The pursuit of halting or even slowing down the aging process has been around for a very long time. Even now, scientists are trying to find ways to change how quickly aging occurs. It’s a complicated endeavor, but one that’s worth the effort for the things that it can uncover.
We age because the cells that make up our bodies accumulate changes in their DNA as they generate new copies. Therefore, their capacity to divide and multiply properly as we age declines. In later stages, cells reach a point when they stop dividing and enter a senescent (or older) phase. In this context, pluripotent (or younger) stem cells will remain dormant and eventually die off.
Fortunately, there are many things that can be done to delay the signs of aging. Here are five anti-aging strategies to help keep your skin feeling fresh, healthy, and young for years to come.
Focus on Hydration
Dry and brittle skin is prone to injury with even the slightest scratch. However, that fragility may not always show up as an obvious injury. Sometimes dry skin may materialize in the form of a red-colored patch that remains for longer than normal, desquamation (also known as skin peeling), or just pressure marks that may linger indefinitely.
The easiest and most direct way to keep your skin hydrated is to consume as much water as your body needs. You may be familiar with the advice to drink two liters per day, but that depends on your specific needs. This includes your age, your level of physical activity, and whether you are in a drier climate.
You should also avoid bathing or washing in excessively hot water. After you are finished, don’t dry off by scrubbing yourself with a towel, but wrap yourself in it and gently pat yourself dry. You can also use moisturizers to protect your skin. Look for those which contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid, as they can help keep your skin hydrated and supple.
Avoid Processed Foods
We live in a fast-paced and frantic society, and as a result, many individuals are driven to make poor dietary decisions. Hyper-processed food that can be prepared quickly and some ready-to-eat meals can temporarily satiate you, but they’re not worth it in the long run.
Many ingredients in processed foods contribute to inflammation that can lead to acute damage to the skin and even poor health. It’s important to avoid foods that are rich in sugar, cholesterol, salt, and trans fats. When you switch to a more natural diet, your body can better utilize the nutrients, leading to improved skin and general health.
Try to Exercise Regularly
Exercising has been found to improve your health in many ways. Engaging in regular movement can help boost your immune system, lower your blood sugar and your blood pressure, and improve your sleep. The skin benefits from increased oxygen and nutrients delivered by the blood and from the removal of waste materials from the cells.
It has also been proven that physical activity may help alleviate stress, which in turn helps ameliorate skin-damaging disorders like eczema and acne. It doesn’t matter whether it’s for fifteen minutes or half an hour, either; the important thing is that you strive to maintain consistency. Once you are consistent with these habits, you will start to notice improvements in your physical and mental health.
Get Plenty of Sleep
Indulging in a luxurious night’s sleep is the best way to treat your skin. A good night’s rest can help you feel more refreshed and energetic the next day. Recent studies have shown a correlation between good sleep hygiene and slower cellular aging.
To get a good night’s sleep, it’s important to keep to a regular bedtime routine and avoid using electronic, blue-light emitting devices like televisions, computers, and mobile devices in the bedroom. Outside stimuli can interrupt normal sleep patterns and cause you to wake up feeling unrested.
Explore Anti-Aging Technology
New and innovative technologies hold to the promise to aid against skin aging by tackling the underlying causes. New biological therapies have been shown to help fight back against aging and prolong people’s productive years by enabling optimal health and vitality throughout.
Although it is yet to be tested on humans, the possibility of an injection increasing one’s lifespan is undoubtedly exciting. Many investigations have supported the hypothesis that the enzyme Klotho may shorten the duration of sickness and increase the expected lifespan in mice. And with its introduction, we may finally get our hands on the true fountain of youth.
Trying to stay healthy and young can be challenging, especially in today’s fast-paced and hectic society. Nevertheless, it’s important to put your well-being first, even when life’s challenges may try to derail you. By aiming to get enough rest, staying sufficiently hydrated, and avoiding bad habits that may be detrimental to you, you can help ensure your longevity now and in the years to come.
