Truth be told, there is no way to avoid getting older. We all have to go through it at some point in our lives, but there’s nothing to say that aging has to be something negative. But how to slow down aging process?
Here are some of our favorite anti-aging strategies. And bonus, you don’t have to wait until you’ve reached your 50s to put them into practice.
1. Add collagen to your diet
For a good reason, collagen has taken the health world by storm. Touted for its many health benefits, collagen can now be found in everything from protein powders and bars to cosmetics and pills. But why is it helpful for aging?
Collagen is one of the body’s most abundant proteins and can be found in muscles, skin, blood, bones, cartilage, and ligaments. It forms the basis of many structures in the body, including the skin, bones and muscles, organs, tendons, and joints, as well as involvement in cellular signaling. Without it, we’re missing a critical structural component.
Ensuring adequate amounts of collagen in the diet helps to reduce joint pain that may or may not worsen as we age, help to build muscle and burn fat (we all know that can be an issue when we get older…), support digestive health (as we age, stomach acid decreases, so we don’t digest and absorb nutrients as well), and improve the skin appearance (bye-bye wrinkles, hello smooth skin). Sounds like quite the package for a simple powder, right?
If you’re looking for ways to include collagen into your diet, check out our post here for a list of foods.
2. Don’t fear the cold
Cold therapy is nothing new, but the health world has recently come out with all of the benefits of dipping into a pool of ice — and it’s quite the list.
While heat therapy is great for improving blood circulation to stimulate tissue repair, reduce muscle tightness, and improve muscle flexibility, cold therapy is a great alternative if you’re looking to reduce inflammation and swelling and reduce the pain that can sometimes be part of the aging process.
Cold therapy is also great for balancing hormones that may get out of whack as we close in on menopause, boosting the immune system (because everyone can use a little boost for that), improving sleep, and keeping the nervous and cardiovascular systems functioning optimally.
3. Get rid of your stress
Stress happens. Whether it’s work, family, relationships, or the like, sometimes we just can’t get around it. And if you’ve ever heard someone say stress causes wrinkles, they’re probably correct. But there may be ways to prevent those wrinkles from developing — de-stress!
High stress levels can wreak havoc on both your body and your life. From nausea, poor digestion, and muscle aches to irritability, poor memory, and relationship conflict.
Studies have shown that increased stress levels are a main contributor to the aging process because it affects us not only on a physical and psychological level but also at a cellular level. Simple practices like meditation, gratitude journaling, exercising, and just getting out into nature can help to reduce stress levels and prevent negative effects. The best part? Most of these methods are also fun! Check them all out here.
4. Make sure you’re getting enough nutrients
Realistically, ensuring you’re getting the correct amount of every nutrient is incredibly difficult. Despite following a healthy diet and eating lots of vegetables, organic meats, and healthy fats, certain nutrients may still be missing.
Especially as we age, ensuring we have adequate amounts of certain nutrients is critical to keeping the body functioning well and preventing the onset of any age-related conditions. Things like electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium), B vitamins, vitamin D, and EFAs are all extremely important in keeping inflammation levels low, energy levels up, regulating the nervous system and heart function, and nutrient metabolism. For a full list of their benefits, check out our article on nutrients you may be missing here.
Aging is just a normal part of life, and there’s frankly no way we can avoid it, but it doesn’t mean it has to be something we dread. So now that you know how to slow down aging process, incorporating certain activities into your daily life will make it a little less painful (and maybe even enjoyable)!
