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In addition to not getting enough exercise, there are a number of daily habits that can make you seriously aging in noticeable and invisible ways.
Here are five habits that could speed up the aging process – that is, habits that you should definitely avoid.
1. Holding on to grudges
Holding on to anger and resentment will affect you, inside and out. A study published in 2011 linked it to an increase in stress hormones (known as cortisol ).
When hormones are out of balance for a prolonged period, chronic stress can accelerate cellular aging and potentially increase the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Avoid socialization
While physical activity is known to help you stay in shape in your earlier years, experts add that intellectual activity is often overlooked.
People who remain isolated can become more susceptible to cognitive decline. Interacting with people is a form of exercise for your brain that can help keep it stimulated.
Experts explain that it is not just food and exercise that is important.
The social world we live in is really important. Social connectivity and friendships are healthy both within peers, within a family, between generations.
3. Reduce fat from your diet
A certain amount of fat is required in your diet according to nutritionists; so these should not be completely eliminated.
The heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish and certain nuts keep skin supple and robust, preventing wrinkles, as well as increasing heart and brain health .
On the other hand, added sugars can contribute to skin aging, nutritionists warn.
Remember to cut down and avoid processed foods whenever possible.
4. Staying up late at night
During a good night’s rest, your body works to remove dead blood cells and dead brain cells, and clears pathways for new synapses to occur so that new blood and brain cells can replace old ones.
Dermatologists recommend adequate sleep to avoid harmful effects such as dark circles, dehydrated skin, increased wrinkles, etc.
A recent study even suggested that staying up at night regularly can increase the risk of metabolic dysfunction and dying sooner.
5. Develop the habit of smoking
Smoking can cause obvious signs of aging by damaging various parts of the body, from the lungs to the skin to the teeth.
Since people have to purse their mouths while smoking, the repetitive motion can cause wrinkles around the mouth over a period of time. Even if you are not a smoker, being exposed to tobacco smoke can also make you old.
Smoke carries more reactive oxygen species, also known as free radicals, in the skin, which destroy the molecules around them.