Aging is often synonymous with wrinkles, gray hair and slowing bodies.
It creates anxiety as you begin to think in terms of borrowed time and you likely pay closer attention to every ache and pain, of which there are more than you had ever imagined when you were young and pictured growing old.
Although there is nothing you can do to slow time, there are things you can do to slow its effects.
Here are just a few of them:
1. Relax
Nothing will age you quicker than living a life full of stress and anxiety. Your outsides will show the results via gray and possibly thinning hair, brittle nails and skin that is prone to outbreaks.
Your insides may also feel it with potential heart problems, gastrointestinal issues and nerves that are always on end.
If you want to avoid all of that, then you need to find things that soothe your soul and engage in them often.
Whether it be a hobby that makes you calm, time with family and friends that eases your angst or quality moments alone that help you stay centered and grounded, regular doses of these types of activities are exactly what you need to keep negative effects of aging at bay.
2. Get happy
In addition to finding ways to relax yourself, engaging in activities that make you happy are equally important when it comes to not growing old before your time.
If you feel that your life is past its prime and never pursue the things that make you smile, then you’re definitely going to age at a faster rate as you’ll lose your luster for life.
Find the things that make you laugh and enjoy life and make them just as important as all of the other items on your to-do list. For instance, if you like to participate in a certain sport, then sign up to join a league. Or, if you enjoy photography, look for classes in your area that interest you.
3. Be active
If you spend the later years in your life doing nothing more than sitting on the couch and watching life go by, you’re going to rapidly increase the aging effects. Essentially, you’re alive but you’re not living.
Not only is staying active great for your health as it keeps your body strong and in good shape, it’s also wonderful for your mind. It improves your mood and helps you cut through the negatives that everyday life holds from time to time.
Commit to engaging in at least 30 minutes of activity most days of the week. Go for walks after dinner to soothe your belly and your brain, or join a gym with a pal and get some quality girl time while getting in shape too.
4. Let go of your physical age
Just because you’re a certain age doesn’t mean a thing. We all know people who are twenty but act fifty and people who are eighty but you’d swear they were thirty if you didn’t know any better. Age is nothing but a number. A number that says how many years you’ve been on this earth.
So, let go of any preconceived notions of what you believe that certain ages mean. Instead, focus on living each day to the fullest and doing the things you’re capable of doing. You’re only as old as you feel, so focus on participating in the things that make you feel youthful.
5. Take a multi-vitamin
If you want to feel your best at any age, you need to give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs. Ideally, it’s best to get them from eating a variety of foods, but taking a multi-vitamin ensures that it has everything it needs to function as efficiently and as effectively as possible.
There are a lot of different multi-vitamins on the market. The key is to choose one that gives you as close to 100% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for as many vitamins and nutrients as possible.
Stay away from the choices that offer amounts that exceed the RDA as they are unnecessary and, in some cases, could be harmful.
6. Mind your skin
One of the first places that aging appears on your body is your skin. You start to get wrinkles and age spots in places you’ve never had them before. These can definitely make you feel older than your time when you’re looking in the mirror and have that constant reminder that time is taking its toll.
With your skin, you’re better off being proactive than you are reactive. Start before there are noticeable effects and you’ll have a much easier time staying ahead of the game.
Use moisturizers and toners daily and keep your body well hydrated by drinking lots of water. Use sunscreen any time you’re going to be outside whether you anticipate being in the sun or not as a lot of surfaces can reflect the sun’s rays even if you’re not directly in their path.
7. Quit fighting it
The more you fight the fact that you’re aging, the crazier you’re going to make yourself. Look, no matter what you do, each day will continue to come and go. And, you can’t spend the rest of your life worried about what effect time is having on you. Decide to end your battle with your age and learn to embrace it.
Getting older isn’t all bad. As you spend more time on this earth, you become wiser and more learned in what is going on around you. You become more comfortable with who you are and how you feel. You’re more self-confident as you realize that the only opinion that truly matters is your own.
Don’t view aging as a bad thing, because it isn’t – unless you make it that way. Celebrate your time on this earth and make the best of it. After all, the more time you spend worrying about your age, the less time you get to enjoy it.
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