Age gracefully: Simple lifestyle changes can preserve your youth

Getting older comes with some unavoidable changes. But it is possible to slow or even prevent some of the unwanted changes through healthy living. Here are a few ways you can keep looking your best as you age. 

Don’t smoke 

If the terrible health effects of smoking, like increased stroke and lung cancer risk, aren’t enough, then think of your face. Skin is our largest organ, and it’s not immune to the effects of tobacco — in fact, it’s the most visible victim. There are telltale wrinkle patterns from puckering your mouth, and crow’s feet are a common side effect of smoking too. The sooner you stop, the faster your skin and smile will be able to bounce back. 

Protect yourself from the sun 

Even people who get plenty of plastic surgery to look dewy-fresh have their efforts at a youthful appearance undone by the sun. Ultraviolet light damages skin over time, and there’s only one way around it — don’t bake.  

“It’s not just tanning, but the accumulation of everyday exposure, so even if you’ve never had a sunburn in your life, the sun will take a toll, “ said Tammy Donoway, DO, of TidalHealth Primary Care in Berlin. “That’s why people should consider using sunscreen every day, even in winter.” 

In overseas cultures where youthful skin is truly prized, gloves, hats and parasols are still used to ward off UV aging effects. And of course, there’s a health benefit. In sun-drenched Australia, where skin cancer was at an alarming rate, the nation started a campaign to protect its citizens. The “Slip! Slop! Slap” campaign encouraged Australians to slip on a long-sleeved shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat. Since the campaign launched in 1981, melanoma rates dropped significantly.  

“We have a high rate of skin cancer on Delmarva, so sunscreen is important,” Dr. Donoway said. 

Get active 

Everyone knows exercise has health benefits, and keeping fit obviously affects your appearance too. But it might affect it more than you realize: “The improved blood flow nourishes your cells and can give your skin a healthier glow,” Dr. Donoway said. “It can also help you sleep better, so you look more refreshed, and reduces some of the stress hormones that can cause acne.” 

Working out can also improve your body’s production of collagen — a protein you’ll often see touted in expensive lotions. But your own collagen will work better than anything else at keeping wrinkles at bay. 

By taking these simple steps, you can defy the effects of aging and maintain a youthful appearance. Routine checkups with your primary care physician help too.