Whether you recognize it or not, there are many things you follow on a regular basis that are contributing directly to your early aging. Cigarette smoking and consumption of alcohol are the two main reasons for rapid aging, but there are some other factors too that make you age faster. Besides developing physical signs like, wrinkles, puffy eyes and sagging skin, these habits can impact your overall health and quality of life.
Jillian Michaels suggests that if you really want to reverse these damages and live a healthier life, then you must stop smoking and drinking in addition to the following habits:
Consumption of Fast Food
It is obvious that whatever you eat directly affects the your body. When you consume good-quality food, which is rich in nutrients, your body functions well and you feel younger and energetic. However, when you eat foods rich in chemicals like monosodium glutamate (MSG), hydrogenated trans fats and meat with excessive hormones and antibiotics, you feel dull and tired. So, next time, if you find yourself stuck at a fast food joint or a similar place, then go for healthier options like grilled fish tacos and salads. Always remember to avoid the dressings and that extra cheese in your food.
Soda Drinking
Well, most of us prefer to take it along with fast foods. The soft drinks that you order are carbonated and made with high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS). It is a sweetener that makes you gain weight faster and increases your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol”. It also contributes to tissue damage, speeds up aging, and make you more prone to develop conditions like fatty liver disease, obesity and so on.
To be true, if you are consuming diet soda, then you are not on the safer side. It often contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose as well as colors that are neurotoxins. Their consumption may cause chronic fatigue along with reduced intelligence and short-term memory that may even lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Poor Stress Management
Stress may actually age you faster than anything else. Stress disturbs your hormones and may predispose you to life-threatening health conditions like heart disease, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The way you manage your stress is the key to a healthy life and increased life span. So, next time when you find yourself stressed, take a long breathe.
You can watch your favorite movie or comedy shows. Or, you can plan a vacation or an outing with your friends. Meditation is another way that can help you to relieve stress. Try to make yourself happy as this will calm your mind and body.