Everybody has negative moods sometimes, such as resentment, dissatisfaction, etc. Usually, they disappear soon, but if you are frequently in such moods or hold onto them for a long time, wrinkles will quickly develop on your face and make you look old.
Why resentment and anger make you look old
Have you noticed that when you are in a mood of resentment or anger, the muscles on your face become rigid? When you have to force a smile when necessary, the muscle that usually raises the eyebrow also shrinks, so the facial expression looks downward, making you look old. If you are frequently in such moods, you not only look old, but also hasten the aging process.
Dr. Lobsang, director of the Dr. Lobsang Preventive Medicine Group and an expert in preventive medicine, points out that clinically, patients who are resentful usually look older than their peers of the same age, especially those over 60. Whether you smile frequently or are always resentful makes a difference in your face’s appearance and the number of wrinkles.
Anger, panic, anxiety, vengeance, stress, and irritability follow when you are resentful. Dr. Lobsang points out that as negative moods accumulate over a long period, the autonomic nervous system will gradually malfunction and cause many physical problems.
The autonomic nervous system includes sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves that spread over the organs in the whole body. Once the sympathetic nerves malfunction, then sleeping, gastrointestinal, and metabolic problems will occur. A lack of sleep leads to inadequate digestion and metabolism, and the body’s ability to repair itself is decreased. Consequently, muscles gradually wane, collagen regeneration worsens, and the skin becomes dark, which induces wrinkles and bags under the eyes. The flexibility and water retention of the skin also worsen, making your face appear old.
Additionally, resentment and anger trigger the sympathetic nerves to release more stress hormones (cortisol). Excessive cortisol inhibits hair growth and the secretion of DHEA, a precursor of sex hormones, and, on a long-term basis, speeds up the aging of your appearance.
Lobsang said obvious differences in outlook induced by moods could be observed in 10 years. In addition to making you look older, negative moods also cause skin diseases. Skin is the largest organ of the human body. It includes the epidermis, dermis, hair, nails, etc. It is closely related to emotions. Moods such as anger, nervousness, anxiety, and fear will make the skin turn red, white, sweaty, or itchy, etc.
A study in Italy in 2020 disclosed that those who had skin diseases often had related psychological problems. Hatred or disgust was highly associated with psoriasis, while anger was related to psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, hives, erythema, chronic spontaneous hives, acne, and vitiligo.
Anger is a poison that will shorten your life
Lobsang stresses: “In preventive medicine, the mind dominates. The toxin of the mind is the most poisonous.” Resentment was so poisonous that those who were resentful not only looked older, but also developed cancer more easily. Science supports this view. Telomeres at the end of each DNA strand are the protective caps of DNA. Each fission of the cell will shorten the telomeres a little bit. When they cannot be any shorter, the cell will die.
Another study disclosed that those who were cynical or hostile had shorter telomeres than others. The association between hostility and diseases was more outstanding in men than in women. Another study in 2017 disclosed that those who were cynical had a much higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and strokes. The mortality rate was also higher. Lobsang comments that only by changing your moods to be optimistic and pleasant can the sympathetic nerves stay balanced and function normally. Those who always smiled had younger faces and tighter skin.
Cast away resentment, and your physical age and outlook will appear younger, too!
The writer of this story is not a medical professional, and the information that is in this story has been collected from reliable sources — and every precaution has been taken to ensure its accuracy. The information provided is for general information purposes only, and should not be substituted for professional health care.
Translated by Audrey Wang
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