I just watched a great TED Talk: “The Oldest Dogs as Our Greatest Teachers.” Researcher David Waters wanted to find out what we could learn about aging from studying the oldest dogs in the world. He says he found they had an “adaptive secret.” NONE had elevated cortisol levels, and 40% had LOW cortisol levels. Their owners found it difficult to think of things that stressed their dogs.
As I have posted about before, massage has been shown to reduce cortisol levels. It seems that if we want to be healthy and age well, it is increasingly important to prioritize managing our stress levels. Waters also said, “Life is not a sprint.” So let’s look at it more like a marathon, and try to pace ourselves for a long, healthy, happy journey…
Lessons on Aging from the Oldest Dogs in the World