Contrary to what the internet and scaremongers will have you believe, aging is a good thing. It is a natural part of life and everyone can do it gracefully —with the right techniques of course.
While we can’t stop our bodies’ biological clock, we can certainly slow it down by adopting certain routines and habits. From diet and exercise to sleep and skincare, there are numerous ways to maintain a youthful appearance and vibrant health.
In this article, I’ll highlight the science-approved routines that can help you age slower while still enjoying a longer, healthier life.
What you can do to achieve this:
Healthy Eating:
Like you’d often hear health practitioners say, healthy eating is very beneficial for a lot of reasons and helping you look younger and feel good is one of them. Individuals who retain their youthful looks usually stick to a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while also reducing their intake of processed foods which are almost always high in sugar and unhealthy fats.
Foods rich in antioxidants like berries, nuts, and leafy greens help to fight oxidative stress and free radicals which are contributors of damaged cells that accelerate aging.
Foods or fruits rich in vitamins boosts one’s overall health and encourages the production of collagen which keeps the skin youthful and firm.
Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids like fish help maintain the skin’s lipid barrier which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Adequate Sleep:
Unfortunately for the night owls reading this, your nightly sleep has a crucial role to play in how young you look as you age. When we sleep at night, our body uses that time to repair, regenerate and rejuvenate itself. Neglecting this vital routine leads to dark circles, bloodshot eyes, premature wrinkles and a generally tired look which tends to age one’s appearance.
Alternatively, getting the mandated 7-8 hours of sleep constantly can help maintain the skin’s freshness and elasticity.
Regular Exercise:
Exercise plays a crucial role in aging gracefully by promoting both physical and mental well-being. However, due to the nature of our jobs or school, finding time or ways to do this can be challenging but it is easier than you’d think.
Simple weight-bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, or dancing can help with maintaining bone density and reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis when you’re older. The plus-side to this particular exercise is that you can easily incorporate it into your daily routine. E.g walking to class, dancing while doing house chores etc.
On the other hand, engaging in strength training and flexibility exercises helps improve overall mobility, joint flexibility and maintain muscle mass. In your later years, you’ll find that these exercises help you easily complete your daily tasks and reduce the risks of falls and injuries.
Generally, regular exercise helps to lower blood pressure, manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, boost mental health and maintain a healthy weight.
Stress Management:
If you’re an overthinker, and are always stressing over the littlest, minute details, it may be time to take a back seat on that bad habit and find ways to better cope with stress. Not only does stress leave unwanted wrinkles and fine lines on the face, it also takes a toll on one’s mental health.
If you ask older people, they’ll tell you that one of the secrets to aging well and gracefully too is taking care of the mind (a.k.a mental health). This means finding ways of managing stress and limiting your day-to-day worries. Some tested approved ways of managing your stressors are yoga and meditation.
Good Skincare Routine:
Having a good skincare routine can help maintain the health and appearance of your skin thus making you look and feel younger.
Regular use of sunscreen helps protect your skin from harmful UV rays, which causes premature aging, wrinkles, and age spots.
In addition, keeping your skin properly moisturized helps maintain its elasticity and plumpness, which in turns helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Finally, a consistent skincare routine helps maintain the skin’s barrier function, preventing irritation and dryness — factors which can age the skin, however, while doing this, make sure to use specific treatments for your skin concerns E.g. serums for hyperpigmentation or creams for under-eye circles, which helps to address signs of aging more effectively.
Funny enough these are just it, especially that eating healthy, the situation of the country doesn’t even allow.
Nice one Somto
Great tips! Ageing is inevitable but looking younger is possible
Thank you so much for this