11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

If you sit for more than 8 hours every day, you may look 8 years older. Loneliness and a lack of friends can also cause fast aging and other health problems. There are some things we may not even think about that can affect our appearance.

We at The Elite Indian compiled some things that may cause early aging so that you can start preventing them today. At the end of this article, you can find a bonus feature about a little tip that can help you to stay younger for longer.

1. You sit more than 8 hours a day.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

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People who sit most of the day and get no exercise are biologically 8 years older than their actual age. This statement was proven true by researchers who tested 1,500 women and determined it may be connected to our DNA. Prolonged sitting may shorten the length of chromosomes.

Shortened chromosomes can also lead to some diseases. Because of this, researchers recommend having at least 30 minutes of exercises a day and taking a break from sitting every 30 minutes.

2. You wear heavy earrings too often.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

© Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Mega Agency/East News

Heavy earrings put a lot of weight onto a delicate area of the ears. It can cause a loss of ear shape and split earlobes. Your skin gets stretched and loses its elasticity which creams can’t always fix. It may seem like an insignificant factor of aging, but our ears are a very visible part of our bodies. It adds more years to your appearance when your ear skin looks saggy and old.

3. You consume only red meat.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

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It’s not just about refusing to eat red meat altogether but rather, more about the amount of it you consume. A study showed that eating too much red meat and too few fruits and vegetables may increase one’s biological age. It happens because this kind of diet increases levels of one element in the blood which is called serum phosphate. Moreover, it can cause chronic kidney disease down the line.

The best way to avoid negative results is to balance your diet and not exclude other types of foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

4. You don’t have close friends.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

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It turns out that neglecting your friendships and social networks can lead to health problems and faster aging. This conclusion was made by researchers who studied the topic. Loneliness is a risk factor that increases the chance of death. Also, the effects of feeling lonely can be compared to those of smoking.

Such an effect may be seen in people who have no friends, don’t go out, or do it far less than the average person. It also decreases physical activity which is very important for one’s well-being.

5. You change your diet too often.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

To stay healthy and in shape, we need to stick to a certain food routine. When we change our diets too often, our bodies don’t have time to adapt. If you spend the first week just on water, the next one on cucumbers, and the third on meat, it can harm your body and keep it in a constant state of stress. And unfortunately, stress can make us age faster.

Besides, short-term changes in eating and activity can lead to the loss of muscle and bone. So, as a result, one could experience poor mobility and early aging.

6. You drink regularly from water bottles.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

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Dr. Mitchell Chasin says an everyday habit like drinking from bottles can form very deep wrinkles around your lips. Of course, this has nothing to do with biological aging but any extra wrinkles can make you look older.

7. You’re a frequent flyer.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

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The humidity in aircraft cabins is usually less than 20%. So it’s no wonder that our skin becomes dry after flying. To avoid this, bring a small travel bottle of moisturizer on board and drink more water. This is especially needed when traveling on long flights.

Planes are full of bacteria that can cause skin-ruining acne. Don’t forget to bring some antibacterial wipes with you and wash your face after a flight.

8. You don’t take a shower after the gym.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

It’s not just about hygiene but sweating irritates your skin as well, which can lead to damage and an aging appearance. That’s why it’s so crucial to wash your skin in the morning and before bed, as well as after you sweat heavily. If you want to take a shower at home after the gym, it’s better to at least rinse off your face.

9. You consume too many sugar and dairy products.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

After you leave a piece of fruit on a counter for a while, it starts to look a little different. It becomes brown because its sugar reacts with its proteins. And the same reaction happens in our bodies when sugar starts to react with collagen. Your skin becomes dull and sallow.

There are also some researchers that say dairy products can make you look older since it could increase inflammation. This leads to oxidative stress which can be the main reason for premature aging.

10. You consume too many supplements.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

It’s no secret that a lack of vitamins can lead to bad skin, hair and nails, but when you constantly overdose on supplements it also can serve as a threat to your health and youth — it can even lead to toxic symptoms. When your body gets “poisoned” all the time, all of its systems suffer, so you look worse and get older faster.

If you’re not sure if you need this or that vitamin or other supplements, or simply have questions about how much of something you should take, ask your doctor and have some blood tests done that can show if you really need them.

11. You don’t check your hormone levels.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

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With age, our hormone levels change and if there’s an imbalance, it affects all of your body. Not only can this cause mood swings, but your skin and hair can also change, looking a lot worse than usual. If the secretions fail to leave the ductless glands, it can lead to aging. Do yourself a favor and have hormone blood tests once a year.

Bonus: There’s such a thing as “healthy” and “regular” aging.

11 Things That Make Your Body Age Faster

Researchers say that there’s “healthy” aging when you don’t experience any chronic diseases, no loss of memory, and no physical disabilities comparting to what’s “normal.” Moreover, they found that the consumption of nuts during your midlife can lead to better overall health and well-being at older ages. Additionally, after 8-weeks of aerobic training, microcirculation becomes much better. Because of this, people who eat nuts and do aerobics look younger.

What things do you do in your daily life that can inherently make you look older? Would you like to look younger or are you comfortable with your age? Please write your feedback below!

Preview photo credit Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Mega Agency/East News

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