People who use stress management techniques like yoga and meditation are more likely to look younger in later life, according to new research.
The study – conducted in the US by Dr Dean Ornish – said that the activities benefit the body by elongating telomeres, which are caps used to protect the end of chromosomes that make sure cells are functioning healthily.
If telomeres are short, then this can result in the chromosomes mutating – which can in turn affect cell functionality in a negative manner.
According to News Medical, Dr Ornish’s research concluded that people who were likely to have a lot of stress in their day-to-day lives were found to have shorter telomeres.
He also found that having shorter telomeres could also result in that person having a shorter lifespan.
However, meditation, yoga and breathing exercises are all quoted as ways to reduce stress – contributing to anti-cellular aging and longer telomeres.
This also means that people who are using these techniques are less likely to have issues sleeping, while they are also generally judged to be happier.
