1 Smoking
This is the number one bad habit for premature ageing and needs to be knocked on the head. It can result in a whole host of health problems, such as cancer, so giving up should be a no-brainer. If you need to be further convinced, bear in mind that it can also make you look older than you are, thanks to the fact that it damages the skin and causes wrinkles.
2 “Treating” yourself too often
Had a bad day at work? Finished a particularly difficult task? If you’re in the habit of rewarding yourself by reaching for a sweet treat, then you could be causing damage to your body that leads you to age more quickly. Excess sugar can cause numerous health conditions, like diabetes, which can make you old before your time. It can also make you look older – that’s because a sugar-packed diet can lead to a process called glycation, which damages proteins in your skin, such as collagen and elastin. This can leave you looking wrinkled, puffy and tired.
3 Not getting enough sleep
Going to bed late at night can be a bad habit that eventually becomes the norm – and if you are still getting up early the next morning, you’ll soon become sleep deprived. Too little sleep is really bad for your health – it is linked to obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Make it a priority to get seven to eight hours sleep a night.
4 Avoid letting friendships slide
When life is hectic, it can be hard to fit in a social life around work, family life and chores. So often it is spending time with friends that is sacrificed. This is a bad idea – numerous studies have shown that maintaining strong friendships is good for your health, both mentally and physically, and people who have close, long-term friends tend to be less prone to depression, heart disease and obesity. Those who have good friends are more likely to live longer than those who don’t have a strong social network, according to some research.
5 Not dealing with stress
Let’s face it, most of us are stressed to some extent. But not managing it properly can have huge consequences. Stress increases the levels of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline in the blood, which can harm sections of the DNA in our cells called telomeres, shortening them. People with short telomeres are more likely to get diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and Parkinson’s, according to research. Plus being stressed can suppress your immune system so you can pick up more bugs and find it harder to shake them. And people who are stressed are less likely to take care of themselves and lead a healthy lifestyle – ie eating properly and getting enough exercise.
6 Eating ready-made food for convenience sake
When you’ve spent all day working, it’s understandable you want to limit the amount of time you then have to spend in the kitchen. But opting for fast foods or something that comes out of a packet or jar should be something you do occasionally, rather than every day. That’s because these meals tend to be far less nutritious than meals you cook from scratch, and not getting enough nutrients can age you prematurely. They can contain high amounts of sugar and salt, and be high in calories. You may also tend to eat fewer vegetables if you opt for pre-packed meals. If you are having convenience foods, at least make sure you have a generous side helping of veges, and don’t forget that frozen vegetables are just about as good as fresh ones.
7 Holding on to grudges
If you are the sort of person who stays angry with someone for something they’ve done long after the event, you may want to re-think your behaviour. Studies show that forgiveness leads to better physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing. The benefits of this include lower blood pressure and less risk of developing depression or an anxiety-related disorder, which can take years off your life.
8 Using alcohol as stress relief
If you can’t get through the day without a drink, or you look forward all week to being able to get completely out of it at the weekend thanks to booze, you need to make some changes. Excessive alcohol consumption is bad for your health for so many reasons – including playing a part in conditions like some cancers that can cut your life short. Overindulging long-term can also have a devastating effect on your skin as alcohol dries out the skin, leaving it wrinkled and lined.
9 Are you becoming a couch potato?
Parking your backside on your sofa for long periods of time has serious effects. Sitting too much is linked to high rates of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. It’s bad enough if you have to sit during the day at work, but if you then spend the evenings plonked in front of the TV, you are doing yourself no favours. Try to exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week, or at least get up off the sofa every hour and walk around for three minutes. Not only will it help with your metabolism but it will also help prevent joint aches and pains, and stop your body from feeling that it is seizing up.
