Doctor Lynn is a Naturopath, yoga nutrition therapist, fitness professional, karma master, published author, international speaker and video producer with over 40 years’ experience in the field of natural health and fitness.
So far, science has not found a way to keep us young forever or even extend life. Genetics and lifestyle play crucial roles in the aging process. We have control over our lifestyle, which is a significant factor in staying healthy and slowing aging.
I'm a naturopath, and I have been biohacking long before biohacking was a word. I have practiced naturopathy, the art and science of healthy living, for over forty years. I do not use any fancy method; it is good old common sense. I am a seventy-one-year-old grandmother still teaching spin classes, dance classes, and yoga. At age sixty-five, I competed in the thousand-stair climb. We competed against the LA Fire Department to climb 1000 steps to the top of a high-rise. The firefighters completed the climb in 14 minutes while dressed in full gear. I finished the climb in 16. 3 minutes. Good job for a senior! But I could not have done all this without a holistic health and fitness lifestyle.
Holistic health is not just about physical well-being but also about nurturing the mind and the soul. When all three aspects are in perfect balance, we achieve perfect health. However, finding this balance in a chaotic and stressful world can be challenging. This is where biohacking comes in.
5 natural biohacks to maintain balance, stay healthy, and slow aging
1. Consistency: Continual practice
Karma yoga teaches us that failing to continue a practice is one of our characteristic flaws. Whatever endeavor we choose, we must practice and keep on practicing if we are to succeed. Even great athletes continue to practice, knowing full well that once they stop practicing, they lose their edge. So, one of the secrets to holistic health biohacking is consistently following a healthy lifestyle. Practice, practice, practice, and when you think you got it, practice some more. Holistic health is a lifelong process of consistent, continual practice. In this case, practice a healthy lifestyle, following the three pillars of health: eating a nutritious diet, exercising, and getting plenty of restful sleep. I've been doing it for forty years, so I am still teaching spin, dance, and yoga at seventy-one.
2. Liberation: managing stress
Stress is a part of life and something we cannot avoid. The world is chaotic, noisy, and full of opposition. Stress will age you faster than any other element of life because it weakens the body, scatters the mind, and clouds the soul. How you see the world is based on your thoughts and mental attitude. That is why yoga does not bother with changing the outside world. The focus is an inward process of managing your thoughts and attitudes. As is said in yoga, "As the mind goes, so the person goes; bondage or liberation." Things outside you neither bind nor liberate you; only your attitude towards them does that. When you depart this world, you don't take any of the stress, drama, or problems with you. You take the joy, laughter, and love you gave and received. So, liberate yourself from stress by "not sweating the small stuff," remember, in the big scheme of life, it is all small stuff. If you control your mind, you control everything. This self-control leads to liberation – a great way to manage stress.
3. Self-control
Without self-control, nothing is achieved. There is a yoga affirmation that says, "It is a worthy ambition to aspire to rule if I start by ruling my world." In yoga, to rule means having self-control over our thoughts, words, and actions and then using them in ways that bring no harm to ourselves, others, or the world. When we exercise self-control from a place of flexibility, balance, strength, and peace, we can influence our lives and positively impact others. Rule yourself with balance, flexibility, strength, and peace, and you will build self-control. Then, use the power of self-control to inspire and influence others.
4. Sense of humor
Jimmy Buffett wrote, "If we couldn't all laugh, we would all go insane." Try to imagine a world without laughter. It would be a world void of joy. No matter the culture, the language, or the race, we all love to laugh. Laugh at the world and laugh at yourself, but never laugh to create harm. That kind of laughter will only bring sorrow and tears. Laughter is truly a great medicine and something we all share as human beings. Use laughter to make the world happy, and you will add years of joy to your life.
5. Appreciation
Gratitude is powerful. In its simplest form, gratitude means to appreciate. Gratitude is a transformative emotion that's honored by every culture worldwide. Beyond its cultural and spiritual significance, science tells us that being thankful does affect the body and mind. It has a profound impact on mental, emotional, and physical well-being. It's linked to everything from happiness and life satisfaction to less anxiety and depression.
Appreciation is compelling evidence of the transformative power of gratitude on our mental, emotional, and physical health. As research continues, integrating gratitude practices into daily life is the secret to cultivating a positive and resilient mindset. And a positive and resilient mindset is just the right bio-hack to keep us healthy and fit. Studies have shown that people who find joy and gratitude daily are healthier, live longer, and stay youthfully connected to the world.
We may not have the science yet to improve and extend life, but we do have the tools to hack a healthy and happy present existence. Be consistent, liberate yourself, practice self-control, laugh, and appreciate life. These are the best hacks for living a truly successful life. It counts not how long you live but how well you live. Enjoy the moments because time really does fly!
Dr Lynn Anderson, Naturopath Yoga Therapist Karma Master
Doctor Lynn is a Naturopath, yoga nutrition therapist, fitness professional, karma master, published author, international speaker and video producer with over 40 years’ experience in the field of natural health and fitness. She has been featured in Redbook, Reader’s Digest, Huffington Post, Shape, SELF and various other national publications, TV networks and Podcasts. She is the author and producer of the Soul Walking series; Karma, Prosperity, Vitality and The Naturopathic Wellness Series; The Yoga of Nutrition and Recipes for Health, Sex, Happiness and Love; and Doctor Lynn’s Proactive-Aging Workouts; DVDs and TV with international distribution; CEC author, Burnout – it happens to all of us.
