Things You Can Do To Slow Down The Aging Process

Isn’t it funny? When we are young, we always aspire to be older. But once we reach a certain age, it becomes the reverse and we start thinking about how to look and feel young again. The bad news, of course, is that the clock can’t be reversed. The good news is that aging can be counteracted to a certain extent, and this article discusses a few of those things.

Since aging is a complex process that involves many areas of your body, it’s unlikely that any one product or pill could cure all of the issues that come with aging. In some ways that is good as it forces you to think about the process more and pay attention to your health. There are certainly things you can do that not only will help you age more slowly, but will improve your quality of life.

One: Exercise

No surprises there, since this is, after all, a health and fitness blog. If you can, put in a bit of exercise every day – and it does not have to be intense workouts too. Exercise improves appetite, makes healthy bones, gives you a better emotional outlook and improves digestion and circulation. Exercise also makes you stronger and helps you lose weight. So why not?

Two: Eat Well

Eat a varied and healthy diet. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods. By the way, this is not advice for seniors only – everyone can benefit from a healthy diet. Fibre, calcium, iron, magnesium and vitamins all play a part in keeping your body functioning at its best. Drink lots of fluids to maintain healthy skin and flush out waste. Eating right will help you maintain a healthy weight as well – what a bonus!

On this note, top up the antioxidants in your body. These are found in a full-range of fruits and vegetables, as well as fish. Although our bodies produce its own antioxidants, the production level deteriorates over time because of environmental factors and through the natural aging process.

Three: Stress Management

Stress is a part of everyday life. Just like death and taxes, there is no way to escape stress. Develop ways to help you cope and adjust to situations in your life that may cause stress for you. While it is true that certain situations can and will be problematic, the way you respond does count. Being in a chronic state of stress can make you age more quickly, so that’s something else to stress about.

Four: A Strong Mindset

It is really sad to see some people living in fear and worry when they don’t have to. A worried mind is not at peace and robs you of zest and energy which you need to maintain youthfulness. Instead, look for ways to improve overall well-being and enthusiasm for life. Embrace curiosity, creativity and humour.

Five: Connect

Don’t you find it sad that when young adults progress with age, they interact with less and less people? This is unhealthy because one might feel isolated and helpless in times of need. Instead of losing your contacts, try to establish and keep strong relationships. Maintaining close ties to your family and friends are crucial to healthy aging.

Six: Stop Smoking (If You Do)

A fear of premature aging is one of the best motivators to quitting smoking. If possible, you should also try and avoid second-hand smoke. Smoking has very damaging effects on your body and dramatically increases your risk of getting cancer and heart disease. We all have heard about people who smoke and are very old, but don’t take your chances.

Seven: Sun Protection

This is something which a lot of people neglect. We should all use sunscreen to prevent sunburn, especially if you live in a warm climate like Australia. Professionals agree that one of the most significant factors contributing to aging is chronic inflammation of the skin. Not wanting skin cancer is also another reason to do this.

Eight: Seek Medical Care When Required

As one ages, their bodies are not as resilient as they once was. So it is wise to seek prompt medical care when you’re ill or injured. Listen to your body and take care of any little problems before they become big problems. If something does not feel right, then most likely it isn’t. Get screened for diseases such as cancer and heart disease when you can.

Do all you can to be healthy and in doing so you will age slower. If you have any questions about products that claim to slow or reverse aging ask your doctor. He or she can help you sort through the information and get the facts. Also note that a lot of the tips above are generally for everyone. Here at Granite Fitness, our focus is on diet and nutrition. Don’t know where to begin? Try getting the Granite Fitness Masterclass.

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Also published on Medium.