By Angela Rightout , published Aug 9, 2019
Aging is inevitable. But there are things you can do to slow down or even hold back the process. Studies are showing that people are aging much slower than they were 20 years ago. Aging slowly has a lot to do with genetics. But that’s not all. There are many natural methods you can do to help yourself age healthy and slower. Read below for tips on how to stay looking young, longer.
Don’t leave home without your sunscreen. Not only does sunscreen help provide support against some skin cancers--but it also acts as an anti-aging tool. It slows premature skin aging. It protects skin from the harmful UVA rays which are the skin aging sun rays. It also protects the skin from UVB rays which are the skin burning rays. Also, if you use retinoids---see tip below, it is imperative to use sunscreen because retinoids make your skin susceptible to sunburn.
Retinoids are a topical skin lotion that is responsible for the ageless skin of many. Dermatologists say that retinoids treat acne, help reduce skin aging while firming the skin and reducing wrinkles. How do they work? Retinoids job is to increase your skin’s collagen production. Retinoids also stimulate the growth of new blood vessels while increasing the turnover rate of skin cells. This allows for fresher and newer skin cells helping your skin look its best. Retinoids are recommended for everyone by dermatologists to support healthy skin aging. Try our latest product to defy aging that is rich with Retinol- Enhydro Revive Facial Oil Serum.
You’d be surprised at how many over the counter anti-aging serums and anti-aging products contain harmful compounds that result in harm to your skin after long term use. Many of these products that promise false results contain petrolatum, mineral oils, paraffin and petroleum jelly. These compounds damage the skin over time resulting in aging skin as they block your body’s innate ability to restore and produce new skin cells.
But seabuckthorn contains over 190 biologically active nutrients that promote healthy aging and helps support your skin’s health. It has powerful antioxidants like vitamin E and beta carotene which fights wrinkles, skin dryness and symptoms of aging.
Studies also point out that sea buckthorn berry oil like SeabuckWonders Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil may promote cell tissue regeneration which is ideal for wound healing. A study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) states that sea buckthorn “firms and tones sagging skin smoothing out wrinkles,” key issues in those who appear to be aging.
Sleeping well and longer, a minimum of seven hours a day for 94 percent of adults is a major factor. Longer sleep is associated with longer telomeres. Telomeres are stretches of DNA that protect our genetic data. When our cells divide our telomeres get shorter and shorter until they get too short to divide any further and die. The process of shorter telomeres is associated with aging, cancer and high risk of death.
Although telomere shortening is linked to aging, it is, however, not yet understood if shorter telomeres are just a sign of aging like when the hair grays or if it’s being contributed to the cause of faster aging. But lack of sleep--six hours or less specifically, is linked to shorter telomeres. Depending on the age and other defying factors, results vary.
In 2005 a Harvard Medical School study conducted by Sara Lazara, she points out that people who meditate on a regular basis had more gray matter in the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is the area of the brain that makes executive decisions. The study determined that 50-year-old meditators had the same gray matter as 25-year-olds. Lazar conducted another study that stated that as little as eight weeks of meditation could lead to enhanced memory in the brain.
Exercise is a must for a healthy life. It helps fight disease while promoting mental and physical health. A 2018 study discovered that those who exercise regularly over their life-span had better heart health. They studied a small group of people in their 70s that had regular exercise over the course of their life.
These individuals had the cardiovascular health of people who were 30 years younger. Also, when compared to active people in their 20s, their muscles bared resemblance to the youth. Research shows that working out promotes healthy inflammation and reduces oxidative stress. These are two factors that age cells and shorten telomeres.
As mentioned, exercise has a huge impact on aging. But steady and consistent movements is important as well. It's believed that a sedentary lifestyle increases insulin resistance and cholesterol levels while damaging endothelial cells. Steady movement may promote healthy cholesterol levels.
Sometimes a sedentary lifestyle may be hard to avoid if you spend eight hours behind a desk, but there are ways around this issue. Take walks on your lunch break. If you work at a desk, spend at least two hours a day standing up and working or a combination of both.
Avoiding smoking and people who smoke around you is also an important factor for healthy aging. Smoking increases your exposure to oxidative stress. Lastly, find ways to deal with your stress and tension. It’s not surprising that stress ages you. Do what you have to do to make yourself happy and healthy.
Angela Rightout is an enthusiastic, innovative writer with extensive experience in content writing, journalism, videography and social media. She earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Loyola University Chicago. She is passionate about well-researched content.
Angela enjoys writing on a broad range of topics from health and wellness to food, technology, entertainment and news.