I gave up trying to be Peter Pan when I was 13. That’s when I thought that I never wanted to hit the “old age” of 20. Thinking of ways to naturally slow down aging was far from my mind.
By the time I was 16, I couldn’t wait to be an adult so that no one could tell me what to do. Little did I know at the time that no matter what age you are, someone is telling you what to do! And now, I want to live a healthy life as long as possible. If you’re like me, you may look into ways (or want to) to slow down aging naturally.
Starting with a healthy lifestyle in your teens and twenties is the most beneficial way to slow down the process and to help prevent chronic disease later in life. But regardless of your age, it’s never too late to start making healthier choices.
Quick background
I got a genetics test done a couple of years ago. I wanted to know what I was predisposed to that my family couldn’t remember. And now I know everything so that I can be proactive about it. There were some surprises in there. It’s actually when I first found out I couldn’t handle dairy. Who knew a genetics test could tell you that? I am super proactive now, so I have become so much healthier… within reason. I don’t see the point of living forever if it makes me unhappy along the way!
You may do things that age your body and others that slow down the process. Some are obvious, but you need to do all of these to keep yourself in optimal health.
Nine ways to slow down aging naturally
- Your DNA
- Your immune system and how it fights against illness and disease
- Heart health
- Blood pressure
- How well your lungs work
- How well your kidneys work
- Your cholesterol levels
- Oral health and the prevention of gum disease
With some healthy lifestyle changes, you can improve your ability to slow down or moderate the aging process. Here are some tips to get you started.
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Learn about your family’s health history.
Ask your relatives to see if you’re at increased risk for any chronic illnesses or if there were unusual things that popped up in the family. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about it. It will help you take specific preventive steps.
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Keep your mind sharp and active.
Once you’re out of school, it’s important to continue to learn new skills, find new interests, try tricky mind teasers or read challenging books.
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Maintain a healthy weight.
Make sure your body mass index (BMI) is in a reasonable range. You can check your BMI online at the National Institute of Health. While calculating your BMI isn’t an exact science, you can use it as a gauge. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider to help determine a healthy weight for your body structure, height, and weight.
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Eat a healthy diet
Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins from nutritious sources like lean meats, seafood, nuts, and beans. Avoid sugar, including drinks and desserts with it added. Reduce your intake of refined grains like white bread, white pasta, and fats that stay solid at room temperature, such as butter. Check the US and Canadian food guides for tips on eating a balanced and healthy diet.
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Reduce your salt intake.
Sodium increases your blood pressure, which makes your heart work more.
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Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day or a minimum of 2 1/2 hours each week
Strength training should be done at least twice a week, and cardio should be done at least two to three times a week. It keeps your heart healthy and your lungs functioning. Other exercises like yoga are beneficial for flexibility.
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Don’t smoke, and try to avoid secondhand smoke.
If you do smoke, quit. Smoking is one of the things I’m not super proud of, but I am for stopping. It’s HARD.
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Don’t abuse drugs, and limit your alcohol intake.
You shouldn’t consume more than one drink a day for women and one to two drinks a day for men.
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See your dentist regularly.
Floss once a day and brush at least twice daily. Eat an apple a day and use mouthwash.
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Making lifestyle changes is just a part of the puzzle. Ensure you see your doctor or healthcare provider regularly to get screened for diseases or chronic illnesses and for recommendations to maintain and improve your health.
If you need some more healthy living tips to help slow down aging naturally, check out some of my other wellness posts.
