Aging today has taken on a whole new meaning then it did a hundred years ago. People worry less about reaching their later life, thanks to advancing medicine. Now, they worry about reaching those later years healthy, aging as little as possible.
We all get old, it is the way of life and no amount of Botox or plastic surgery can change that. There are factors to either aging gracefully or simply aging; stress and nutrition are two important ones. The old adage laughter goes along way is true and can tack on an extra ten years if or you can let stress take ten away.
Here are 5 aging mistakes you might be making:
Stress
Keeping Stress at bay is essential to living a healthy life and preventing disease. Life is full of stress at every corner as you deal with your job, family, kids and all the stuff in between; the pivotal factor is how you deal with these situations.
Stress releases certain hormones, cortisol and adrenaline, which put your body at a constant state of alert. When needed, these hormones do exactly what they are supposed to do; unfortunately, these hormones are being released from a continued state of anxiety instead.
Cortisol and adrenaline buildup can lead to bad moods, irritability, insomnia, headaches, stomach problems, muscle tension, reduce blood flow, bad diet and depression; none of these issues lend themselves to aging gracefully.
Breathing is the easiest and quickest way to lower stress. Give yourself a couple moments to relax, count to ten and breath it all out. Repeating this a few times during intense situations will take the edge off your body and allow blood flow to continue as normal.
Eating Sweets & Inflammatory Foods
Obesity in adults has quadrupled in America during the last 40 years; sugar and high fructose corn syrup are the leading culprits behind this spike through a process called glycation.
Glycation creates free radicals that cause tissue damage, affecting the collagen and elastin that keeps our skin youthful and springy. Lifestyles filled with processed, fried, high fat foods increase the risk of inflammation, leading to oxidation and cell damage.
Cutting Healthy Fats
We have a stigma in society that all fat is bad, that is simply not true; some fat is bad and some fat is absolutely necessary.
Healthy fats keep you healthy inside and out by providing lubrication for joints, organs, cells and the skin. They also create hormonal balance, allow proper brain function, provide energy and satiate your hunger for longer periods of time.
Omega 3 fatty acids keep the heart healthy, slow down the aging process, lower bad cholesterol and releases melatonin to relax the body for a better night’s sleep.
Try adding avocados, nuts and healthy plant based oils to your diet for more energy and less cravings. Fish oil is also a great source of healthy fats.
Saying No to Resistance Training
According to CNN Health, women lose about 5% of their muscle mass every decade after the age of 30, not a very pleasant thought. The best way to fight this is to train your muscles using weights or using your own body weight with push-ups, lunges or squats.
This not only keeps your metabolism regulated, it also builds overall strength. The body has more energy, the muscles become toned instead of saggy and the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for you feeling happy.
Forgetting the Sunblock
Sun damage causes wrinkles, ugly brown spots and leather looking skin. Sunblock is a necessary moisturizer and not just when you are on the beach; anytime your skin comes in contact with the sun, its strong UV rays can cause damage.
Choose an SPF that is at least 30 and slather it on all exposed areas, even when the sky is filled with clouds.
There is only so much you can do to protect yourself from aging, but that does not mean that you have to go down without a fight. Using these tips and eating a healthy diet filled with powerful antioxidants will give you a big advantage to younger looking skin.
