Ever noticed that people who are into spirituality tend to look younger, almost without trying?
Though there is no direct correlation between spirituality and looking younger (at least not scientifically — and I doubt we will ever get proof of that from science), the two seem to be related.
Why? I believe it has to do with a change in mindset as well as physical changes that happen naturally after a spiritual awakening, or being more spiritual in general.
I’ll share my thoughts in this post — what spirituality is, examples of spiritual practices, and the four reasons spiritual people tend to look younger.
What is spirituality?
Ultimately, there is no standard definition. Which is kind of a good thing.
For some, the term “spirituality” refers to asceticism. Others see spirituality as a path toward a higher level of consciousness and awareness.
Others think spirituality is the ability to connect with other dimensions, or to be able to reach a certain mental state.
In general, we can say that spirituality is the practice of focusing one’s energy on the invisible, intangible world.
Spiritual people deliberately invest their energy to discover and get in touch with things that are intangible (rather than the material world).
For example, a spiritual person may have the goal of reaching higher levels of joy and self-awareness through meditation.
They may have the spiritual goal of knowing their ultimate purpose, aim, or mission, while they are here on this planet.
Or, they may focus their energy to connect with the universe, or God. Which leads us to a key point…
Spirituality ≠ Religion
All religious people are spiritual (that is, if they take their religion seriously). Not all spiritual people are religious.
This is because spirituality itself does not need a structure, or set of beliefs. Spirituality does not imply or require faith, either.
You can think of religions as a series of beliefs and practices that have the purpose of getting in touch with the spiritual world, as well as God.
Spirituality itself is much broader. Which is why it’s even more difficult to come up with a standard definition of it.
Many see spirituality and religion as the same thing, but it’s a mistake. You don’t have to be religious to be spiritual.
Examples of spiritual practices
- Meditation. Something so simple yet so powerful as sitting and observing your own mind has been practiced for literally thousands of years, and in many different ways. Think of spirituality, and meditation comes to mind (no pun intended).
- Prayer. Again: there is no need to identify with a specific religion to do this. Prayer can be a way to find the time to reflect, meditate, or ask the universe for what you want through questions or affirmations. And it works whether you believe in something greater or not.
- Hermit mode. A period of solitude, be it a day or a week or longer, can instantly improve your spiritual life and turn you into a much more conscious individual. This is because hermit mode allows you to break the pattern of habits, to reflect on what’s important without the constant flow of distractions.
- Journaling. You have thousands of thoughts every day. Most of them are totally useless, at best. A small percentage of your thoughts, however, can be enlightening if you take the time to reflect on them. Journaling is the easiest way to do so.
- Nature. Turn off your phone. Turn off your mind. And spend a few hours in nature — take a walk in the woods, sit and contemplate the sky, look at the trees, listen to the wind. Can you feel the positive energy? Absorb it; let it nurture your soul.
- Reading. Books on psychology, philosophy, and spirituality will show you things your intuition probably reached already yet did not know how. And eventually you’ll find some real gems — books, or concepts explained in a book — that can literally change your life, not just spiritually.
Why spirituality can make you look younger
1. Relaxation
The body of the average person is in a constant state of tension. They don’t know, but that’s what happens in their body.
The amount of tension depends on factors including stress, diet, posture, sleep quality, and way of thinking.
Take someone who is constantly stressed out and relies on coffee or stimulants to function: that probably leads to a lot of tension.
The higher the levels of stress and tension, the older you will look.
If you don’t believe it, pause for a second and contract the muscles of your cheeks and forehead, on purpose, in front of a mirror.
Then, do your best to relax all your facial muscles, as much as possible. See the difference?
Spirituality naturally leads to relaxation and letting go of worry and unnecessary stress.
Though spiritual people do that primarily for their mental well being, looking younger is a nice bonus.
2. Non-identification
Specifically, not being identified with social constructs and conventions, stereotypes, or rules written by someone else.
Surprisingly, this can affect the way you look as well. Often in a positive way.
Take your legal age, for example. If you identify with it (that is, if you let it define who you are, if you consider it to be important), you will tend to look that age.
It’s not just the way you dress. Think of your behavior, the people you connect with, your habits, your outlook in life, etc.
Spiritual people tend to detach from everyone else’s world, and that’s why some lose friends after a spiritual awakening.
Spirituality makes you see the world through your own lenses. It makes you question everything.
To the point where you no longer identify with things that are fake, that mean nothing to you.
Now, the concept of time and age is definitely helpful. But you want to use it, rather than identify with it.
3. Health consciousness
You don’t need to turn into an ascetic vegan to cultivate spirituality. You definitely don’t.
That being said, one of the main aims of spirituality is to bring you to a higher level of awareness, consciousness, and clarity.
Once that happens, you’re going to find it very difficult to eat junk food or engage in unhealthy habits in general.
Those who are into spirituality tend to make healthier choices spontaneously, simply because of their awareness and the importance they attribute to well being.
Examples: eating food that actually nourishes the body, reducing unnecessary stress and stressful thoughts, and making sleep a priority.
Which can only make you look younger rather than older than your actual age. It’s not spirituality itself, but the natural consequences of it.
4. The biological clock
When we think of anti-aging, we think of expensive creams and serums, skin treatments, and sun protection.
Basically, anything related to our skin. Which is important, but that’s only part of the equation. What about internal aging?
This refers to our own biological clock and our own ability to make it go faster or slower depending on physical and psychological factors.
Take fasting. It’s a fairly common spiritual practice, and it’s been shown to slow down our biological clock and aging in general. Whether it’s fasting or intermittent fasting.
Add to that mindfulness and the tendency to embrace slow living, to be in the present moment, and you can see how spiritual people could actually age slower.
Time itself is relative. My definition of “a long time” probably doesn’t match yours.
What if spirituality could also change our perception of time, and that, in turn, could help us age a little bit slower?
