Introduction
As we age, our bodies naturally start to show signs of wear and tear. But did you know that some of your everyday habits could be making you age faster than you should? Eating the wrong foods, not getting enough sleep, and not exercising regularly can all contribute to premature aging. In this article, we’ll explore some of the everyday habits that make you older, according to science. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make healthier choices that can help you stay younger for longer. So, if you’re looking for ways to keep your body looking and feeling younger, read on to learn more about the everyday habits that make you older, according to science.
Everyday Habits That Make You Age Faster, According to Science
We all want to look and feel our best, but sometimes our everyday habits can have an adverse effect on our health and wellbeing. According to science, there are certain habits that can make us age faster than we’d like. Here are some of the everyday habits that you should avoid if you want to stay looking and feeling young.
1. Eating Processed Foods
Processed foods are full of unhealthy ingredients like added sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats. Eating too much of these foods can lead to weight gain, inflammation, and other health issues that can make you look and feel older. Instead, opt for fresh, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
2. Not Getting Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining a healthy body and mind. Not getting enough sleep can lead to a weakened immune system, increased stress levels, and a decrease in cognitive function. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to keep your body and mind functioning at its best.
3. Not Exercising Regularly
Exercise is important for keeping your body strong and healthy. Not getting enough physical activity can lead to a decrease in muscle mass, an increase in fat, and a decrease in overall energy levels. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day to keep your body in tip-top shape.
4. Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst habits you can have when it comes to aging. Not only does it increase your risk of developing cancer and other serious health issues, but it can also cause premature wrinkles and age spots. If you want to stay looking and feeling young, it’s best to avoid smoking altogether.
5. Not Drinking Enough Water
Staying hydrated is essential for keeping your skin looking and feeling its best. Not drinking enough water can lead to dry, dull skin, which can make you look older than you are. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water each day to keep your skin looking and feeling its best.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the everyday habits that can make you age faster than you’d like. By avoiding these habits and making healthier choices, you can keep your body and mind looking and feeling its best for years to come.
“You’re only as old as you feel.” While something of a cliché, this expression’s general idea—that you have control over the ways your body is affected by the aging process—is absolutely true. By making healthy lifestyle choices, you can keep yourself feeling strong and vital well into old age. Dr. Myles Spar, Chief Medical Officer of Vault Health, is an expert when it comes to men’s physical, emotional, and sexual health. Here are his 13 everyday ways that make your body look older. Read on to find out more—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
When it comes to keeping you young, meditation has been shown to actually change the brain. Sara Lazar, a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, conducted studies involving brain scans of meditators. She found that people who had been meditating for a long time had increased grey matter in the auditory and sensory cortex, which she attributes to the mindful attention paid to breathing, sounds, and other stimuli during meditation. She also discovered more grey matter in the frontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with memory and decision making. According to Lazar, meditators in their fifties had the same amount of gray matter in one part of the prefrontal cortex as people in their twenties in spite of the fact that the cortex is known to shrink as we age. Why not incorporate this brain-boosting practice into your life?
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Have you seen ads for brain-training games and wondered if they were legit? According to recent research, the answer is yes. A new study found cognitive training increased the energy efficiency of participants’ brains. In the randomized clinical trial, adults aged 56 to 71 were either given twelve weeks of cognitive training or assigned to one of two control groups. Measuring brain activity, researchers found those in the cognitive training group showed a significant increase in the association between reaction time and frontal lobe activity compared to the control groups, meaning their brains didn’t have to work as hard to perform tasks. The study’s authors hope their findings pave the way for further research that attempts to harness the potential of the aging brain.
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According to Dr. Oz, having loving sex a couple of times a week increases testosterone in men and can reduce your “real age” by nearly three years. Even if you’re not romantically involved, spending time with friends and family keeps you from isolating yourself as you get older. Volunteering, too, can be a nice way to ward off loneliness while helping your community. The website volunteermatch.org can help you figure out where your skills can best be put to use.
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Flexibility decreases as we age, but the National Academy of Sports Medicine says following a systematic and progressive flexibility program can help keep you limber. Even a few minutes of light stretching every morning can make a difference. The National Institute on Aging provides some good information and exercises here.
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It’s probably a given that loneliness takes a toll on your mental health, but did you know it can actually affect your genes—and maybe even shorten your life? Research suggests being lonely can have a negative impact on telomeres, the segments of DNA at the end of our chromosomes that shorten each time a cell divides and may indicate how long we’ll live. Longer telomeres are associated with slower aging, fewer age-related diseases, and generally greater life spans. In a study of African grey parrots in captivity, those who were housed alone had shorter telomeres compared to those who lived with a companion bird. This finding supports a growing body of evidence showing that social isolation and other stressors can be detrimental to our telomeres. Loneliness can also increase your risk of depression, cognitive decline, heart disease, and other serious conditions in ways similar to obesity and smoking. Schedule a dinner with a buddy you haven’t seen in a while or take your spouse out for a night on the town. You could also consider volunteering in your community, which gives you a chance to help others while you interact with them.
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Not only does exercise benefit your body and mind, research shows it could also keep your muscles young by stopping or even reversing the decline in their cellular health that comes with aging.
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A balanced diet high in whole foods provides your body with the nutrients it needs to stay in top form. Avoid refined sugar, which causes inflammation linked to diseases like diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Unsure what to eat? Check out livestrong.com‘s list of anti-aging foods here.
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According to a survey by Vault Health, 41% of men get 6 hours or less of sleep on an average night. It’s common for sleep patterns to shift as we age. Taking steps like cutting caffeine intake and putting your devices down well before bed can help you get the rest you need. And while it might be tempting to exercise in an attempt to wear yourself out, don’t work out too close to bedtime or you’ll have a hard time winding down.
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If left unchecked, chronic stress can lead to depression, heart disease, and other serious conditions, potentially shaving years off your life. Try a relaxation technique like yoga or meditation, both scientifically proven to lower stress levels. Or consider tai chi, a practice that may improve balance and stability in older people while reducing anxiety.
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Even if you eat well you’re probably lacking nutrients important for healthy aging. And many supplements have been shown to protect the body from disease—fish oil, for example, is associated with prevention of heart disease and stroke.
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Moderate alcohol consumption has been shown to bump up HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and red wine in particular may have additional heart-healthy powers. As far as nonalcoholic beverages go, both green tea and coffee contain antioxidants that may help you fight off age-related illnesses. A 2013 study found green tea drinkers who consumed four cups a day had an almost 20% lower stroke risk compared to people who rarely drank green tea, probably due to compounds called catechins that help regulate blood pressure and improve blood flow.
According to research in the burgeoning field of epigenetics, your brain never loses its capacity to change and heal itself. Known as neuroplasticity, this malleability needs to be maintained so you can stay sharp into your golden years. According to alzheimers.net, games that challenge your memory and mental agility may help strengthen the neural connections in your brain. Instead of spending your lunch break scrolling through Facebook, why not spend a few minutes doing some brain training?
Science shows the condition of your skin has a big impact on how old people think you are. To keep wrinkles and sunspots at bay, wear sunscreen, use a basic moisturizer, and drink plenty of water. If you still smoke, quit! Among other negative effects, it makes you look A LOT older. And to get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don’t miss these 35 Places You’re Most Likely to Catch COVID.