3 Things That Age You Before Your Time

When my nephew, Jack, was in year one, his school held a Classroom Showcase for family members to see the children in action.  As I didn't know any of the parents, my sister arranged for Liz, the mother of one of Jack's friends, to look out for me. As we entered the classroom, it became apparent there was a shortage of chairs for the hour long session. Without hesitation, I sat on the floor next to Jack. The tiny kid-size table and chair meant we were almost on the same level anyway.  Liz saw me on the floor and said I was brave, as she wasn't confident enough to get down on the floor and then get back up again. She said she wasn't very fit.  I was a little surprised. She didn't appear to have any physical disability, so I wasn't sure why this was such a challenge for her, even if she wasn't "fit". She spent the session alternating between sitting on the edge of her son's desk and standing.  She didn't look very comfortable, which impacted her ability to enjoy this special time with her son.

When I mentioned this to my sister later, she was also surprised, as she knew for a fact that Liz was 41 years old..  While I don't know if there was any underlying reason why Liz couldn't sit on the floor, she was far too young to be limited like this, and it made her appear much older than her years. Let's look at 5 things that can age you before your time and how you can successfully counteract them!

Loss of Strength and Flexibility

Maintaining your muscle mass gives you strength and flexibility that is vital as you age. We start losing muscle mass as early as our mid-30s.  Unless you are taking steps to prevent this, you are going to become like Liz, who can't sit on the floor at 41, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Not being able to sit on the floor means that over time, you could have trouble doing daily activities like putting on your shoes, picking objects up off the floor, and cleaning low cupboards, for example. It also means your health is severely impacted, leaving you at risk of developing osteopenia or osteoporosis and putting you at greater risk of having a fall. It's never too late to turn this around and introduce more movement into your daily life.  Starting with short walks of 5 minutes is ideal, and gradually increasing the length of time up to 20 or 30 minutes daily is enormously beneficial. My unique online Pilates studio is also ideal as I can tailor the exercises to your individual needs so you can overcome pain and improve your strength and flexibility at your own pace. Get used to taking the stairs as opposed to the lift or escalator. Take movement breaks if you are working on a computer. Find ways to incorporate as much movement into your life as you can and you will reap the rewards well into your retirement years.

Not Living With A Pet

If you love animals and don't have a pet, you are denying yourself one of life's great pleasures! As I teach virtually, I get to see so many of my clients' dogs and cats, and I see how special they are to their owners. I was without a cat from 2003 when my beloved Smokey passed away after 15.5 years.. I was heartbroken for a long time and thought no cat could replace him.. It wasn't until May 2011 when my beautiful Jasper was on the streets and chose me to be his cat mum that I realised how miserable I was without a pet for all those years. High cortisol levels lead to faster ageing, but owning a pet can reduce cortisol levels. Studies have shown that petting a dog or cat can lower blood pressure, heart rate, and have a calming effect on your well-being. Pets also provide companionship and reduce loneliness and give you a focus outside yourself.  Walking a dog can provide extra movement, and playing with an active cat is also good exercise. They can also boost mood and combat depression. Recent studies also indicate that owning a pet can protect cognitive health in older adults. As you can see pet ownership really can help prevent you from getting old before your time!

Focussing On Negativity

Thinking negatively can speed up aging by keeping the body in a constant state of stress, which raises cortisol levels and weakens the immune system, making you more vulnerable to illness and slower to heal. It also increases inflammation, a key driver of many age-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Over time, negative thinking can even shorten telomeres—protective parts of your DNA—leading to faster cellular aging and a higher risk of chronic health conditions.  The antidote to negativity is intentionally cultivating a more positive, balanced mindset. Simple practices like daily gratitude, mindfulness, and deep breathing can lower stress hormones, reduce inflammation, and support healthier immune and heart function. Regular movement—especially gentle, mindful exercise like Pilates—helps release feel-good chemicals, improve circulation, and ease physical tension. Surrounding yourself with uplifting people, spending time in nature, and focusing on what is going well trains your brain to shift out of survival mode and into healing mode. Over time, these small mindset shifts can protect your health, boost your energy, and help you age with vitality instead of wear and tear.

If you are ready to make positive changes in your life to overcome pain and age well, email me at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can start 1 on 1 virtual Pilates sessions with me by signing up HERE and we can schedule an appointment time. If you want to work independently join my online Pilates program of on-demand videos which I specifically designed to help you recover from pain or injury  It would be my pleasure to assist you to overcome pain and age well!