2023-06-11 18:02:59
Have you ever met someone who looks younger than they really are? That seems like a universal experience, but experts now have an explanation for it. For example, in addition to their own biological clock, everyone also has a so-called ‘epigenetic’ age. Based on our DNA, it tells us how old our body and mind really are. And you also control that epigenetic clock yourself!
Our ‘epigenetic clock’ indicates the actual age of our cells, tissues and organs. It would be more reliable than the age stated on your passport. You will get older anyway, because we cannot stop time and genetic factors cannot be changed. On the other hand, you can check your ‘epigenetic’ age yourself. According to experts, it all has to do with lifestyle choices. Your behavior and habits can speed up or slow down your aging process. But how?
Movement and rest
Anything that starts with “too” is no good and that includes exercise. Researchers point out that both too little and too much exercise accelerate aging. In fact, studies have shown that people who exercise a lot during their work, such as manual workers, age faster than people who exercise in their spare time. For the right amount you have to enjoy exercise: relaxed sports!
In addition, your body must get enough rest to recover and stay young. A good night’s sleep is important for this. If you don’t sleep enough, your stress level will increase, and stress actually causes your body to age faster.
Heart rate monitors help you with that
To keep all these different influences under control, your smartwatch or sports watch can help. Fifty years ago, Polar was the first company to introduce a watch with a heart rate monitor. In the meantime, numerous wearables help you keep track of your movement, rest and heart rate. They then convert that data into personal guidance, with which you stay healthy and young.
«People who ‘track’ their daily movements with a watch find out which form of exercise they can easily maintain. This reduces their risk of age-related diseases,” explains Raija Laukkanen from Polar. «Heart rate is the only reliable indicator to measure stress. With a heart rate monitor, people can get a handle on situations that cause stress and reduce it.”
#epigenetic #age #tells #young