Although growing old is a basic part of human nature, a large number of people tend to appear older than they actually are. You will be shocked to learn that your habits play a massive role in determining how you age, and whether your body and brain can remain youthful for long. Read on to find out the six main factors that contribute to faster ageing, and how you can overcome them.
1. Attitude
The human brain is extremely powerful as it has the ability to control emotions and even determine habits. As you might be aware, happiness and optimism help keep your body and mind rejuvenated, thus allowing you to maintain a youthful glow. People with negative attitudes are often unhappy, stressed out and anxious, leaving them prone to medical conditions such as high blood pressure. It goes without saying that constant frowns and scowls can contribute to wrinkle formation which, in most cases, will make you appear older than your actual age. Thus, to maintain that youthful look and avoid premature ageing, it is prudent to remain optimistic and avoid overthinking or stressing about issues beyond your control.
2. Drugs
Excessive consumption of drugs is well known to have negative effects on one’s health. Although smoking and excessive drinking are habits known to lead to medical complications, you will be shocked to learn that they also affect your skin negatively. The human skin is highly sensitive, and as a result, requires high levels of elastin, collagen, water and oxygen for it to remain youthful. Engaging in drugs prevents your skin from receiving the highly important nutrients required to keep it supple and firm. Over time, wrinkles and permanent spots usually start to appear on the faces of smokers and individuals who excessively consume alcohol.
3. Diet
To prevent premature ageing, then you must be extremely careful when choosing your diet. Your skin requires several nutrients for it to thrive. However, no matter how strict you are observing your diet, it is difficult for your skin to receive all the required nutrients. As a result, boosting your diet with important minerals and vitamins that can help keep the skin flexible and healthy is recommended. However, as you look to improve the overall health of your skin, it is crucial to be conscious of elements such as retinoids which are included in most anti-aging treatments. According to Dr. Bill Andrews from Siorai, retinoids can actually cause your skin to age faster. This is because as cells divide, the telomeres, or caps, on the end of DNA, shorten and cause signs of aging. Retinoids promote cell growth, and those cells simply go through the same dividing process. Therefore, to avoid causing further damage to your skin, it is important to practice caution, especially when purchasing skin care and anti-aging treatments.
4. Extreme weather
Exposure to too much sunlight can damage your skin. As skin care experts assert, sun rays are the leading cause of wrinkling. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can do a lot of damage to the human skin, especially when the skin is exposed to the scorching sun for long durations. Similarly, cold weather conditions, if not managed well, can also lead to skin damage. Chilly weather weakens the skin, making it thin and prone to wrinkles due to overstretching. As a result, it is important to be conscious of how much time you spend out in the sun while also keeping yourself warm and hydrated in extremely chilly conditions.
5. Weight
Although overweight people have higher chances of ageing faster than their normal sized counterparts, extremely thin people, too, have increased chances of premature ageing. An underweight individual lacks enough natural fats to maintain a proper facial structure which leads to sagging of the skin, and the formation of wrinkles. Overweight people, on the other hand, have too much fat deposit that reduces the skin tightness and overall elasticity. This makes it easy to develop wrinkles and a saggy skin, especially after working out in a bid to reduce weight.
6. Lifestyle
Leading a healthy lifestyle not only exposes you to several health benefits, but also helps to improve the overall health and appearance of your skin. The best way to remove toxins from the body is through regular exercises and hydration. By exercising regularly and adopting positive lifestyle habits, you will be well placed to keep your skin healthy and firm for long. Also, it is advisable to avoid activities or habits that can damage your skin.
The above mentioned points are the main factors that promote early ageing; and, as can be seen from the discussion, premature ageing can be prevented and controlled. To do so, however, you will need to take care of your skin by taking up positive lifestyle habits. Avoid overindulging in drugs and always be keen on your diet to ensure that your skin receives the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and young.