Once I got over 50 I became obsessed with looking for things to prevent wrinkles and age-related diseases.
You know it’s hard to stop researching once you get started and there are hundreds of things that can be done to help you age in the best way possible.
I’ll start with seven basic life hacks you can apply to your life today to help you age better but I’ll be adding to this list over the coming year.
1. Invest In Large Sunglasses
The skin around your eyes is the most delicate and thin skin you own.
It’s also the place where wrinkles tend to appear first.
By wearing oversized sunglasses, you are preventing sun damage from occurring around your eyes and you are also reducing how much you are squinting.
Sun exposure damages the network of collagen fibers in the deep layers of the skin, leading to wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.
2. Make Time For Your Friends
Oftentimes we find our schedules to be so hectic that we neglect to make time for a social life. However, having a social life can help you age better in many ways.
The biggest thing making time for friends will accomplish is lowering your stress level.
Studies have shown that being stressed out damages your skin cells, which leads to premature lines.
Stress can also lower your immune system leading you to a more likely chance of becoming ill.
As a bonus, making time for your friends also means that you are more active both physically and mentally.
3. Stay Active
It’s no secret that as you age your metabolism slows down.
Getting at least thirty minutes of activity, a day both increases your metabolism but can also help to increase bone density putting you at a lower risk of bone injuries as you age.
Related: 5 Reasons You Should Go For A Walk Every Day
4. Take Collagen Regularly
Your body naturally produces collagen every day, but production gradually declines age we age.
On the outside, the signs of diminished collagen production can show up as fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
On the inside, the cartilage in joints can begin to lose its strength and resilience, impacting comfort and mobility.
I’ve learned recently that marine collagen is the type that works the best for your skin and I’ve started taking this collagen elixir.
5. Keep Your Diet Colorful
We know there are some foods out there that speed up the aging process.
What many people aren’t aware of, is that there are also some foods out there that can do the opposite.
Foods like kale, broccoli, blueberries, strawberries, oranges, and plums are all rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can promote healthy aging.
Some of these nutrients include alpha lipoic acid, carotenoids (including vitamin A, ß-carotene, lycopene, astaxanthin, and retinol), CoQ10, glutathione, polyphenols, and vitamins C, D, and E.
6. Reduce Your Toxin Exposure
Toxins are a big deal when it comes to our health and aging.
They are hard to avoid since we are surrounded by toxins in the air, water, cleaners, and our skincare.
I found this video helpful but realize you won’t be able to avoid toxins completely but you can take steps to reduce them.
I’ve written about this many times on my website and I don’t want you to be overwhelmed.
Do what you can and make small changes at a time.
Decide on one area to work on and then move on to another.
For instance, you may decide to look at your skincare products and then move on to your house cleaners.
Related: 9 Easy Hacks To Reduce Toxins In Your Home
7. Change Your Opinion Of Old
There is no formal definition of what old means.
The word can have many different meanings depending on the context.
Don’t degrade yourself by talking about your “senior moments” or the things you can no longer do.
Having a positive attitude and a good mental outlook is half the battle. When you tell yourself that you are old and can’t do things, it becomes the truth.
Instead, focus on all the things you can do and remember, age is just a number.
Bottom Line
Heath is cumulative.
In today’s busy society, we tend to forget to take care of ourselves because we are so busy taking care of everyone else.
Make yourself a priority and begin implementing even just one of the above suggestions for now.
By implementing the seven suggestions above and sticking to them, they will become part of your normal routine.
Take care of yourself now so you can ensure that you will age in a positive way.
Great advice. I believe all the steps are important but number 7 is perhaps the biggest challenge for most people. So many homes for people over 60 or 65 that people start thinking that when you reach that age you are getting old. My blog is about Whole Food and longevity. When I reached 75 my wife and I built a farm from the ground up. We now have over 250 chickens, 50 turkeys, about 50 ducks, goats, 15 dogs and 9 cats. Tomorrow I turn 81 and frankly, I just don’t have time to grow old. I will be following you with interest and invite you to check on my articles about longevity plus a few good recipes shared as well.
That’s really encouraging. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for the healthy reminders
Thank you! I’m adding to the list as I know there are more than 7.
Wonderfully encouraging ideas and just up my alley. Never stop learning and keep active.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I’ll be adding more to the list. I want to stay active and healthy like Chef William!
Stacy, I enjoyed this blog as a reminder that age is just a number. This was a good and easy to understand for anyone. Thank you.
Thank you!
While I’m nowhere near my 50s, I’m all about taking care of my health and fitness. But great life hacks:)
That’s great.Keep it up.
Thanks for some interesting information. I don’t feel old until I want to do something my body doesn’t want to do.
I totally get that!!