Killer Stress

Did anyone watch Killer Stress on PBS last night? Fascinating. I am such a sucker for PBS documentaries. Have you seen the one about kids online? It's terrifying. Wait, now I'm getting stressed thinking about that!

Anyway this was my favorite part of the show last night. People who suffer chronic stress actually wear away the telomeres on the ends of their chromosomes, which causes us to age at a more rapid rate. Mothers of young children with special needs age an average of six years for every year they are caring for a special needs child. A study was done on a group of women with disabled children to determine whether or not the telomeres can be rebuilt, thus reversing this accelerated aging process. It turns out, it can! Do you know how? The women formed a support group and got together weekly to talk about their children and offer support and advice. Does that rock or what. We all know it is true and now there is scientific evidence. Having good friends reverses the damage our children do to us!!!!

Ha ha ha!