5 Bad Habits That Age You No ratings yet.

Unless you’re part of the under-21 crowd, the chances are, you’d like to look younger than your real age.  As we get older, it can seem like our bodies take a turn for the worse and begin their inevitable decline.  But, there are people out there who look younger than they are – and those who look beyond their years.  So, how can you be sure that you’re following the habits that will have you aging like Peter Pan?  Well, there are some key things to avoid.  Here are 5 bad habits that age you that you should plan to keep out of your routine.

Bad Habits That Age You

  1. Neglecting To Exercise

Although it may seem counterintuitive, it may be better to put some wear and tear on your body to be sure that you’re going to last a long time.  And, while very harsh exercise can have a negative effect on you (there’s a syndrome called “runner’s face,” where too much exercise breaks down collagen in your skin), most of the time you’re going to get a youthful benefit.  Actually, exercising, stretching, and maintaining your muscles and ligaments will keep you limber, longer.  So, don’t forget to get sweaty, three times a week.

  1. Smoking

Is it any surprise that there are even more cons to smoking than you already knew about?  Really, smoking may cause heart disease, cancer, hypertension, and more.  But, your skin is just as much under attack when you puff on that cigarette.  Smoking prevents oxygen from getting to your skin cells, and that can cause discoloration.  And, the constant puckering of your lips and squinting of your eyes can cause deep wrinkles.  As if you needed another reason to put down the smokes, you can be sure that this earns a spot in the top 5 bad habits that age you.

  1. Not Getting Enough Sleep

Since around a third of adults in the United States don’t get enough sleep, chances are you’re guilty of this one.  Lack of sleep is included in the bad habits that age you because it can really wreak havoc on your body in every way.  Not only do people who don’t get enough sleep suffer from unattractive dark circles under their eyes, but some even experience more illnesses, weight gain, and other unfortunate side effects.  If you do get your Z’s, make sure you’re sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase.  Other fabrics can pull at your skin at night, causing stretching over time.

  1. Drinking A Little Too Much

You know that alcohol is no miracle elixir.  And, it probably only took one awful morning after a college bash for you to figure it out.  But, alcohol doesn’t just mess up your head and stomach – it can be a beast to your skin.  Alcohol is a diuretic, so you can easily get dehydrated while drinking it.  And, that saps moisture from your skin, and also aggravates skin conditions like rosacea.  So, if you’re looking to remain young and beautiful, you may want to save the margaritas for a special occasion.

  1. Eating Bad Foods

Okay, so it’s probably pretty obvious why this one made the list of bad habits that age you.  After all, you know that junk food can make you overweight, which in turn can cause you to look older or damage your inner organs.  But, one of the other problems with junk food is that it can be inflammatory.  Inflammatory substances, like red meat, white bread, and processed foods may accentuate wrinkles.  Instead, you want to prevent aging by snacking on foods with lots of omega-3 fatty acids.  And, don’t forget your fruits and vegetables.  Mama always knew best!

When it comes to the bad habits that age you, some of them are pretty obvious.  However, when you look at your daily routine, the chances are that you are committing at least one of these aging sins.  So, how can you kick your curse?  Adopt a youthful life focus, and remind yourself what your goal is.  That way, when you’re tempted by the cocktails, you’ll have a strong reason for saying “no” after just one.  And, don’t forget to look in the mirror and remind yourself how beautiful you are.  We could all use some encouragement from ourselves.  After all, the best way to avoid getting old is by staying young at heart!

Rebecca Thompson
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