Aging occurs gradually over time. So too do some of the negative consequences that go hand in hand with the process. This, however, is a good thing. It allows time for us to make adjustments in our life that will better equip us for dealing with those changes. Take the time now and consider the following suggestions that will make your life easier.

Do not leave the house without sunscreen to avoid looking older faster. The UV radiation from the sun can severely damage your skin and it is a major contributor to how your face looks. Also know that too much sun exposure can lead to certain cancers so wear sunscreen every day.

Keeping mentally active will help one to age gracefully. Mental activities take longer as we grow older, but just like a muscle, the brain can be kept fit with activity. Some popular pastimes which encourage mental activity are suduko and crossword puzzles. Doing a puzzle a day can keep brain fog away.

Depression is a “hidden” risk for developing osteoporosis. Cortisol is a stress-related hormone related to depression that depletes the bones of minerals. Studies have shown that women with depression have lower bone density in their spines and hips. So, if you’re feeling down, see your doctor to find out if you have depression.

Get a tea break into your daily routine. Teas have some fabulous benefits when it comes to age prevention. They are chock full of healthy antioxidants and other cancer-battling ingredients. Plus the break itself can be an amazing stress reliever in its own right. Tea breaks are one of the healthiest habits you can form!

Do protect your skin against wrinkles and cancer by wearing proper sunblock but don’t over do it to the extent that you deprive yourself of much needed vitamin D! As much harm as too much sun can do, too little of it can also hurt you so find a suitable SPF that will prevent damage without completely prohibiting your intake of highly beneficial sunlight!

Staying properly hydrated has never been more important to you than now! Aging is hard on the body and providing it with plenty of water will help flush toxins, bring nutrients to cells, hydrate skin and make it easier on every function of your body! Most experts recommend about eight glasses of water each day, so drink up for healthier aging!

A key element to staying young and looking young is to get plenty of sleep. Not only is it important on how you look each day, but it is critical to feeling your best. Everyone’s ideal amount of sleep is different so determine when you feel best after different lengths of sleep over a week.

Go out with friends and family. One of the worst things to do as you start to get older is to isolate yourself in your home. Make sure you get out a few times a week for anything: to volunteer, to have lunch or any of hundreds of possibilities. Going out and seeing others has a great effect on your mental health.

Try having a glass of red wine with dinner each night. There’s a chemical found in red wine called resveratrol that has excellent anti-aging properties. But remember you should only drink alcohol in moderation. Drinking a moderate amount of red wine has also been shown to reduce your risk for heart problems.

A good way to reduce the impact of lines around the eyes is to wear sunglasses. Not only does this prevent squinting and causing crows feet, but sunglasses block the sun from hitting those high wrinkle areas and damaging the skin. So wearing sunglasses has a dual effect on the anti-aging process.

As you become older you will start to find parts of your body not working as well as they used to. For some things, it is possible to take medication but for others, you will simply have to accept these facts. It can be hard to accept but the faster you do the easier it will be for you.

Focus on the things you can do and the things you like to do. Aging can be frustrating because you begin to be unable to do the things that you once did. That can’t be changed, but your attitude can. Keep your focus on the things you are still able to do and then do them!

Alzheimer’s disease is a common disease. Recognizing it early is the best defense in slowing the disease down. The likelihood of getting Alzheimer’s disease increases with risk factors as having a family history of the disease, Down’s Syndrome, serious head injury in the past or being over 65 years of age.

By accepting the fact that we are aging and that certain changes will accompany the aging process, we can better prepare for those changes. The tips outlined above should help us on our way to doing just that. Whether we need to establish certain habits or make changes in our living situation, the time to do it is now.

Don’t Want To Be Defined By Your Age? was originally published on Spring