Factors Beyond Genetics When It Comes to Aging

Among the critical factors influencing the aging process, our genetic heritage is a major one. Obviously, it escapes our control. Yet twins with an identical genetic imprint can age differently which points to the presence of other factors such as lifestyle and life conditions such as climate. Other factors have to do with how we choose to live our lives. Yet these choices are not within the realm of our decision-making so long as we have not become aware of their effects whether they are positive or negative effects.

First, let's consider the many aspects that stem from where we live (dry or humid, hot or cold, temperate or extreme climate), our socioeconomic condition (the time and resources we have to take care of ourselves), our relationships (family and friends), our psychological frame of mind (tendency to worry, fear and anger, tendency to laugh and be merry), diet, exercise routine, socializing habits, and all the personal disciplines we might have or not including how we handle stress (at work and in our private lives).

Some factors have little to do with the amount of free time or disposable income we have. Do you drive when you could walk instead? Do you take the escalator rather than the stairs? Do you take every opportunity you have to stretch, exercise and breathe deeply? Do you take a few minutes, even a few seconds, throughout the day to meditate and to manage your negative emotions when they appear? Do you find reasons to smile and laugh? Can you stay clear of smoking, alcohol (beyond an occasional beer or glass of wine) and recreational drugs?

Smoking is known to be very bad for our health but few realize the particularly dreadful cumulative effect smoking has on skin health and quality. This is because of the specific energetic connection between lungs and skin. It is so much the case that Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to skin as the third lung.