Although getting older is inevitable, more and more people are looking for ways to reduce the effects of aging on their bodies. Luckily, anti-aging research has made great strides in recent decades, making it possible to keep your body feeling and looking younger than it really is. The trick, however, is turning this research into real, actionable steps that people can take to affect how well they age. Here are four things you should be doing to mitigate the effects of aging on your own body.
Adopt Occasional Fasting
One of the most startling pieces of information that has emerged from research into aging is the fact that diets that restrict caloric intake are extremely beneficial to longevity. Studies in rats and primates have shown that a low-calorie diet can produce marked extensions in lifespan and provide considerable anti-aging benefits. The problem for humans, however, is that very few people are willing to live in a permanent state of hunger. Fortunately, more recent studies have shown that periods of fasting practiced on an occasional basis can produce similar effects. If you are healthy, consider looking into an occasional fasting diet that will allow you to gain some of the benefits of caloric restriction without risking long-term negative effects.
Learn About Essential Oils
Essential oils have become very popular in recent years for a range of different health uses. Anti-aging essential oils are most useful for preventing the outward signs of age, such as skin wrinkles. If you want to keep yourself looking younger, start learning about the different types of essential oils and what each one does. Keep in mind that you can also combine essential oils to compound or add to their effects.
Use Olive Oil as a Hair Conditioner
Much like skin, hair shows obvious signs of aging. These signs can range from being dry to thinning out over time. If you want to help your hair remain young, consider giving it an occasional conditioning with all-natural extra virgin olive oil. Compounds contained in olive oil help to keep your hair shiny and healthy, and may even help to prevent hair thinning as you age. The best way to use olive oil as a hair conditioner is to heat it up slightly first, making it thinner and easier to spread throughout your hair and across your scalp. Massage it thoroughly, as you want to get right down to your hair follicles for maximum effectiveness. Remember that you don’t need to do this every day. If you give yourself an olive oil treatment once or twice a month, it will provide your hair with what it needs to stay healthy as you age.
Eat More Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Much of how well you age comes down to what you eat. If you want to protect yourself from the negative effects of aging as much as possible, try to eat a diet of foods that are rich in compounds called antioxidants. Antioxidants help to keep some of the internal effects of age at bat, including joint and muscle degeneration. Foods that contain rich stores of antioxidants include natural fruits and berries, dark green leafy vegetables, root vegetables and squashes. Eating these foods regularly will help keep you healthy over the course of a long life.
Though there are certainly more ways to keep the signs of age minimized, these four methods are among the easiest and healthiest. Remember that all anti-aging routines should be complementary to a healthy lifestyle that includes plenty of exercise. Keep your body healthy, and it will be more likely to age gracefully.