4 Everyday Habits That Contribute to Premature Aging

Your everyday habits play a crucial role in the aging process. From what you eat and what you do every day can affect your health.

I wish I was a scientist who could create a magic pill that can instantly add years to my life. But I can only fantasize about it.

Just about everyone wants to maximize their time on this earth and live as many years as possible. But far too many people don’t pay attention to the little habits and make mistakes that lead to premature aging.

Just as it’s important to exercise and eat healthily, it is also crucial to stay away from unhealthy habits that can take away years from your life. These habits can sap your power and vitality, in addition to making you look older than your biological age.

There are so many factors that can affect the aging process — diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and sun exposure. If you don’t pay attention to them, they can take years from your life and contribute to premature aging.

Picture a 90-year-old who can push a grocery cart effortlessly or a 50-year-old who can easily pass for a 30-year-old. If you think it’s their genes, think again. It’s their habits. People who defy their age stay young and healthy by paying close attention to their habits.

As someone who’s always looked younger than my age, people used to throw me a compliment saying “You don’t look like your age.” But it’s not the genes behind my healthy skin and body — it’s the habits I follow that help me look my best.

So what’s the secret behind longevity? There’s no magic elixir or fountain of youth — at least not that I know of — that can increase your lifespan. It’s a person’s lifestyle that makes them look like they’re on a cover of Vogue magazine and feel like they have a boundless supply of energy. Genetics plays a certain part, but ultimately it’s your habits that control your aging process. That means the choices you make every day will affect your biological age.

Let’s look at 4 of the most common mistakes that contribute to premature aging.

Sun exposure

The sun’s rays can cause your skin to age prematurely. It’s called photoaging and can lead to cancer. That’s why you need to protect your skin from the sun.

You may wonder what are the signs of photoaging? It can be sagging skin or wrinkles, age spots, freckles, decreased skin elasticity, rough and uneven skin texture, spider veins around the nose or chest, redness, and blotchiness.

Having this in mind, it’s crucial when you go out in the sun to protect your skin with sunblock. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, you should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, has an SPF of 30 or higher, and is water-resistant.

Excessive sugar consumption

Eating too much sugar can make you age faster. That’s because sugar affects all the cells in the body.

Sugar is a toxin for your body. Not only will it put you at risk for developing serious health conditions, but it can also take a toll on your skin. Regular consumption of sugar can also increase your risk of developing metabolic disease and accelerate cell aging.

In one study published in Science Daily, researchers found that drinking sugary drinks contributes to cell aging. It’s especially important to stay away from sugary beverages such as soda and sugary foods such as candy and pastries that pack calories and no nutrition.

Too much stress

Uncontrolled stress can wreak havoc on your body by aging your skin cells. According to Harvard Health, chronic stress impacts each cell of the body at the genetic level.

Every cell carries chromosomes — the genetic composition of your cell that has telomeres at the end of the chromosomes. Over time, these telomeres can get shorter with exposure to stress, and that’s when the cell dies. People that have shorter telomeres have a higher chance of developing heart disease and cancer.

That’s why you need to be in control of your stress and be mindful of how much stress you allow in your life. If you lead a highly stressed lifestyle, learn ways to relax your mind and body. Practicing yoga, meditation, and exercise can help you curb your stress levels.

Lack of sleep

When it comes to health, sleep is crucial. According to the National Sleep Foundation, on average, adults should get between 7–9 hours of sleep every night. Sadly, most Americans don’t get enough sleep due to their overly hectic and stressful lifestyle.

If you want to stay young and healthy, you’d better make sure you get enough sleep. Don’t underestimate the power of sleep. Make sleep a priority in life.

Sleep regulates your hormones, memory function, muscle recovery, metabolism, and overall stress level. Lack of sleep can adversely affect your health and lead to anxiety, depression, weight gain, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The bottom line

To maintain health and promote longevity, it’s important not only to follow a healthy diet and exercise but also to practice good habits. Little unhealthy habits can affect your health and contribute to premature aging. If you want to maximize your health and live longer, make sure you protect yourself from the sun, cut down on sugar consumption, control stress levels, and get enough sleep.