They say age is just a number, but the things we do could either cut our life short or make us feel older than we’re supposed to look. Aging is inevitable, and so are the factors that reduce the years we have left, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything to make the most of our time.
To live a longer and more active life, you need to adopt habits and the proper mindset. There’s no secret formula to that unless you click here and find out more about holistic healing for anxiety. Otherwise, there’s only this list of a few things that can make you look and feel younger for your age.
1. Set and commit to your life goals
From the food you eat to the fitness programs you subscribe to, basing your decisions on a definite future outcome helps you become more mindful of your time, health, and social capital.
Consider listing down the things you want to achieve for each successive year. From travel plans to relationship milestones, setting clear goals will motivate you to stay on the right track knowing that your life has a purpose.
2. Nurture your social circles
The people we spend our lives with play a crucial role in every aspect, from your finances to your career progression. Being in the right company also helps improve your mood. If you have a social circle you can trust and feel comfortable with, you become less anxious and the risk of depression decreases.
Look for ways to spend time with the people you love as much as possible. Help them out in their most desperate state and make valuable memories with them, whether it’s solving a problem together or finding a new hobby. Your social circle adds color to your life as much as it keeps you younger.
At the same time, try to avoid being with people who will take advantage of you. It doesn’t mean having to burn bridges, but when there are social connections that are unhealthy, setting boundaries will help preserve your peace.
3. Learn how to manage stress
When exposed to stressful situations, our bodies respond in various ways, one of which is resorting to destructive habits like smoking and drinking. These habits are known to raise the risk of cancer and liver damage, leading to a shortened lifespan.
Even if you’re not prone to self-destructive habits, stress can still take a toll on your body. The production of too much cortisol (a stress hormone) can lead to an increase in blood pressure, a weakened immune system, and the risk of diabetes.
Rather than let stress rule over you, become its master by taking up healthier and more effective coping mechanisms. Instead of smoking, try to gradually reduce your nicotine intake and chew sugar-free gum or sip a cup of ginger tea instead.
4. Go natural
Many people believe some of the ads they see online promise to raise life expectancy or treat any life-threatening disease like cancer. The truth is that some of these synthetic products can barely help secure your well-being.
Look for organic products to add to your diet. Stay away from processed foods from the department store and shop instead for food that’s available at your local farmer’s market. If you’re taking any drugs to treat certain illnesses, ask your doctor if there are other brands or products you can try out.
There are also numerous alternatives to anxiety medication. Making these simple changes can help slow down aging and, more importantly, keep you from poisoning your body.
5. Make the most of sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, getting less sleep can gradually cause the mind and body to deteriorate faster than normal. That’s because the time you’re in slumber is the perfect opportunity for your body to undergo a therapeutic process. This is when damaged cells are repaired so you can function at full capacity when you finally wake up.
When you consistently lack sleep and fall short of the nine hours required by your body, you deprive your cells of the repair and rest they need.
Lacking sleep causes hormonal imbalances that affect your metabolism. Having too many all-nighters in a month can cause your body to lose control of your appetite. This could also lead to unhealthy eating habits such as binge eating.
That could be the least of your problems because the hours of lost sleep that add up can affect your cognitive abilities. Even if you try to maintain a youthful glow, sleep deprivation can cause brain cells to deteriorate much faster. There’s also a great risk of heart attack and stroke.
Given the risks that lack of sleep poses, consider cutting the amount of coffee you drink each day and reduce the length of any naps you take. It also helps if you can develop a night time ritual to put you in the mood for some shut-eye.
6. Mind what you eat and keep moving
There’s generally nothing wrong with eating for comfort, but choosing what to eat is a different story. The type and volume of food you eat are closely associated with your life expectancy. When it comes to volume, it’s important to set limits on how much energy your body needs. Even eating too much of a good thing can cause considerable damage to your body, so regulate your meal portions.
Food quality is also a major factor. You don’t need to avoid eating meat and sugar altogether; instead, eat more of the nutrients that can naturally preserve healthy cells. Opt for foods rich in antioxidants such as omega-3 and resveratrol, most of which are found in certain fruits, vegetables, and seafood.
Alongside a proper diet plan, you must also take up a fitness routine with activities that lower the risk of premature death. Brisk walking, running laps, and swimming are just some of the best ways to keep your cells active and improve your mood, both of which do wonders in terms of longevity.
Endnote
There’s no trade secret to how you look and feel younger. If you want to make the most of your life with just enough energy to enjoy the best things it offers, then follow this guide and start adding more time to do the things you love.