How to Outsmart Father Time
Spend Time With Friends
Friends are good for the soul. The time you spend doing things with other people may have a bigger effect on your life span than where you live, where you work, and whether you have a partner.
Do Something Creative
Get a little artsy and you’ll be happier, think more clearly, and have a better quality of life. If you need an idea, consider acting. People who were asked to pick a new creative outlet said they were less intimidated by that than by singing, drawing, or painting. If you’ve always thought you were meant for the stage, now’s your time to shine.
Cut Back on the Makeup
Chances are, you’re wearing too much. Research shows that women usually overestimate the amount of makeup they need, particularly when they want to appear attractive to others. Too much can make you look like you’re trying to hide your age.
Exercise
You don’t have to take up a new sport. Just work in the garden or take a brisk walk around the block. Each week, aim for at least 2 1/2 hours of activity that gets your heart going. And throw in some moves for your muscles, like push-ups or sit-ups, a couple of times. It can help you feel better, look better, and think better, too. It also helps prevent diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. But check with your doctor before starting any new exercise plan.
Wear Sunscreen
No, that suntan won’t make you look younger. The sun’s ultraviolet rays cause more than 90% of the damage to your skin, which includes the kind you can see -- wrinkles, rough patches, sagging, and skin blemishes. Sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer, too.
Learn Something New
Keep challenging yourself, and you may help stop brain decline. Even better, consider a new skill that involves your body. Dancing is a great example because it allows you to exercise and socialize at the same time, two things that also keep your mind and body young.
Brush, Floss, and Rinse
If you don’t, your teeth may get yellow, and you may develop gum disease. That can eat away at your gum line -- a telltale sign of age -- and is linked to heart disease, stroke, and even pancreatic cancer.
Don’t Smoke
It causes wrinkles because it narrows your blood vessels and limits the blood that can get to the top layer of your skin. It also causes cancer, heart disease, and lung disease -- none of which make you feel or look young.
Sources Medically Reviewed on 10/01/2020 Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on October 01, 2020
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SOURCES:
Harvard Department of Neurobiology – On The Brain: “Dancing and the Brain.”
Journal of Aging Research: “Use of Physical and Intellectual Activities and Socialization in the Management of Cognitive Decline of Aging and in Dementia: A Review.”
Journal of the American Medical Association: “Study Links Periodontal Disease Bacteria to Pancreatic Cancer Risk.”
National Institutes of Health: “Miscalibrations in judgements of attractiveness with cosmetics,” “Cigarette smoking associated with premature facial wrinkling: image analysis of facial skin replicas,” “Social capital, social participation and life satisfaction among Chilean older adults,” “Social capital, social participation and life satisfaction among Chilean older adults.”
National Institute on Aging: “At the intersection of arts and aging,” “Participating in Activities You Enjoy—More Than Just Fun and Games: Tips From the National Institute on Aging.”
NIH SeniorHealth: “Exercise: Benefits of Exercise.”
Skin Cancer Foundation: “Study: Regular Sunscreen Use Can Prevent Wrinkles,” “Sunscreen.”
Reviewed by Melinda Ratini, DO, MS on October 01, 2020
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.