Journal of Aging Science

Stress Check: How Cultural Stress Is Impacting Health and Longevity, and What We Can Do About It

Howard Murad^* Department of Dermatology , University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
^*Correspondence: Dr. Howard Murad, Department of Dermatology , University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA, Email:

Received: 19-Nov-2019 Published: 17-Dec-2019

Commentary

Our phones recognize our face shapes better than our friends. Digital consumption is replacing human touch. Even when we’re together, we are texting rather than talking. If personal connection was classified as a sustainable resource, we could hypothesize that it is non-renewable and fleeting-fast.

How is it that, in this age of being more connected than ever, we are at our loneliest? Advances in technology, enhanced screen time, and digital interconnectedness have collectively created a false sense of connection and a new type of stress: Cultural Stress (CS) and its pervasive, recognizable syndrome classified as Cultural Stress Anxiety Syndrome (CSAS).

Cultural Stress is defined as the stress of modern-day living. Perpetual distraction, time deprivation, anxiety, comparison, self-criticism, and constant access are a few examples of how incredible technological advances have brought on this new form of stress. Unlike the fight-or-flight response, Cultural Stress is the man-made, unnecessary, and chronic reaction to our evolving environment. Its indicators include isolation, loneliness, anxiety, sedentary lifestyles, and depression that overlap and enhance each other [1].

CSAS is the new normal, and preliminary research reveals that it is encouraging health declines and may hasten senescence in adult populations. Research demonstrates that people with a low social interaction are shown to live an average of 5.4 years younger than their highly social counterparts [2]. As the world becomes more connected than ever because of technology, it is probable that stress sources and symptoms like loneliness and isolation will only increase and symptoms in patients will multiply.

The relationship between stress and health has not clearly been established and is further challenged by unique variables including socio-economic status, multidimensionality of influences, and personality. And, a lack of patient awareness of CSAS combined with limited medical treatments and solutions that function in silos may not be modern enough to help people cope with CSAS. Furthermore, there is little research or literature that shows any measurement data related to programs or multidisciplinary interventions designed to counteract CS and its impact on whole- person health.

Inspired by an independent Inclusive Health Study on 100 patients that demonstrated an increase in happiness, positivity, and greater stress management as part of an Inclusive Health program (internal care, external care and emotional care), a pilot study on Cultural Stress Anxiety Syndrome and its implications on aging, gene expression and treatment strategies was initiated. The goal: to explore the benefits of an all-encompassing, inclusive health protocol to treat the multiple foundations of CSAS.

The pilot study was aimed at adult patients (less than 55 years of age). In the study, six female patients between the ages of 46 and 53 underwent a 24-week program to reduce CSAS and improve health, wellness and explore treatments that may slow related degenerative cell aging processes. General health parameters were collected throughout the study by personnel as well as patient self-assessment. Global gene expression analysis was carried out using Affymetrix microarrays to identify gene expression changes correlated with improved health outcomes because of the program.

To disarm the root causes of CSAS, the patients were asked to replace computer use, TV watching, commuting, and noise pollution (to name a few) with our three pronged, multidisciplinary Inclusive Health approach. The foundation of the treatment protocol: to create the best cellular health possible via the cellular water principle theory. Expanding on Nagy’s theory that intracellular water (ICW) loss affects cell health [3], we believe that restoring ICW to cells through a multi-disciplinary approach of internal, external, and emotional care can help reduce and even correct damage in organs and tissues [4].

Internal care

• Nutritional guidance

• Eat a water-rich, low-acid diet

• Limit processed food intake

• Supplement to help with nutritional deficiencies and even sleep

• Engage in preferred method of exercise 2 times a week

External care

• Experience skin-conditioning therapies to improve mind relaxation, including massage and facials every other week

Emotional care

• Join support groups and sign up for new experiences

• Meditate on positive insight cards (life-affirming quotes and statements that encouraged gratitude and optimism) two times a day

• Journal once a day

Patients were also informed on how to determine, reduce and even avoid Cultural Stress triggers by practicing mindfulness, controlling responses to uncontrollable situations, overcoming negative self-talk, exercising, nourishing the body, and getting quality rest.

At the midpoint of the study, patients completed a self-assessment revealing a reduction in overall depression from 33% to 24%. By the end of the study, patients lowered CSAS symptoms and “gene expression examination showed positive results in down-regulation and up-regulation of the genes that influence senescence.” To quote the study, “the women successfully completed the program with various internal, external and emotional improvements.”

Findings

Multi-disciplinary prevention is the best treatment for CSAS. Inclusive treatment for CSAS can produce positive changes in total wellness and may reduce aging. And, treatments that support the multi-disciplinary cellular water principle theory (which aims to fortify cells and connective tissue, increase Intracellular Water (ICW) and boost cellular immunity) and address internal, external, and emotional stress due to CS may be useful to encourage maximal youth in aging patients and stave off age-related cellular degeneration.

Technology isn’t going anywhere-nor should it. We don’t have to go off the grid, further stress ourselves for exceeding our screen time, or shun our cell phones as part of an anti-technology crusade. We simply need to be mindful of managing Cultural Stress that is stimulated by technological connections while connecting with ourselves and each other on a human level. There is a clear, growing need for experimental studies surrounding Cultural Stress and how we can respond, monitor, and mitigate its effects. This study aims to offer new thoughts and approaches on how CSAS might be better treated with a multi-disciplinary, pre-emptive approach while paving the way for further research and study as it relates to gerontology, epigenetics, and senescence.

REFERENCES

1. Murad H. 3 steps to looking, living, and feeling better. In: Conquering cultural stress: The ultimate guide to anti-aging and happiness, Wisdom Waters Press, Los Angeles, 2015.
2. Yanguas J, Pinazo-Henandis S, Tarazona-Santabalbina FJ. The complexity of loneliness. Acta Biomed. 2018;89(2): 302-314.
3. Zs-Nagy I. The membrane hypothesis of aging: Its relevance to re-cent progress in genetic research. J Mol Med. 1997;75(10): 703-714.
4. Murad H. A pilot study on cultural stress anxiety syndrome, its implications on aging, gene expression and treatment strategies. J Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2017;3(1): 013.