When it comes to aging, the focus is usually on what fancy cream to use or what procedure to get but growing older gracefully actually starts with the proper daily habits.
Read on to learn some of the most important habits to avoid if you want to age gracefully.
1. Using Too Much Makeup
With each passing year, you may think extra makeup can help you appear more youthful but heavy foundation, overly dark lips, and spidery eyelashes can actually have the opposite effect. In her book, “French Women Don’t Get Facelifts”, Mireille Guiliano urges women to focus on clean, natural looking makeup.
Rather than caking on makeup, focus on pampering your skin to help give it a natural glow. Shea butter is an excellent option to incorporate into your daily skincare routine due to its beneficial properties. Its high level of Vitamin E fights free radicals and its rich, creamy texture supports healthy hydration levels.
2. Consuming a Diet High in Salt
As with many health conditions, the risk of developing high blood pressure increases with age. A diet too high in salt can promote high blood pressure.
Complications from high blood pressure can include cardiovascular issues and a decrease in cognitive function. Since aging gracefully is about looking healthy on the outside as well as being healthy on the inside, it is important to take your health seriously and limit your intake of salt.
3. A Negative Attitude
Centenarian Daisy McFadden’s secret to a long life is steering clear of “negative people, places and things” as well as focusing on maintaining a positive, grateful attitude.
Various research proves that positive people tend to lead happier lives and experience less of a decline in cognitive function. They are also at a lower risk of developing heart disease.
4. Spending Too Much Time in Front of the TV
It is never healthy to spend hours in front of the TV but this is especially true as you age. Besides wasting time, you may also be cutting years off of your life. Spending too much time on the couch also puts you at risk for social isolation and obesity.
5. Soaking Up Too Much Sun
One of the best ways to prevent the development of fine lines and wrinkles is by avoiding the sun and using a proper sunscreen every day regardless of the weather.
UV rays from the sun damage collagen (a compound in your skin responsible for elasticity, smoothness, and a youthful appearance), create free radicals, and can lead to unsightly spots. Aside from the aesthetic downfalls of basking in the sun, it also greatly increases your chance of developing skin cancer.
6. Chronic Stress
Everyone deals with a certain amount of stress in their life due to family issues, work situations, and money. When stress happens on a regular basis, it raises the body’s level of cortisol. This can lead to insomnia, depression, and an increased risk of heart disease. Some research even suggests it can cause you to look almost 10 years older.
7. Overindulging
Whether you are consuming too much alcohol or junk food, overindulging can have a variety of negative consequences for your health and appearance.
One of the biggest culprits to minimize is sugar. Aside from damaging almost every system in your body, sugar also contributes to sagging skin and wrinkles.
