There’s a joke going around on the internet like this: Young-looking millennials More than them, I look at this comment and think… “My back pain doesn’t agree with that.”
Jokes aside, there’s a lot of emphasis on “looking young,” but what about feeling young? How to stay young at heart, even if your hardware breaks?
Let’s talk about that today.
Here are nine habits to quit if you want to stay youthful as you age.
1) Sitting
For hours SittingAre you standing for less time than recommended? Are you exercising?
You’re probably living a sedentary lifestyle, and if you want to stay youthful, that’s something you need to stop.
HealthPartners defines it as:“The precise definition of a sedentary lifestyle is spending more than six hours a day sitting or lying down and not getting enough physical activity in your daily life.
This may be a familiar pattern: many office workers, for example, sit in front of their computers all workday and then wind down with the TV or their phone before going to sleep. It’s an easy habit to fall into, but it’s not without its risks.”
These risks primarily include health-related risks such as diabetes and heart disease, with fatigue and stress also high on the list.
So, if you feel burdened, can you ever feel young?
2) Lack of sleep
“Lack of sleep can interfere with your work, school, driving and social life. It can interfere with your ability to learn, concentrate and react.”
You may also have difficulty judging other people’s emotions and reactions. Lack of sleep can also make you irritable, moody, and anxious in social situations.” What is sleep deprivation? What is deficiency? | National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Lack of sleep Forms of ill-treatment and tortureyou know that’s bad. Really bad.
And yet, some of us do it to ourselves. So if you want to stay youthful as you get older, sleep well and enough.
On a personal note, I have insomnia so I know how awful it is to not get enough sleep. You feel sluggish and disoriented, sluggish and sleepy all day. It’s a heavy feeling.
Not to mention the health risks. Johns Hopkins Medicine “Although lack of sleep can be a nuisance from time to time, it is not a health risk.”
“But chronic lack of sleep can increase your chances of developing dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and even breast, colon, ovarian and prostate cancer.”
Makes you want to go to bed early, right?
3) Excessive alcohol intake
The drinking I am referring to is Social drinkingWe’re talking about high levels that reach problematic levels, debilitating levels, levels where you can’t function without alcohol.
If you want to stay youthful as you age, drink alcohol in moderation.
from who“Drinking alcohol is associated with an increased risk of developing non-communicable diseases such as liver disease, heart disease and various types of cancer, as well as mental health and behavioral disorders such as depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorder.”
4) Smoking
If you want to stay looking youthful as you age, consider quitting smoking.
If you are a smoker, you already know the risks associated with smoking. If you are not a smoker, don’t start smoking. It’s not worth it.
Let me talk about some of the risks involved.
- Increased risk of coronary artery disease.
- The risk of stroke increases.
- It increases the risk of lung cancer, but also cancers in other parts of the body.
- Deterioration in overall health.
- It may reduce fertility.
- It may affect bone health.
For a complete list, see here Tobacco Use Fact Sheet From the CDC.
5) Not eating a balanced diet
If you want to stay youthful as you age, Eat a balanced diet.
More protein, more fiber, less sugar, less saturated fat. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet.
Reduce your sugar intake wherever possible. Drink more water.
And, yes, I understand that eating healthy can put a strain on your budget when “unhealthy” foods are cheaper, but there are plenty of resources out there for cooking healthy meals on a budget.
You don’t need to start incorporating all these healthy foods at once; just start little by little.
6) Unable to cope with stress levels
If you want to stay youthful as you age, you need to manage your stress.
Mayo Clinic says“Stress symptoms can affect your body, thoughts, emotions and behavior. Knowing the common symptoms of stress can help you manage it.”
If unaddressed, stress can lead to many health problems, including high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity and diabetes.”
To say that stress is a burden is an understatement – it can feel like your body is constantly in fight-or-flight mode and you can’t function at your best.
If left unchecked, they can also pose health risks.
7) Not drinking enough water
If you want to stay youthful as you age, you need to drink water regularly.
Drinking the recommended amount of water has many benefits, including: Maximize your physical performanceWhen you’re dehydrated, you’re not going to perform at your best.
Imagine doing that for years to come, and imagine the toll it would take on your body.
8) Not having regular check-ups
If you want to maintain a youthful appearance as you age, pay attention to your health. Instead of going to the hospital only when you feel something is wrong or get sick, get regular health checkups.
We know this isn’t a completely feasible or affordable option for everyone, but if possible, look for free clinics or free screening options in your area.
9) No life outside of work
If you want to stay youthful as you age, you need to strike a good work-life balance.
Working hard is great. There are goals to achieve, things to earn. You may have to climb the ladder or expand your business. That’s great.
But we also need a life outside of work. We need to socialize. We need to rest. We need to work and play in equal amounts.
It also helps keep your mind sharp, which is important for feeling youthful.
Summer Health says“Socializing constantly stimulates and exercises the mind, stimulating brain activity and strengthening neural pathways that help prevent cognitive decline. In fact, studies have shown that older adults who socialize regularly have better working memory, processing speed, and verbal fluency.”
Final thoughts
The best time to change a bad habit was yesterday, and the next best time is today.
Changing bad habits isn’t easy, but if you want to stay youthful as you age, you should at least try.
Life is long and it’s short, and going through the years not feeling your best doesn’t seem like much fun. Of course, it would be irresponsible to think that this is not idealistic, but what else can you do?
Do you feel old as you get older? Do you lose the beauty of your youth? Do you lose sight of the things that once brought you joy? Do your daily tasks take precedence?
Staying young at heart may be idealistic, but it’s something I want to hold onto.
what about you?
Did you like my article? Like me on Facebook to see more just like it in your feed.
