Paula van de Nes, MSc, PhD’s Post

How do you view aging? It turns out a positive mindset about aging can have the same impact on your longevity as quitting smoking or losing weight.   At Alignment, we believe aging offers new adventures and the chance to embrace life's unique moments. We hope you see it that way, too.   Check out this article in TIME that explores the myths and mindsets of aging: https://lnkd.in/dzwSB6MZ   #aging #longevity #agingwell

"𝐾𝑖𝑑𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑎 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑦 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑. 𝐴𝑠 𝑤𝑒 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑒𝑟, 𝑤𝑒 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑤𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟. 𝑊ℎ𝑦? 𝑊𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑦 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤. 𝑂𝑟 𝑤𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑘 𝑤𝑒 𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤. 𝑂𝑟 𝑤𝑒 𝑑𝑜𝑛'𝑡 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑜𝑟 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑡𝑜 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛" - Jean Marie DiGiovanna I don't know about you, but I sometimes wonder why I'm NOT bombarded with questions. Why more people don't ask me... 🌟 About how they can improve their health 🌟 About how to become stronger and reduce their risk of injury 🌟 About how to improve their cardiovascular fitness 🌟 About what I've learned that they would like to know - from a lifetime of study, work, and practical experience in the areas of health and fitness, longevity, and healthspan, among many other topics. I think the answer is...𝒘𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒘𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘. Do you agree❓ Walt Whitman said, "𝑏𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑜𝑢𝑠, 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑗𝑢𝑑𝑔𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙." I don't know about you, but I think he had the right idea. I believe we'd all benefit and grow more if we were... 👉 more childlike, 👉 were bolder and willing to ask questions rather than assume we already know it, 👉 and were truly willing to open our minds and learn. Do you agree❓ What thoughts do you have❓ Let's chat about it in the comments. 😊 #aging #healthspan #curiosity #childlike

The Age Paradox: Your Mind's Perception of Aging explores how our mental outlook can influence the way we experience aging. Learn more at:

The Age Paradox: Your Mind's Perception of Aging explores how our mental outlook can influence the way we experience aging. Learn more at:

It's been drummed into our head for a very long time that we should hit 10,000 steps a day in order to help us live a long and healthy life. But would it surprise you to find out that 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day will do the trick? Some research has found; "For adults aged 60 and older, this reduced risk topped out at around 6,000 to 8,000 steps a day. Pushing further might have other benefits, but a reduced chance of death isn't one.". The authors went on to add however that adding some high intensity and strength training would be beneficial to support our brain health and maintaing muscle mass. And as for where that 10,000 steps came from? It was a marketing strategy to sell a pedometer named 'Manpo-kei' – a Japanese word that translates into 10,000 steps. https://lnkd.in/e3rDZ4_V #babyboomers #boomers #aging #longevity #walking #exercise #10000steps

Is Your Screen Time Affecting Your Brain? 🧠 Did you know that excessive screen time—more than 4 hours a day—has been linked to a higher risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease? A major study published in 2023 analyzed over 462,000 participants and found that extended periods of screen-based sedentary activities can lead to physical changes in the brain, impacting memory, cognitive function, and even mood. Symptoms of what’s being termed “digital dementia” include 🛑Short-term memory problems 🛑Difficulty recalling words 🛑Trouble multitasking This isn’t just about managing screen time—it's about protecting our long-term brain health. To maintain a healthy mind, consider: - Taking regular breaks from screens - Engaging in physical activity - Prioritizing face-to-face interactions - Getting enough sleep Let’s be mindful of our digital habits and prioritize our mental well-being. Share your tips on how you manage screen time in the comments below! #BrainHealth #DigitalDementia #MentalWellness #CognitiveHealth #ScreenTime #AlzheimersAwareness #WorkLifeBalance #HealthTech #science #research #health #wellness #lifestyle #awareness #alzheimers #cognitive #goal #mindfulness #mindful #mindset

Aging is often seen as a decline—a time when we’re told to slow down, take it easy, and accept that we’re not the vibrant individuals we once were. But what if that narrative is all wrong? What if, instead of slowing down, you could grow stronger, more resilient, and more alive with every passing year? One morning, I had one of the most intense training sessions of my life. The things I did with a kettlebell, a medicine ball, and push-ups are things a younger version of me could only dream of doing. Aging isn’t about deteriorating; it’s about evolving and continuing to grow. It’s about rejecting the notion that we’re falling apart and embracing the idea that we’re just getting started. Yes, your body may change, but it doesn’t have to mean weakness. By focusing on what nourishes your body, mind, and spirit—not just what’s prescribed in a lab—you can stay strong, vital, and full of life. If you’re tired of the old story about aging and want to explore new ways to stay balanced, resilient, and empowered as you grow older, I invite you to join our "Welcome to Humanity" community. Together, we’ll navigate the craziness of life and embrace the incredible possibilities that come with each new chapter. Join us today and discover the fun, easy, and effective tools to keep your life steady in these crazy times. Click here to become a part of our online community: https://lnkd.in/g2QjEhBC #AgingGracefully #HealthyAging #StayStrong #Resilience #WellnessJourney #MentalWellbeing #PersonalGrowth #HealthyMindHealthyBody #BalanceInLife #JoinOurCommunity

Check out this excellent article by Healthline regarding the habits we get into, and how we can go about re-wiring our brains. Just because we have always done something a certain way doesn't mean that we have to continue doing so, especially if that behavior is harmful to us and/or those around us. Healing and change our possible! 🧠💖 #OklahomaMentalHealth #adolescentmentalhealth #kidsmentalhealth #changeispossible #healingispossible #breakinghabits #safetyunderthewillow https://lnkd.in/dN9ViBZE

🧠✨ Keeping your memory sharp as you age is all about taking care of your brain and body. Discover how simple lifestyle changes can help you stay mentally agile for years to come! Read more here: https://lnkd.in/g97d6--D #activeaging #residentengagement

Stress and Aging – A Cautionary Tale 🧠🕒 During this summer, I caught up with a friend whom I hadn’t seen in a couple of years. He looked older, more tired.. I was shocked... in those first 20 seconds I couldn't believe how much we can age so quickly.. He later shared how taking on a massive project with a heavy workload and the responsibility that came with it had taken a toll on his health. Studies show a strong link between stress and accelerated aging, affecting biological age, increasing inflammation, and showing visible effects on the skin. A study published in 2021 in the Translational Psychiatry journal showed a strong relationship between cumulative stress and aging in a healthy population. Persistent stress can affect your biological age, making you age faster. This is what we can do This same study showed that those who practice emotional regulation were able to manage stress and halt the accelerated aging process, while those who didn’t practice at all saw the effects of stress in early signs of aging. It’s not about stopping aging, but about increasing our health span—adding more health to the years we have. Here are some things you can practice 👉 Emotional regulation: - Be aware of your emotions; notice what you feel and how it triggers a response. - Breathe into your heart. Regulating your breathing with an easy in-and-out flow activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps you calm down. - Take it a step further, try to feel a sense of appreciation or calm. Think of a safe place that brings you calm or someone that you appreciate. 👉 Practice protective habits: - Sleep: Focus on creating a nighttime routine that works for you. Sleep allows your brain and body to restore. - Exercise: Move; any type of movement can help mobilize energy around. - Nutrition: Your choice of food affects your insulin and cortisol responses. Supporting your body during periods of stress can help increase your resilience capacity. 👉 Boundaries: - Set boundaries in place that will help you protect your energy. - Have conversations that will reinforce these boundaries. 👉 Mental health: - Rethink what you are tolerating that needs to change. What are better alternatives? - Gratitude can help you feel grounded when you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or demotivated. Let's focus on enhancing our physical and mental well-being. Connect with me to learn more about resilience and performance at work! #StressManagement #Wellbeing #Coherence