Here we are going to talk about some ways to improve your physical health and avoid the pitfalls and bad habits that make you age faster.
Ways To Improve Physical Health And Wellbeing Into Old Age
The process of aging is inevitable. However, there are measures we can take to decelerate the process which would have otherwise have been premature.
Try to think of your body like it is a car. You need to take care of it and maintain it in order for it to function properly.
This means that we must have good habits but for now, we want to address five habits that are sure to sabotage the aging process for you.
5 Habits That Can Be Your Worst Enemy
Denying Your Stress
Stress is a killer, it causes inflammation inside the body and chronic stress means that stress hormones are coursing through your body on a regular basis leaving it in a constant state of arousal which can have detrimental consequences for your health long term.
This may mean taking on way less than you are currently doing or just simply saying “NO” more often. Life is surely too short, and we need to be making sure that we are enjoying life as much as possible.
Raymond Casciari, MD, and chief medical officer of St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, Calif Says, “People think multitasking is good, but you don’t actually get anything done—you just create more stress for yourself.”
Stress is something that needs to be managed and not neglected.
Solutions:
- Focus on fewer things at one time.
- Say No more often.
- Eliminate the things that are causing you stress as much as possible.
Isolation
Robert Waldinger, one of the researchers in the 80-year-old Harvard Study Of Adult Development says, “Loneliness kills. It’s as powerful as smoking or alcoholism.”
This study along with many others finds that healthy relationships and strong social ties improve aging on all levels, including emotional, physical and mental health.
This includes, cardiovascular and brain health and the Harvard study found that those with strong relationships lived longer than those who had weak social ties.
Marriage increases life expectancy, and happy relationships can help reduce stress, thus reducing the risk of heart disease, improving the function of the gut, and boosting the immune system.
Not Taking Care Of Your Skin
“Sarah L. Taylor, MD, associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center,” said that “The number-one cause of nearly every sign of premature aging on the human face is ultraviolet exposure.”
That is worrying as there are millions of people that go without the use of protection from the sun every day.
We are exposed to the harmful rays of the sun even when there is cloud cover (so don’t think you’re safe).
How can we prevent skin damage by the sun?
- Make your skin care routine a habit for the rest of your life.
- Wear reflective clothing and use sunglasses when you are going to be exposed to the sun.
- Use a sunblock every day.
Being Sedentary and Not Exercising
Exercise has a ton of benefits, with the reversal of premature aging being one of them. Sitting too much can cause many health problems like obesity, diabetes and the worst leading to an early death.
Technology is a big reason for a lack of activity since a lot of our entertainment requires little to no movement, and it’s becoming an epidemic.
In a study done on the effects of a sedentary lifestyle of elderly women, primary researcher Aladdin Shadyab, Ph.D., from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine said “Our study found cells age faster with a sedentary lifestyle. “Chronological age doesn’t always match your biological age.”
So next time you think about sitting for longer periods of time, remember that you are not helping your short and long-term health
Ways to combat being too sedentary:
- Find hobbies and interests that involve being active.
- Join a Gym and actually make a point of going.
- Hang around with people who are active. They say you become who you’re around.
Bad Nutrition
Unhealthy foods and beverages are bad for our bodies and consuming endless toxins is a recipe for disaster.
There is a long list of bad nutritional choices, with the most common ones being junk food and sweets.
Unfortunately, some things are just too irresistible for our taste buds to avoid all time, but moderation is better than excessive consumption.
Sugar, alcohol, junk food, red meats and processed foods, in general, all contribute to accelerated aging and not in how to improve your health and wellbing. The issue is peer pressure and convenience, which is not improving in a good way any time soon. However; it is possible to turn back the clocks and make better choices.
You can start by doing these few things:
- Try to avoid bad nutrition altogether.
- Buy more natural foods that help you look younger.
- Eat smaller meals.
It is up to you to find ways on how to improve your health and live better and longer.
Remember that a healthy life is a happy life.