extreme stress. It's that feeling of being under pressure, of heaviness, of possibly breaking apart into pieces and the struggle to hold oneself together. And of course, most depression is accompanied with at least some degree of anxiety.

In turn, the connection between stress and aging is pretty obvious. We only need to look at virtually every president of the United States in the modern era, including Obama: they start out looking younger and vigorous, yet in a few years, they've quickly gone gray. Stress causes other problems: weight gain, dark circles under the eyes, loss of energy, a desire to take care of ourselves. To a degree, I think, when we're depressed, we're subconsciously wanting to age faster, it's a passive way of hastening our deaths--and thereby ending our suffering--that much quicker.

The reverse is also true. An abundance of studies, such as here, here and here (among hundreds), show the numerous benefits of being happy, including that happy people live longer.

Beyond the studies, my own experience confirms this to be true. For example, I know many, many people who live happy, spiritually integrated lives. More than once, I've noticed--and other friends have remarked on--how these people often look as much as 20 years younger than they really are. I've met lots of people in their fifties and sixties who still don't have a line on their faces or much gray in their hair. They could easily pass for their late 30's. And in every case, their secret is that they've spent years getting happy, usually through spiritual practices. It's not even that obvious things like their diets or amount of exercise are so different than most. More than a few of them eat pretty appallingly and don't exercise that much. And, they certainly don't spend thousands on clothing, makeup, beauty cures, or surgery. It's clearly their overall disposition and spiritual outlook that make the difference.

The best thing of all about this approach to reversing aging: it's not just something on the outside, it's something we get to experience and enjoy on the inside. Something that we carry with us and truly benefit from every minute of the day. It's real and lasting, not an illusion or facade for others.

So anytime you find yourself pining to restore some of your "lost" youth, just remind yourself that you, too, can have that--and much better than most. Make a concerted effort to learn authentic strategies and practices for happiness. Not only will you feel better, you'll look younger and probably live longer, too.

Tags: Aging, Depression, Happiness, Research, Scientific

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Comment by Christina Sharp on March 10, 2012 at 6:32pm: I know this is true because when I am negative, I feel sluggish, fat, and ugly. I know that has got to age a person. I feel good when I'm positive. I feel young and energized.

Comment by Tamara Albrithe on March 10, 2012 at 6:24pm: True. Some people who have been cranky most of their lives, it shows on their faces. If they have been cool and calm most of their lives, it also shows.

Comment by Alex Nmenski on March 10, 2012 at 6:05pm: Very true! Being happy makes me feel less stressed, which in turn makes me feel younger. When you feel younger, you look younger. Well known fact! :)

Comment by oklasweetie on March 7, 2012 at 9:45pm: I've been finding myself getting into these negative loops of thinking and I've been much more mindful of it lately and repeating to myself- good stuff happens to me, good stuff happens to me, etc.- instead of letting my brain hash out negativity unhindered. It's really helped my overall mindset, and I have started losing weight too. It's as if holding onto negative thoughts makes you hold on to your fat rolls too. LOL. This site and you have helped me in so many ways. Thank you.

Comment by Ericka on March 5, 2012 at 12:58pm: I could learn from this. I sometimes let the little things of life get me down. I sometimes get too worried and too stressed out about things that just don't matter.

Comment by Greg on March 5, 2012 at 11:59am: This article presents a good argument towards being as happy as possible. This could be incentive for people to want to be treated for depression.

Comment by Juliebean2012 on March 5, 2012 at 1:12am: This is a very interesting concept that you enlightened me with. It does make total sense to me that happier people would be able to slow down aging in their body.

Comment by JessicaH on March 5, 2012 at 12:17am: This seems to make sense to me. Happy people seem to be healthier and seem to live the longest. This is not the first time I had been introduced to this concept.

Comment by Jennifer Dunn on March 1, 2012 at 6:11am: I absolutely love this article. You are so very true. Its all about tapping into what really matters in life and keeping yourself grounded to those values that sustain your inner fountain :) Happy people genuinely DO live longer! I see it every day!

Comment by lena gogol on February 27, 2012 at 3:38am: I think we all knew that depression accelerates the aging process…That’s why we all have to be happy. To reverse the aging process to become younger. :D

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