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Stress ,biological aging and Telomeres

Writer's picture: Deemanthe WeerasuriyaDeemanthe Weerasuriya


You know, it's funny how gray hair can appear when you least expect it, especially if you have black hair. I've been there myself, and my elders used to say that having gray hair at a young age could mean you're going through a tough time.


Is stress really linked to aging and those telltale gray hairs?


Even though it got me wondering back then, there is indeed some scientific research that provides explanations for this phenomenon.


Let me break it down in simple terms. Have you ever heard of telomeres? They’re like the protective tips on your shoelaces, but for your chromosomes. One of their jobs is to help cells divide and keep you ticking. But here’s the catch: every time your cells divide, these telomeres get a little shorter. When they get too short, cells can’t divide anymore, and that’s when aging starts to show, and as cell functions begin to fail, gray hair may appear.


Now, here’s where stress comes into play. Scientists have found that chronic stress can speed up this shortening process. So, if you’re constantly stressed, your telomeres might wear down faster, making you age faster biologically, even if you’re not that old in years.


But here’s the thing, we can’t completely dodge stress in life, right? It’s a part of the package. What we can do is deal with acute stress head-on, purposefully and consciously, so it doesn’t hang around too long and mess with our genes.


And here’s something cool: being there for others during tough times morally can actually help them cope better, and it also makes you feel good about yourself. Our social connections that care for each other can influence the chemical and biological reactions in our bodies, which in turn affect our mental and physical health.


So, next time you meet someone who seems to overreact to life’s challenges, try to understand where they’re coming from. Building deeper connections can help us all deal with stress more effectively.


But if you’re stuck in a never-ending stress situation, it’s a good idea to seek professional help. Chronic stress can seriously mess with your physical and mental well-being, and there’s no shame in getting some expert support.


So what are you planning to do to deal with stress this week?

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