Healthy Habits that will Help You Age Gracefully

No one wants to grow old. Many guys fight it with a vengeance, others seem to fall into a rut and surrender to it with a whimper and a groan. We’re all aging, that’s a fact, but there are many wholesome, energizing ways you can erase wrinkles and defy the passage of time! Here are 6 simple habits that’ll help you to stay healthy, young and vibrant.

Get a yearly check-up. Going to the doctor won’t make you well, but it can help you stay on top of certain life-threatening conditions that can age you and even kill you. High blood pressure, dangerously high levels of bad cholesterol, and even some forms of cancer can be lurking inside your body without your knowledge. Be honest with your health-care professional and discuss any issues that may have cropped up since your last visit.

Exercise more. A sedentary life is toxic. Sitting in front of a computer all day is not enough activity to stimulate your body and mind. Get up and get active whether it’s taking the stairs at work or stretching and doing push-ups at your desk between calls and conferences. Go outdoors and get some fresh air and sunshine with a run, swim, or jog. Include some weights/resistance training in your routine (at least twice a week) to stave off the muscle loss that comes with aging and inactivity.

Drink less. A glass of red wine a day or a couple of cocktails per week can help you relax and unwind. Any more than this will age you in no time. Alcohol use can cause liver failure, heart disease and has been linked to many forms of cancer. It dries out your skin, reduces serotonin levels in the brain, and can cause your metabolism to tank by dehydrating you and depleting important B vitamins from your system.

Take care of your skin. A golden sun tan looks hot, but it’s not worth the price you’ll pay in the end. Use a high-end sun screen when you’re out in the sun. Avoid tanning beds with their lethal dosage of UV rays. Moisturize in the AM and PM. Exfoliate face and neck at least once a week.

Get out and be social. In a world of increasing social isolation, it’s important to get away from your phone and computer and talk to people. Be interested in folks of all ages. Travel if you can, even if it’s somewhere close-by that you’ve never seen before. Often when you’re down, just talking to a friend can lift you out of that blue funk.

Smile more and laugh often. Smiling doesn’t cause wrinkles, frowning does. There’s nothing as boring as a dude who takes himself too seriously. Don’t be a Debbie downer. Find humor in every situation. Look for the good in everybody and cut off those who try to drag you into a web of gloom and negativity. Stay exuberant, smile a lot and have a good laugh now and again. Good people of all ages will flock to you!

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