STOP! These 5 Habits Could Age You Faster
(AscendHealthy)- While there is nothing we can do to keep time from passing, we do have control over the way we treat our bodies. We’d all like to believe we live a health-conscious lifestyle, but that simply isn’t always the case. Some of the things we subject ourselves to are actually making us look older than we really are.
Smoking
We probably don’t need to reiterate that smoking is bad for the body. Smoking deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients. People who smoke are more likely to end up with wrinkled skin, pigmentation issues, and stained teeth.
Tanning
Unless a person is using a bottled tanning product, tanning — at a salon or under the sun — is adding years to their appearance. Premature aging has been linked to sun exposure and can lead to the development of wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, and even melasma, which causes brownish-gray patches on the face. All of these skin conditions will make a person look older than they are. Stick to bottled products and don’t forget to wear sunscreen.
Not Sleeping
Sleep is not overrated. Over time, sleep deprivation can have a major impact on a person’s body and overall health. The dark bags under the eyes don’t do anyone’s looks any favors, either. Aim for the recommended eight hours per night and talk to a doctor if it seems impossible to nod off at bedtime.
Drinking
While some types of alcohol are touted as having heart benefits, those who have nightly glasses of wine are aging faster. Why? Alcohol dehydrates the body and makes the skin look dry and dull. Dehydration may also impact collagen production, which means a person may develop wrinkles faster. Alcohol also impacts the body’s sleep cycle. Limit your alcohol intake to slow the aging process down a bit.
Too Much Coffee
The horrors, right? While a cup or two a day may give a person an energy boost, we should avoid living off of coffee all day long. It’s dehydrating and can stain the teeth, both of which contribute to a haggard effect.
Age creeps up on everyone, but there are things we can do to protect our appearance so we don’t look older than we really are. The better we care for ourselves, the more youthful we’ll look.
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