Aging is a worrying topic for many, and it seems that more and more aging is made out to be something negative. In fact, 28% of women under the age of 25 admit that they worry regularly about signs of aging, while 42% of women between the ages of 25 and 34 and 54% of women aged 35 to 44 admit the same. While the conditions that created such a social stigma around aging are largely to blame for these worries, it can be important to learn how to age gracefully so that you can continue looking your best no matter what age you are. Thankfully, there are numerous ways to do this.
1. Take Care of Your Skin
People are living longer than ever before, with 5.5 million Americans living to the age of 85+ in 2010, according to the Institute on Aging. By 2050, 5% of the entire population, around 19 million Americans, will be in the 85+ age group. Because so many people are living well past 85, it’s important to learn how to take care of your skin so that it can look its best, even once you reach this milestone.
In order to keep your skin in the best condition possible, it’s important to wear sunscreen whenever you are outdoors, stay hydrated, and take time to moisturize effectively. If you smoke, quitting smoking can also help your skin, as smoking can cause premature skin aging, which can lead to more fine lines as you get older. If you have concerns, you can also speak to your dermatologist about how you can best take care of your type of skin. For example, if you are prone to acne breakouts or have particularly oily skin, your dermatologist can advise the best course of action so you can help your skin, rather than harm it.
2. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Dental health can have a large impact on your overall health, and 44% of Americans even admit that they wish they took better care of their teeth. Along with impacting your self-esteem and appearance, poor oral health can also increase your risk of significant health issues such as heart disease.
For this reason, it’s important that you keep your regular dentist appointments as best you can, and take advantage of treatments, such as braces or aligners, so that your teeth can both look good and stay as healthy as possible.
3. Be Mindful of Your Diet
You are what you eat is truer than you might like, and as you age, eating healthy becomes increasingly important. Thankfully, when it comes to aging gracefully, there is no shortage of delicious recipes that are both tasty and healthy. You can even find recipe websites and books geared specifically towards balanced, healthy diets for aging. When looking for a good recipe, make sure that it includes lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, or vitamin D fortified dairy. Although not every recipe will include all of these things, you should try to include most of these things in meals throughout your day.
4. Mind Your Mental Health
Mental health matters more than you may think when it comes to aging in a graceful and healthy way. Staying happy and keeping your stress down is key to living well and aging well. To do this, you should take care to get help for any mental health problems you are struggling with, as well as take time to focus on yourself and the things that make you happy. This can include spending more time with your friends and family or engaging in activities that allow you to shift your focus away from the major stressors in your life. Doing this can help reduce aging signs caused by stress, and it can help you feel much better overall.
Aging gracefully is a concern for many people, but it doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. By keeping these four tips in mind, you can start taking care of yourself and aging in a way that allows you to both look and feel your best.
