Bad Habits That Speed Up the Aging Clock
Aging is inevitable, but did you know that your everyday habits could be speeding up your clock faster than you would like? From skipping sunscreen to keeping your eyes glued to digital screens, certain lifestyle choices you make could be adding years to your skin, body, and mind. But don't worry—you can slow things down by making a few simple shifts and adjustments. Here are 10 surprising habits that are aging you faster and 10 ways to help fight it.
1. Skipping Sunscreen
You might think it's fine to skip the sunscreen when it's rainy or overcast, but UV rays can still penetrate through thick clouds and damage your skin. If you regularly skimp on sun protection, don't be alarmed when age starts showing on your skin earlier than you expect.
2. Constant Screen Time
Are you constantly glued to your phone, computer, or TV? Well, you might want to step away from the screens. Not only can blue light damage your skin and eyes, but experts also say that every hour you spend sitting on the couch watching TV or swiping on your phone can reduce your lifespan by 20 minutes. Why? Simply due to the sedentary patterns that come with it, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
3. Poor Posture
If you're reading this article slumped at your desk or curled up in bed, take this as a sign to sit up and fix your posture. Keep up with the bad habits, and you might experience permanent back pain, "tech neck," or even reduced lung capacity. After all, slouching can compress your thoracic cavity, which can put stress on your heart and strain your spinal discs.
4. Taking Hot Showers
Do you regularly turn the hot water tap all the way up when you shower, causing everything to fog up? If so, you might want to unlearn your habits. Washing your face, hands, and body with hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness and premature aging.
5. Not Drinking Enough Water
You probably already know you should be drinking more water, but it's one thing to know it and another thing to actually follow through on it. But if you skimp on hydration, it can lead to dry skin and decreased skin elasticity, making you appear older. Plus, chronic dehydration forces your heart to work harder, which can put strain on it.
6. Inconsistent Sleep Schedule
Do you sleep at different times each day? Well, an inconsistent sleep schedule could be aging you faster than you'd like. If you're not getting enough quality shut-eye each night, you could also be deliberately keeping your cortisol (a.k.a. stress hormone) levels high, which can break down collagen and prevent skin repair.
7. Overexercising
Believe it or not, overtraining or exercising too much can be a bad thing and may speed up aging. While you'll want to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity in every day, it's an entirely different thing to put excessive strain on your muscles constantly. Make sure to give your body time to recover between workouts.
8. Sipping Through Straws
Even sipping through straws can prematurely age you. The reason for this is because when you drink beverages through a straw, you purse your lips, causing fine lines and wrinkles to form around your mouth. Over time, these can become permanent, making you appear older.
9. Eating Too Much Sugar
Just as you probably know you should drink more water, you likely also know that you should limit your sugar intake. If you ever needed a reason to stop snacking on sweets and desserts, here it is: a high-sugar diet can trigger glycation, where sugars stick to the skin's collagen and elastin and damage them, causing wrinkles and saggy skin.
10. Chronic Stress
Chronic stress not only dampens mood, but elevated cortisol levels can also lead to inflammation, weight gain, and oxidative stress, which can result in cell damage. Over time, this can make you age faster and increase your risk of disease.
Wondering how to fight aging? Read on for 10 habits you should start adopting:
1. Always Wear Sunscreen
The first piece of advice we have that may prevent premature aging? Wear sunscreen. And we don't mean only when it's sunny out—slather on a generous layer all over your face and body, even when it's cloudy out. The earlier you start adopting this habit, the more you'll thank yourself for it later.
2. Eat Healthy, Balanced Meals
Put good food in your body. Instead of reaching for unhealthy snacks that are overly processed or sugary, load up on veggies, fruits, and whole grains, and make sure to eat plenty of protein and fiber every day.
3. Quit Smoking & Alcohol
If you haven't quit smoking already, you should. Smoking doesn't just cause visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and dark spots—it also raises your risk of developing chronic disease, making it 15 to 30 times more likely that you'll develop lung, esophageal, bladder, or other cancers. Excessive drinking, too, can accelerate aging and increase your risk of disease.
4. Limit Sugar Intake
As mentioned earlier, a high-sugar diet can speed up the aging process, leading to more wrinkles and saggy skin. It's recommended for adults to limit their sugar intake so it accounts for less than 10% of their total daily calories, or 5% if possible.
5. Drink Plenty of Water
Also mentioned earlier, make sure to drink plenty of water every day—at least eight full glasses, and more if possible. Keeping well hydrated gives your body the energy it needs to function properly, so try swapping your cup of Joe for some plain water!
6. Get Enough Quality Sleep
You'll also want to make sure to get at least seven to nine hours of shut-eye each night. Not getting adequate or quality rest can put a toll on your brain and body, making them function less than ideal. Practice good sleep hygiene (no screens at least an hour before bed), and stick to a consistent schedule.
7. Spend More Days Screen-Free
It might be hard to stay away from your phone, computer, or TV, especially if you're used to being glued to these screens, but spending more time away from them will help you in the long run. And instead of staying cooped up indoors, head out and get some exercise in—your body will thank you for it later!
8. Prioritize Self-Care
Whether it's making time for hobbies or doing yoga, make sure to prioritize self-care to keep both your mind and body younger. After all, stress is one of the biggest accelerators of aging, so carving out moments just for yourself can help regulate your cortisol levels, boost your mood, and even improve sleep.
9. Manage Stress
Building off the last point, it's incredibly important to find suitable stress management techniques that work for you. Again, chronic stress and anxiety can accelerate aging, increase inflammation, weaken your immune system, and disrupt sleep. So, whether it’s meditation, journaling, exercising, or even just reminding yourself to take regular breaks, learning how to manage stress will help your mind and body.
10. Laugh More
Another easy way to fight aging? It's simple: laugh more. Smiling, too, uses fewer muscles than frowning, so make sure to surround yourself with people and things that make you happy. This way, you'll boost not only your mood, but also prevent premature aging.
KEEP ON READING
20 Natural Ways You Can Boost Your Immune System
20 Ways To De-stress & Relax After Work
The 10 Most Common Diseases & The 10 Most Rare
