Did Signs of Graying Appear Early on You? Are You Really Still Young?
You look much older! I thought you were in your sixties, but I was surprised to learn that you haven’t even reached forty yet!
How many times have you heard such comments before? How many times have you stood before the mirror, wondering about the signs of graying invading your features? How often have you felt that your youth has been taken from you before you’ve even fully lived it? Does this gray and white hair spreading on your head bother you?
Allah Almighty says: "Allah is the One who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and white hair. He creates what He wills, and He is the Knowing, the Competent." (Ar-Rum: 54)
The noble verse outlines the stages of human growth: before weakness and graying, there is a stage called “strength,” which is what we refer to as youth. Ideally, a person should not transition to the stage of graying before completing the stage of strength.
However, many factors cause signs of graying to appear prematurely. Have you ever researched these causes to preserve what remains of your youth? Or are you still wondering how time has passed and when these signs appeared? Do you know that premature graying is not solely due to aging?
Numerous studies confirm that premature graying is not just a result of aging but is also caused by several factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, excessive thinking, and regret.
Researchers conducted a study on the causes of graying among a group of young individuals, and participants reported that these signs appeared after experiencing a psychological crisis. The study also found that the graying process began to reverse once participants overcame their crises and took time to rest, stabilizing their mental health.
Graying is a gradual process, not a sudden one, according to a study conducted by Luria on a sample of participants aged 45 to 65. The study found that 74% of the sample showed signs of graying, with gray hair covering 27% of their heads. It also revealed that 1 in 10 individuals did not develop gray hair even after surpassing the age of 60.
Here Are 4 Essential Tips to Prevent Premature Graying:
1. Reduce Stress and Anxiety:
More than 275 million people worldwide suffer from anxiety disorders! Often, sorrow and distress overwhelm your heart, and anxiety and stress dominate your mind. You regret the past, fear the future, and burden yourself with concerns too heavy to carry. You feel that youth is slipping away quickly, and soon, the signs of graying appear. At that moment, you will regret the moments wasted in worry and stress.
If you struggle with grief, sadness, or other unhelpful psychological disorders, you must rid yourself of them, as they will inevitably lead to premature graying and rob you of your youth.
Thus, the Prophet ﷺ was keen to overcome any sadness or worry because he understood its dangers. He said in a hadith narrated by Ibn Mas’ud: "No one experiences anxiety or grief and says: O Allah, I am Your slave, and the son of Your male slave, and the son of your female slave. My forehead is in Your Hand (i.e. you have control over me). Your Judgment upon me is assured, and Your Decree concerning me is just. I ask You by every Name that You have named Yourself with, revealed in Your Book, taught any one of Your creation, or kept unto Yourself in the knowledge of the unseen that is with You, to make the Qur'an the spring of my heart, and the light of my chest, the banisher of my sadness, and the reliever of my distress – but Allah will remove his distress and replace his sorrow with joy."
2. Don’t Overburden Yourself:
The Prophet ﷺ forbade a person from overburdening themselves beyond their capacity or forcing themselves to do things they cannot handle, even in acts of worship!
The Prophet ﷺ said to Abdullah ibn Amr when he learned that he fasted every day, prayed all night, and finished the Quran in one night: "Do not do so; Offer prayer at night and also sleep; Fast for a few days and give up fasting for a few days because your body has a right on you, and your eye has a right on you, and your guest has a right on you, and your wife has a right on you."
If this applies to acts of worship, then it is even more important not to exhaust ourselves with the concerns, desires, and problems of the world, as doing so can lead to premature graying—and ultimately, even death!
3. Take Time to Relax and Enjoy Yourself:
The soul gets weary from too many responsibilities and ages under heavy burdens. You must give yourself a break from time to time. Don’t let your life be nothing but work upon work and struggle upon struggle. You should make time for enjoyment—but not at the expense of your religious obligations. Know that relaxing can even be rewarded if you intend it as a means to help you maintain your worship and well-being.
It was narrated that it is written in the wisdom of the family of David: "It is incumbent upon a wise person to have four hours: an hour in which he supplicates to his Lord, an hour in which he holds himself accountable, an hour in which he spends time with his companions who inform him of his faults and speak to him about himself, and an hour in which he enjoys his permissible and pleasant desires; for indeed, this hour aids in fulfilling the other hours."
Some permissible forms of recreation include going hunting while maintaining prayer, taking trips with proper Islamic guidelines, swimming, visiting parks, spending time with righteous friends, and engaging in various sports.
4. Eat a Healthy Diet:
One of the key factors in preventing premature graying is maintaining a healthy diet, yet many people neglect its importance.
Studies conducted in 2021 indicate that 1.1 billion people will not be able to access a healthy diet for various reasons, with affordability being a primary factor. This number represents 14% of the world’s population!
If you want to maintain your health and youth and prevent premature graying, you must follow a healthy diet. This includes consuming foods rich in antioxidants, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, fish, and essential vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, copper, zinc, vitamin D, and meats.
If you want to preserve your youth and protect yourself from premature graying, take care of your health and mental well-being. Know that life is not worth excessive sorrow and regret, as these will only shorten your lifespan. Life is a moment—live it with happiness and great hope. And beware of being among those who neglect their lives, waste their days of effort, and regret it when the time of harvest arrives.
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