Do you belong to the 35+ worried lot of people who have just begun to notice the first signs of Aging? Did you wake up in the morning and noticed ‘wrinkles’ and ‘dark patches’ in the mirror? Often people associate the ‘thinning of skin’ and ‘sleep lines’ with the phenomenon of ‘growing old’. Do you feel breathlessness and fatigue after you complete any physical activity?  Have you ever suffered a memory loss forgetting dates, phone numbers etc.? Ah, the old age and its consequent effects are here!

Aging is a natural phenomenon characterised by the physical, psychological and social changes in an individual over time. With sedentary lifestyle, burgeoning materialism, pressure-cooker like stress and heavy workload having invaded our lives in a big way, people are witnessing the malign signs of aging at an early age. Moreover, malicious habits such as smoking, alcohol, junk food etc. act as a catalyst to the aging process. Even though the old age is inevitable, it is surely possible to avoid the signs of aging at an early age or to slow down the aging effects.

Benjamin Franklin has said,” We get old too soon and wise too late”. Thus, applying a little wisdom can go a long way to keep the early signs of aging at bay. Here’s a list of the top 10 simple ways to slow down the aging effects:

10.Feel young!

Just breathe in the fresh air of vigor and enthusiasm and tell others that   “Age is just a number”. Lead a cheerful life without compromising on all those little things that give you happiness. Spend time with your family, form a social circle and indulge in activities. It’s a great idea to get admitted to the dancing classes with your spouse and move a little even at 60! Stay happy and live to the fullest.

9.  Quit smoking

It is a well-known fact that smoking causes various respiratory disorders. Moreover, smoking can even accelerate your aging process as it produces a hormone called cortisol which triggers the process of aging and wrinkles start surfacing on your skin.

8. Keep stress at bay

Stress is a slow poison. While leading a luxurious life, man is stranded amidst the pangs of relationship, cumbersome workload, ambitions etc. Restlessness and anxiety amplify the aging process and unfortunately your skin reveals those early signs of aging. Stress causes creation of hormones like cortisol which decrease muscular tissue beneath the skin.

7. Use a moisturiser

Often the over-conscious people who worry a lot about their aging skin tend to forget the basic property of a simple moisturiser. Applying moisturiser to your face and body will surely help you to avoid dehydration of the skin and even increases the blood circulation to your face so that your skin stays younger and radiates positive energy. Despite this, those who wish to spend considerable time and money on new lotions; ointments etc. can consult a dermatologist

6. Sleep well!

Have a blissful sleep. Many people in the present times complaint of sleeplessness and insomnia. Consequently, the top most epidermis loses their elasticity and dark patches also appear around the eyes. Try to relieve your mind of all the worries and sleep well for around 7-8 hours. Sleeping enhances the level of blood circulation in your body and produces HGH (Human growth hormone) so that skin remains intact. Having said that, pay attention to way you sleep i.e. body postures while sleeping. Don’t sleep on your chest or back as sleep lines will appear on your neck, chest and face.

5. Drink gallons of water

Insufficient hydration is another major reason that triggers the aging process. In order for the skin to stay moist and elastic, the body cells require a constant supply of water. Drink 9-10 glasses of water each day to retain the moisture level of the skin and avoid aging. Moreover, adequate water supply to your body will help you to avoid indigestion and other stomach problems.

4.  Try simple exercises

Raise your hand, clap and pull down! Doing some simple exercises can help you a great deal to enhance the flexibility of your body muscles, avoid health disorders such as high blood pressure, balance problems, difficulty walking and assist in toning of body parts. Also, exercising regularly will boost your stamina to undertake physical activities during the day.

3. Walk a mile!

Rise up early and go for a morning walk daily. Walking bestows you with several benefits such as agility, enhanced stamina, a check on body weight and reduces the chances of dementia among the elderly. According to the scientific study, older people who walk six miles or more per week could avoid brain shrinkage and so preserve memory as the years pass.

2. Getting started with the yoga and meditation

It’s time to try a handful of simple yoga poses like pranayama, ashtanga, power yoga etc. Studies have shown that yoga can be extremely helpful in combating fatigue and pain. It improves core strength and reduces fall-related injuries. Above all, yoga is an exercise that helps the older people to stay younger. In addition, meditation can also help to shun all kinds of stress, frustration and worry so that even the skin radiates cheerfulness.

1. Beware of what you eat!

“Eat healthy, stay healthy.” It is a well- known fact that a balanced diet provides body with all the vital vitamins and minerals that retain the elasticity of the skin, check cholesterol levels, prevent disorders and disabilities thereby leading a disease- free life. The needs of the various essential nutrients increase as we grow older because there is tremendous wear and tear of tissues, repair of cells etc. Eat food for your healthy organs such as papaya is good for your eyes, zinc act as a skin mechanic and so on.

Thus, a healthy living is the success mantra to keep aging at bay before time and slow down its effects.