Most people leave narcissist relationships in worse health than they entered. And it’s no wonder.
Narcissists typically cause their partners flight or fight hormones to go into overdrive. Because of their erratic behaviours, and selfish attitudes.
These stress hormones aren’t supposed to be triggered all the time. They’re designed to get us out of immediate danger, then quickly return back to base levels.
Narcissists heighten these levels most of the time. Which over time, damages our body’s.
On top of this, most partners of narcissists receive little, if any help from them. Yet they’re expected to do almost everything for the narcissist. Effectively doubling their work load. And years of this takes it toll.
Narcissists demand so much time and energy, that it’s almost impossible to look after your health and well being. So their partners typically neglect themselves.
I’ve noticed that many partners of narcissists appear bloated, pale, and ill looking. And I did too.
When I look at pictures before my relationship, and during, it paints an obvious picture. My health was good before the relationship. During the relationship I gained weight and looked ill. And now several years on from the relationship, and I look much better.
Here’s my top tips for reversing the ageing caused by narcissists…
Reduce Anxiety
Many partners of narcissists develop anxiety. I left my narcissist relationship with almost crippling anxiety. I would sometimes be shaking just opening the front door. And this isn’t good for your mental or physical health. So I decided to do something about it.
Daily meditation helped me calm my mind and body. And it’s something everyone can benefit from.
Meditation gives a quick fix of relaxation, and with regular use, it gets you used to being relaxed. Which is important for maintaining calm.
Narcissist get us so accustomed to feeling stressed, that it becomes our normal state. So when we’re not stressed, we feel uncomfortable. Perhaps bored and restless. So we unconsciously seek out drama and stress. Just to feel “normal”. Which is taxing on our mind and body.
Once you get used to feeling relaxed, you can let go of the need for stress and drama. And live a calmer and happier life. Without feeling that something is “wrong”.
If you’re unsure how to meditate, please check out this simple guided meditation I created…
I also talked to my Doctor, who prescribed medication. Whilst I’m not a fan of medication, sometimes needs must. And it did help reduce my anxiety.
Prioritise Sleep
A good nights sleep reduces anxiety. And the benefits don’t stop there.
Virtually all longevity experts agree that good sleep is one of the pillars of longevity. And it costs nothing to do.
I made the decision to go to bed earlier. So that I didn’t need an alarm to force me awake. Which allowed me get more quality sleep.
If an alarm wakes you every morning, then it shows you’re probably not getting enough sleep. Because if you were, you’d already be awake. So go to bed earlier, so you don’t need to interrupt your sleep.
I also made sure I wound down a few hours before going to bed. And got myself into a relaxed state, both mentally and physically. (Meditation may help this!)
Again, if you’re struggling to fall asleep or maintain it, then it may be worth medical intervention. At least for a while. Because although taking tablets to help sleep isn’t ideal, it’s better than suffering with chronic sleep issues.
Diet
A good diet is vitally important for your health and longevity. And although healthy foods may seem boring at first, we quickly adapt. Until eventually you no longer crave unhealthy foods. And they may even feel a little nauseating.
Avoid processed foods as much as possible. And eat more foods that God created. Rather than the foods man makes in factories.
Good foods are fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, nuts, eggs. Ingredients, rather than products. All the things our ancestors ate.
Reduce your intake of refined sugars, as these are well known to age us. And cause a whole host of health issues, such as cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. Avoid cooking with seed oils. Instead use extra virgin olive oil, coconut oils, butter, etc.
Don’t forget about liquids. Avoid sugary drinks, especially sodas. And drink more water, green tea, herbal teas, etc. Drinks without sugar, sweeteners, and other chemicals.
Exercise
Our body’s are designed to work. But modern life has many conveniences that do this for us. So we need to exercise to keep our body strong, and firing on all cylinders.
The best exercise is the one you stick to. So if hiking’s your thing, do that. If you prefer swimming, then great. Create an exercise schedule, of what you’re going to do, and when. And treat it like you would brushing your teeth. Consider it a non negotiable part of your day.
If you want to take your fitness to the next level, then consider doing something for all 3 main areas of fitness. These are strength, cardio, and flexibility.
I personally lift weights for strength. Use the treadmill and cross trainer for cardio. And attend a weekly yoga class for flexibility. But I didn’t do all of these things from day one.
I lifted weights first. And did this until it became engrained in my routine. I then added cardio, until this became “normal”. Then after a while I added yoga.
My routine gradually evolved. So it wasn’t a shock to my system. And it wasn’t overwhelming, where I felt like giving up. Ease yourself in, and gradually up the ante. Be kind to yourself!
Any amount of exercise is better than none. So even if you do two 20 minute sessions per week, that’s far better than none.
Final Thoughts
Most people look after their cars, homes, and pets. But miss themselves out. However none of these things matter, if we’re in poor health.
Get in the habit of prioritising your health and longevity. Because not only will you look better, you’ll feel better too.
When you’re firing on all cylinders, life gets easier. And your abilities grow. Leaving you happier, healthier, and more successful.
Narcissists take your focus, and direct it onto them. But now you’re free, you can focus your energy back on yourself. And improve your mental and physical health. And in turn, improve your life.
There’s far more literature on longevity than this article can provide. But this should give you a solid foundation to start from.
If you want to learn more about longevity, check out longevity experts such as Jessie InchauspĂ©, David Sinclair, Andrew Huberman, and Peter Attia. There’s plenty of free content all over social media, particularly YouTube.
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