While ageing is an inevitable part of life, how quickly or well you age depends on many different factors. Although there are some obvious causes of premature ageing, there are many seemingly harmless things that can also add on the years. And besides, no one wants to grow old before their time.
Here are eight everyday things that can age you.
1) Alcohol
Alcohol is a natural diuretic so the more you drink, the more dehydrated you become and the more you deplete the natural moisture from your skin. Excessive alcohol worsens fine facial lines, acne, and wrinkles, all of which instantly make you look older. You don't have to completely push alcohol away but by drinking less, your liver doesn't have to work as hard to flush out toxins and impurities from your body, and when it works more efficiently, you'll see the results in your skin.
2) Not Enough Sleep
More than a third of American adults don't get the recommended amount of sleep per night. Sleeping less than seven hours per night is associated with an increased risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, mental distress, sallow skin, and compromised memory.
3) Sugar
No doubt sugar is bad for your waistline but eating sugary foods also can harm the collagen and elastin, which are the protein fibers that keep skin firm and elastic. Once damaged, collagen and elastin become dry and brittle, leading to wrinkles and sagging.
4) Your Headphones
Hearing loss is common amongst older Americans, yet many suffer from premature hearing loss due to loud headphone volume. While listening to music sparingly and at a moderate volume is unlikely to do you much harm, listening to music on headphones for an hour can temporarily affect people’s hearing. Likewise, listening at full volume could put you at risk of permanent damage.
5) Soap
Your skin has an acid mantle which is a natural protective barrier of the skin. When you wash with soap, it can remove this protective layer of oils and dry out the skin, eventually leading to wrinkles.
6) Processed Carbs
Processed carbs are sugars in disguise. These foods can cause inflammation in your body, which may accelerate wrinkle formation.
7) Stress
We know that working too hard causes stress but did you know that stress can add years to your face, too. When stressed our sebaceous glands produce more oil resulting in adult acne, plus tired eyes become dry and more lined.
8) Complaining
Negative thoughts de-energise you and if you're down on the inside you don't look great on the outside.
Stress can can have a harmful effect on critical DNA in the cells. Researchers measured the length of DNA sections called telomeres, and found that individuals with the most stress had the shortest telomeres — and when telomeres become too short, the cells can die or become damaged. Telomere shortening has been linked to Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
