Aging should be an enjoyable process. You watch your kids leave the house, you play in the yard with your grandkids, you start to wind down your long working hours.
But for most of us, getting older comes with more problems like aches and pains, trouble losing weight, poor sleep, loss of memory and more.
The good news is, you don't have to age this way.
There are many simple lifestyle habits that you can incorporate into your routine to not only ease the aging process, but to enjoy it.
What Habits Lead to Aging?
Smoking
Smoking is perhaps the most common, and well-known, habit that leads to aging. Not only does smoking, or using nicotine products that contain harmful ingredients, cause issues with your respiratory system but it can impact your skin and cardiovascular system as well.
Smoking speeds up the normal aging process at the cellular level which can contribute to wrinkles, loss of elasticity in the skin, and overall dullness in appearance.
Along the way you look as you age, smoking increases the stress on your cardiovascular system which can leave you vulnerable to disease and heart problems.
Stress
Chronic stress does more than just impact our daily lives, it also impacts how we age. Prolonged periods of stress can lead to sleep deprivation and inflammation.
Without proper sleep and with increased inflammation in the body, you age faster at the cellular level which can also lead to skin damage and increased risk for disease.
Furthermore, when you do not reduce stress you naturally feel like you are going through life as if you feel “older” and worn down.
That’s why meditation, breathing exercises, and leisurely hobbies are important.
Sun Exposure
Increased exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays can have a lasting effect on your skin.
Without effective protection from the sun, like applying the proper SPF to your face and body, you will see an increase in wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness.
Inactivity
Staying active is one of the most important things you can focus on as you age.
Lack of exercise or long periods of inactivity not only cause you to feel older, but they can lead to the deterioration of certain bodily systems.
For example, if you don’t stay active your joints, muscles, and ligaments start to become weaker. A body at rest stays at rest. A body in motion stays in motion.
Along with that, staying active helps with your cardiovascular system and with weight management as you age.
That’s why you should aim for at least 30 minutes of activity per day whether that’s walking, periodic stretches, yoga, or hitting the gym.
Diet
The foods we consume have a significant impact on how we age.
Eating foods that are processed, filled with pesticides, or high in sugar and unhealthy fats can contribute to disease risk, weakened immunity, and even skin issues such as acne or dryness.
Similarly, eating foods that cause inflammation can overtime lead to problems with mobility in the joints, brain function, and energy levels which can make us feel as if we’ve aged faster.
It’s important to try to shop organically whenever possible and eat a balanced diet that consists of leafy vegetables, “good” fats like omega-3s, fiber, prebiotics, and other sources of nutrition.
These are just some of the lifestyle considerations as you age. In order to live a life full of health and wellness, it is important to constantly build healthy habits into our routine.
References & Disclaimers
✝✝This noted statement is based on independent research and is not necessarily the opinion of the author