We’re all searching for the fountain of youth, so what are some things you can do to prevent aging aside from SPF? Well, in a recent podcast episode, I talked to Board Certified Nurse Practitioner Jenn Hollander about real tips for prevention and healthy aging. Your lifestyle, what you consume and your daily habits can, believe it or not, really impact your overall wellbeing. What’s happening internally will manifest externally. So, here are some unexpected lifestyle factors that can contribute to accelerated aging
Smoking and alcohol
When we’re young, we think we’re invincible. We don’t realize that what we’re doing today can have a huge impact on our overall health. Drinking too much and smoking accelerates aging tremendously. Similarly to sun exposure, what we do in our early lives can show up later in life.
High levels of stress
It’s no surprise that stress is a huge contributing factor to not only our overall health, but the aging process as well. Did you know that stress can cause wrinkles? The stress hormone, cortisol, can break down the skin’s collagen and elastin – no thank you!
Not having social support
Studies show that having a network of social support can improve our overall ability to deal with stress. Talking to a friend or family member can increase oxytocin levels which helps to combat cortisol levels. So, if you had a bad day or are dealing with a stressful situation, pick up the phone and call a friend.
Not enough sleep
A lot of things happen to our bodies while we sleep; our immune system gets stronger, our body releases toxins, and our hormones are regulated while we’re sleeping. Did you know that collagen is made while we’re sleeping as well? Additionally, sleep deprivation causes a decrease in blood flow to the skin around our face, leading to dullness and dryness. So, if you want to look younger and prevent premature aging, then don’t skimp on you sleep!
Poor skincare regimen
There’s no one size fits all approach to skincare, but you should have some sort of daily regimen. It doesn’t have to be complicated or require many products, but you should not be sleeping in your makeup. Try a gentle cleanser and look for moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, lactic acid, squalene and ceramides.
