Telomere Definition : the natural end of a eukaryotic chromosome composed of a usually repetitive DNA sequence and serving to stabilize the chromosome. (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary)
Our telomeres are negatively affected by stress, but mindfulness can help them last longer.
What’s more, telomeres protect DNA-containing chromosomes against damage that predominantly occurs in every cell division until the telomere gets too short, and the cell can’t divide anymore, thus permanently entering a state of senescence; in other words, cell death.
As the telomerase enzyme links DNA with the protective caps of telomeres, the telomeres’ job is to safeguard the chromosomes and prevent damage to the DNA from oxidative stress through activating telomerase. But eventually, when the telomere deteriorates, it succumbs, as cell division is the most common cause of DNA loss and cell contracting.
Furthermore, mindfulness and meditation techniques have proven successful in the reduction of stress and improvement of general health. In addition, meditation is linked to longevity and longer telomere length, a proposed biomarker of human aging. (Mendioroz et al., 2020)
Our life is only as long as our telomeres
Conversely, telomerase enzyme prevents the length of the DNA from decreasing after replication. Indeed chronic stress causes cell toxicity and shortening of the telomere. When inflammation happens, stress hormones like cortisol is released, resulting in disease symptoms. Consequently, stress is linked to health problems such as osteoporosis, cardiac disease, depression, and more.
Without telomerase activity, these cells would become inactive, stop dividing and eventually die. While the average lifespan of all cells in the human body is about seven years, this is because some cells are highly durable, while other cells are renewed every few days to a few weeks.” (Progencell, 2021)
“Mindfulness is a quality; meditation is a practice.”
While there are many definitions of each concept, the differences are apparent in these two. Meditation is a practice, and through this practice, one can develop different qualities, including mindfulness. (5 Differences Between Mindfulness and Meditation, 2020)
In addition, mindfulness is a type of introspection that offers tranquillity and wellness, a natural solution to stress-laden diseases. Besides improving concentration, memory, and mood, mindfulness has been demonstrated to modulate brain structures over time, including lessening cognitive decline as we age.
Mindfulness and meditation techniques have proven successful for the reduction of stress and improvement of general health. In addition, meditation is linked to longevity and longer telomere length, a proposed biomarker of human aging. (Mendioroz et al., 2020)
Awareness may eventually blossom into profound awakenings so we can extend our life span due to increased telomere expression.
Just 15 minutes a day of clearing your mind can alter your cell's function. A 2017 Harvard Medical School Study showed that after meditating 15 minutes daily for eight weeks, the meditators had changes in 172 genes that control inflammation, sleep-wake rhythms in the body and how sugar processes. (Meditation can change your brain and your genes, n.d.)
In meditation and mindfulness, we enhance our awareness, instilling qualities such as kindness and compassion.
In conclusion
Therefore meditation and mindfulness protect us from suffering, and we attain wisdom through awareness of the present moment.
Accordingly, mindfulness’s life-changing health and healing benefits are supported by scientific knowledge of consciousness, a state of mind reached by concentrating on the present moment. It calms stress, relieves pain, increases energy, decreases blood pressure, and aids digestion and detoxification.
Consequently, research on mindfulness shows a remarkable ability to eliminate automatic self-destructive habits through establishing a consistent meditation practice where we can become aware of repetitive patterns of self-destructive behaviors and thoughts, thus transforming the wandering and malingering beliefs into coherent ideas which can help us develop intuitive abilities, concentration, and control over our thoughts.
Lastly, a positive mindset is linked to increased telomere growth. Furthermore, positive thinking fosters a better attitude and an optimistic outlook, enabling us to live a healthier lifestyle conducive to developing the telomere ecosystem, resulting in a longer lifespan.
Works Cited
5 Differences Between Mindfulness and Meditation. https://positivepsychology.com › di…Jul 24, 2020.
Does the body replace itself every seven years? — https://progencell.com › blog › doe…Progencell February 15, 2021. https://progencell.com ›, n.d.
Mendioroz, M., Puebla-Guedea, M., Montero-Marín, J., Urdánoz-Casado, A., Blanco-Luquin, I., Roldán, M., Labarga, A., & García-Campayo, J. (2020). Telomere length correlates with subtelomeric DNA methylation in long-term mindfulness practitioners (Vol. 10, Issue 1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
Meditation can change your brain and your genes. (n.d.). Meditation can change your brain and your genes. (n.d.).org › …
Meditation Can Change Your Brain And Your Genes — Community Medical Centers
“telomeres.” Merriam-Webster.com. 2023. https://www.merriam-webster.com (1, 1, 2023)
