Drink water, eat antioxidants, workout, use sunscreen, don’t smoke, moisturize- we like to think we’re pretty well versed in the ways to stay looking and feeling, young and healthy. As attentive as we are to our bodies and how to prevent premature aging, there are still a few unexpected ways that we’re doing daily damage to our bodies. Pay close attention to these 5 things that are aging you- you may even be doing one of these right now!
Your Devices
They’re a part of our daily lives and we can’t imagine a day without them, however, continual exposure to blue light from screens is seriously hurting our eyesight. A study from the University of Melbourne showed that blue light was a leading cause in eye strain and age-related macular degeneration. Blue light may seem unavoidable (it’s even in sunlight and the reason the sky is blue) however we get most of our exposure to it in the form of man-made devices. Invest in a blue light filter for your devices to reduce the amount of exposure to your eyes.
Your Posture
Here’s why you should make sitting up straight a habit: A recent study published by the University of Idaho found that good posture made all the difference in terms of cognitive function for older adults. A group of older adults with good posture outperformed a group of adults with poor posture when it came to recalling memories. Poor posture can result in a weakened spine, higher potential for spinal curvature as well as neck, chest and back pain.
Your Commute
Road rage, delayed trains and bumper-to-bumper traffic; commuting is stressful and aggravating, but it’s not the daily frustrations of commuting that are prematurely aging you. The amount of time you spend sitting in traffic, breathing exhaust fumes and other traffic-related pollution can lead to age spots and wrinkles, reports The Investigative Journal of Dermatology.
Work Related Stress
Need another reason not to stress? Work (and general life) related stress is causing damaging changes to our DNA that can lead to degenerative diseases. Our jobs throw a lot of stress at us and if we’re not taking measures to cope with that stress we could be setting ourselves up for Alzheimer’s disease and decreased cognitive abilities according to a recent study.
Happy Hour
After a long work week we look forward to kicking back with a relaxing cocktail. Alcohol is a diuretic that can dehydrate our skin, reduce the skin’s elasticity and lead to wrinkles. Studies also show that one too many drinks can cause adverse harm in the form of age-related illnesses such as diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Next time ask the bartender for a non-alcoholic grapefruit rosemary fizz or a virgin ginger mimosa.
