They say that “old age is not for sissies,” and “they” are not kidding. The aging process is unavoidable and often difficult. Aging well is more than a matter of endurance and determination, though. You can live a longer and healthier life by making a few reasonable preparations for the inevitable aging process. Read the tips below for ways to make the journey more pleasant.

Sugar has been proven to have an aging affect. You don’t have to cut it out of your life completely, but definitely cut back on it. It has been shown to actually reduce the lifespan in multiple studies. Stick with foods that are naturally sweet like fruits to help your sweet cravings.

Aging can have many undesirable effects on the body. Nobody looks forward to the obvious signs of aging. To keep your appearance looking younger and more youthful, stay away from recreational drugs and alcohol. These substances can have a devastating effect on skin, hair and teeth, making a person look much older than their biological age. They can damage the internal organ systems as well, so hold on to your youth and steer clear!

Switch away from real dairy to dairy substitutes like soy or almond milk. There have been quite a few studies linking dairy products with aging skin. If you want to avoid wrinkles as you age, put down the dairy. The substitutes that are on the market are healthy and tasty so give them a shot.

Reduce your calorie intake. Scientific studies show that what and how much you eat may affect the years and quality of your life. Specifically, animal research indicates that restricting calories up to 40 percent fewer than normal have a beneficial effect on the markers of aging and disease. Keep in mind that not every species has shown this improvement and studies on humans, and other primates are still ongoing.

Take every opportunity that you have to tell the people that you love that you love them. You do not want to have any regrets on your deathbed about not telling a certain person that you loved them when you had the chance. Let them all know you care while you can.

Most everyone is lacking one vitamin or another, but one vitamin that most people, especially those that are aging don’t get enough of is Vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your internal health as well as your well-being, so to age gracefully, begin by getting a little sunlight each day, which is the best source of Vitamin D. It is also acceptable to supplement with foods high in Vitamin D as well as vitamin supplements.

The skin naturally looses its elasticity as people age. Sometimes aging people notice baggy knees as a part of this process. Baggy knees can be combated with simple shallow squats to help strengthen the quadriceps. Do not overdo it and begin slowly with two sets. As you become more skilled, add another set. Do the squats daily.

If you are going to be going out in the summer, make sure to apply a coat of sunscreen to your face and neck. The sun can have damaging affects if you are exposed for a long time and can lead to leathery skin in the future. Apply a coat of sunscreen to slow down the aging process.

Go easy on alcohol. Moderate drinking has been claimed to lower the risk of heart problems and other ailments. For older people, “moderate” means one drink for men and half a drink for women a day. A “drink” is defined as either 12 ounces of beer, 6 ounces of wine, or 1 ounce of hard liquor. To avoid drug interactions, ask your doctor if any alcohol is safe.

Make sure that you only do things that make you happy. This might be common sense, but for many people, it is easier said than done. When you are in your advanced years, there is no reason why you should waste your remaining years on trivial matters that make you unhappy. Be selective on what you think about, and make the rest of your life as happy as possible.

A great way to slow the aging process and keep feeling young is to make health your hobby. Try keeping a journal of the foods you eat and evaluate it at the end of the week to see how healthy you are eating and work on not only eating better but eating properly for a longer life.

Growing older is one trial that you know with certainty you will have to face. It is never too early to start learning about the aging process and preparing yourself for it. A few helpful hints like the ones presented above can help you cope with aging by staying healthy and happy as the years roll on.

The Absolute Essentials Of Growing Older With Grace was originally published on Spring