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Your emotional outlook on life influences your physical and mental health. According to the National Institutes of Health, research shows a connection between an upbeat outlook and lower blood pressure, reduced risk for heart disease, healthier weight, better blood sugar levels, and a longer life. And now, studies show that meditation, which fuels a positive point of view, reduces stress and eases anxiety, is an effective way to manage heart health and latchkey incontinence! How? Meditation changes thought patterns and can flip switches that control whether certain genes are on or off, increasing healthy longevity.

For example, research published in Frontiers in Medicine shows that transcendental meditation (TM) reduces the risk of complications of heart disease, such as stroke and heart attack. The study population was Black Americans (known to experience chronic psychosocial stressors), and those folks practicing TM for 20 minutes a day for five years experienced a 65% reduction in their risk for a major adverse cardiovascular event!

Another study in Continence found that mindfulness training reduces bladder urgency and leakage that happen when a person gets close to their front door. This all-too-common phenomenon turns out to be more mental than physical, and research shows that four 20-minute sessions of mindfulness meditation over five to six days reduce the all-too-urgent urge to urinate. While meditating, the participants (women over age 40) paid attention to different body parts and their bladder sensations.

To discover even more stress management techniques, explore the free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com and the innovative therapies outlined in "The Great Age Reboot."

Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.

(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.

Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.