We all want to stay young for as long as possible, both for our health and our appearance. A scientific team tested around 1,000 38-year-olds and found that some of them were as fit as they were in their 20s, while others seemed to have the health conditions of seniors. According to the study, genetics account for only about 20% of how people age, while environmental and lifestyle factors play a much larger role.
We’ve gathered these awesome beauty hacks to help you stay younger looking for longer.
1. Manage your stress level.
Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn found out that telomeres (the ends of chromosomes) are actually responsible for the aging processes in our cells. The shorter our telomeres are, the faster we age. Chronic stress leads to shorter telomeres, which is why it is important to manage your stress levels.
Meditation is one of the best ways to lower your stress levels and feel more relaxed. It also helps to prevent the shortening of telomeres. Sign up for a yoga class and learn to let go of negative situations and thoughts.
2. Surround yourself with people you like.
Blackburn’s research has also proven that people who live in safe and friendly communities have longer telomeres. So invest in your neighborhood and take advantage of it.
Another study showed that married people and those who maintain old friendships also have longer telomeres, which means that they grow older a little bit slower than others. Some research has indicated that the optimum number of friends we need for staying healthy is six.
3. Eat less, live longer.
Caloric restriction, which basically means eating less, without malnutrition can slow down human metabolism and help us stay young longer. Researchers observed two groups of monkeys for two years. They came to the conclusion that monkeys which were on a low-calorie diet lived longer and stayed healthier.
You can also adjust your diet. Try to avoid all types of processed foods because phosphates added to processed foods accelerate the aging process. Instead, make sure to include anti-aging foods in your diet like blueberries, dark chocolate, nuts, figs, salmon, avocado, turmeric, etc. By doing so, you’ll lower your risk of heart disease, protect your skin and vision, support cognitive function, and improve gut health.
A recent study from the University of Scranton showed that walnuts contain the most anti-aging antioxidants. Eating just 3 walnuts a day will help you stay healthier and younger-looking. Also, try to limit your intake of added sugars and stop drinking soda and alcohol.
4. Rack your brain.
Exercising is important, but do not forget to train your brain. Read books, study foreign languages, and play games that involve mental activity. By making your brain actively work you can slow down the aging process. Recent studies showed that learning increases the number of neurons which helps the brain stay younger.
5. Switch to more natural cosmetics.
Try to wear less makeup because parabens used in cosmetics can disrupt estrogen and throw normal female fertility into premature aging. You can switch to more natural cosmetics instead. If you are a makeup junkie and just can’t wear it any less, make sure you clean your face well every day.
6. Spend around 15 minutes in the sun.
Nowadays all women’s magazines convince us that using SPF on the face is something we cannot skip even during the winter. Although Cancer Research UK suggests we spend around 15 minutes in the sun around midday without any sunscreen. This will help you to get vitamin D without the risk of getting skin cancer.
7. Dance more often.
A new study showed that dancing is one of the most effective types of exercise that can reverse the aging process. Dancing, especially continuously changing choreography, can boost the work of the hippocampus and help you slow down aging.
8. Go to bed one hour earlier.
Having the right sleep regimen is very important. Experts say that the sleep we get between the hours of 11 PM and 3 AM is responsible for nutrition and regeneration, which is why you should go to sleep at 11 PM or earlier. Ideally, a person should get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Chronic lack of sleep affects not only the way we feel, but also the way we look.
Harvard Medical School research showed that people who usually sleep for less than 7 hours and start to go to bed only one hour earlier had positive changes in blood pressure. It helped to lower the risk of stroke and heart attack.
9. Add more vitamins to your diet.
Antioxidants prevent free radicals caused by sun damage or smoking from damaging the cells in our bodies. One way to do this is to use face creams with antioxidants. The other way is to take them orally. The most powerful antioxidants that slow down aging are selenium, vitamin E, and vitamin C.
Consider adding fish oil or any other anti-inflammatory supplements to your diet. Fish oil is rich with omega-3 acids which improve the heart function, boost the immune system, and improve hair growth. Omega-3 is also great for maintaining younger looking skin.
