In 2015, only around 12% of the world population was aged 60 or above. In less than three decades from now, the number of elderly citizens worldwide is expected to grow to 22%. That would mean, the number will nearly double.
As we get older, the amount of attention we pay to our health needs to increase. In addition to watching what we eat and how much we exercise, another integral part of body care surprisingly concerns our personal look.
A recent paper published by Brazilian scientist indicates that our perception of physical beauty has a significant impact on our health. In fact, looking good will not only make you feel good about yourself, but it will also slow down the aging process significantly, especially in women. If you want to begin aging gracefully, keep reading!
Common Aging Health Issues
In order to maintain a good look and start aging gracefully, first you need to know what are you against. Here are some of the most common health issues your body will experience as you age…
- Unexpected Weight Gain
As you age, you start losing muscle mass, In turn, this makes keeping the pounds off a lot harder. What’s worse, your body burns a lot fewer calories from the same physical activities.
- Patchy Hair All Over the Body
Another clear sign of aging is hair becoming sparse. For men, hair loss happens often in adulthood, for women, their eyebrows become more sparse.
- Being More Prone to Bruising
When your body becomes older, your blood vessels become more fragile. In some cases, something like a slight bump can result in a large, purple bruise on your body.
What to Avoid Latter in Life
Whether you suffer from dry spots on the skin or lower back pain, there’s a good chance you can easily get rid of them with a few small lifestyle changes. Here’s what you need to know about aging gracefully…
- If You Smoke Stop Right Now
Have you ever been an active smoker? If you have, you will probably age quicker than your no-smoking friends. Tobacco speeds up the aging process, makes the skin dry, and gives you wrinkles in the mouth area.
- Say No to Excess Sunbathing
Spending a lot of time in the sun may do wonders for your complexion, however, it won’t do anything to keep you young. In fact, staying out in the sun between 10 AM and 2 PM can have an opposite effect on your body.
- Stop Avoiding Sunscreen
Speaking of sun, you need to stop forgetting sunscreen when you’re out and about. Sunscreen will not only help you keep your tan in check, but will also protect your body from the negative effects of the sun and prevent premature aging.
5 Beauty Tips as You Grow Older
Maintaining a great look as you age is not about trying to look like a 20-year-old. It’s about aging gracefully. Below you have five simple things you can do to look perfect for your age…
- Try Out Different Skin Treatments
Ironing out small skin problems can do wonders for your look. As Dr. Afschin Ghofrani explains, Botox injections and facelifts can ease the wrinkles in the upper part of your face. What’s more, chemical peels can remove freckles and lines around the mouth and eyes and give you the perfect look you’re looking for.
- Start Watching Your Diet More Carefully
The food you ingest plays a huge role in your health, mood, and more importantly, appearance. No matter how old you are, your diet should be rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and seafood. On the other hand, you should go out of your way to avoid sugar, red meat, and processed foods altogether. These foods will only leave you feeling anxious and speed up your aging process.
- Lower Your Stress Levels to a Minimum
Feeling overly stressed will not only have a toll on your mental health, but it will also impair your physical health in the long run and won’t allow you to start aging gracefully. There are many negative effects of stress on the body, this includes premature aging, more wrinkles, and increased heart disease risk. How to get rid of stress? There are more than a few ways:
- Use relaxation techniques like yoga and meditation
- Talk to a confidant or a professional therapist
- Start working in the evening out before going to bed
There even more scientifically ways to relieve stress out there, so we advise you to look into it.
- Always Try to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
A lack of quality sleep will show sings of aging on your face and in turn, make you perceive yourself as older and less attractive. According to Aestheticon Clinic, the amount of sleep directly correlates with the opinion of yourself. That’s why you need to have at least 8 hours of sleep every night. The National Sleep Foundation recommends you should sleep 9 hours whenever you can.
- Visit Your Dentist Every 3 to 6 Months
Do your teeth look stained from excessive amounts of coffee and tea? When was the last time you visited your dentist? If you haven’t done it lately, we recommend now’s the perfect time to start going to the dentist’s office more regularly. As you age, your gums will naturally recess. This will cause your teeth to look larger. To slow this process down, you should visit the dentist at least two times a year if you want to start aging gracefully.
Start Taking Care Of Yourself Today
Remember: aging gracefully has as much to do with feeling young as it has with being healthy and wrinkle-free. In order to stay beautiful and fight the signs of aging, you need:
- To remain in peak physical shape and eat healthy
- Do everything you can to keep your skin in peak condition
- Stay active, engaged, and surrounded by people you love
By doing all of the things above, you’ll be able to start aging gracefully and maintain a great look for as long as you wish.
