Aging is a natural process that everyone experiences, but it brings a mixed bag of emotions for many people. Although getting older comes with wisdom and maturity, no one wants to look or feel older than their current age. However, things that you do on a daily basis might be aging you prematurely. Here are some everyday habits that speed up the aging process and how you can change them.
Neglecting Your Sleep Schedule
How much shuteye do you get each night? If you stay up late and get up before the sun, you’re accelerating the aging process. During the deep stages of sleep, your body regenerates damaged cells and secretes human growth hormone. This nightly renewal process helps keep you healthy and youthful, and missing too much sleep can lead to premature aging.
To make things worse, sleep quality tends to decline with age. Older adults experience more episodes of disturbed sleep, circadian rhythm alterations and increased incidence of sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea. Staying on top of sleep hygiene can help you beat age-related sleep problems.
Staying Stressed Out
You already know that bad habits like smoking and tanning beds can add years to your face, but did you know that stress can also age you beyond your years? When you feel stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol from your adrenal glands. While a small amount of cortisol is required for essential bodily functions, too much can have a negative impact on your health.
Weight gain, hypertension, depression, inflammation and osteoporosis are just a few of the effects of excessive cortisol. Too much cortisol can even make you look older by reducing your HGH levels and impeding collagen production. Stress also ages you by increasing the wrinkles and static lines on your face.
Poor Nutrition and Skipping Workouts
As you get older, it gets harder and harder to keep off those pesky pounds. Eating too many calories and putting on excess weight is one of the most common ways that people age prematurely. However, a healthy BMI doesn’t automatically mean there is nothing wrong with your diet.
Here are a few anti-aging powerhouses to incorporate into your eating plan:
- Fruits and vegetables for antioxidants
- Lean protein to build muscle mass
- Healthy fats for collagen production
- Fiber-rich foods to reduce bloating
- Leafy greens to bulk up your meals
Don’t waste your energy-boosting breakfast by pulling the covers back over your head. Exercise is another effective age-fighting habit you should fit into your daily routine. Working out not only improves your cardiovascular health and increases muscle mass but also boosts your HGH levels.
Whether you choose intense cardio, heavy lifting or a brisk run, moving your body and flexing your muscles helps keep levels of youth-boosting human growth hormone from dropping as you age. Adequate HGH levels are important for maintaining a healthy, fit body and plump, wrinkle-free skin as you grow older.
Ignoring Your Hormonal Health
Speaking of hormones, ignoring your hormonal health is one of the top mistakes that people make as they get older. Aging causes a gradual decline of hormones, including estrogen, testosterone, and human growth hormone. Healthy habits can go a long way when it comes to reducing the depletion of these hormones, but sometimes it’s not enough.
If you’re concerned about your hormonal health, contact a trusted healthcare provider to find the right solutions for you. They can help you supplement your hormones with the best human growth hormone for sale and supervise your progress to help you get optimal results without compromising your health and safety.
You can’t stop the clock when it comes to aging, but you can slow down the process. Improving your lifestyle and swapping bad habits for healthy ones can help you stay active and youthful as the years go by. When you incorporate changes slowly and stay consistent, you can keep your mind and body in shape for the long haul.