Stress Less

October 4, 2010
In her first book, journalist Singer argues that, while everyone is dealing with stress these days, the burden falls on women, particularly female baby boomers, who "essentially invented the Superwomen syndrome." Through extensive research and interviews with prominent scientists, the author examines stress as a genetic enemy and reveals the neurological and biological mechanisms that tie stress to aging. As we age, telomeres, the "chromosome life-savers" that govern the repair of DNA, erode as old or damaged cells are replaced; life-style factors such as smoking, diet, exercise, infection, and stress contribute, but studies have sown that the damage can be reversed. Singer refers to the most recent science as motivation for employing tried-and-true remedies for coping with stress, like meditation, sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Singer, who has covered the science and health beat for over 30 years, has an accessible approach to difficult material, employing personal stories as a way into her lessons. Though these stories often feel overly functional, the message behind them is clear: if women stress less, they can turn back the clock.