Feature Desk : Adopting a healthy lifestyle not only increases your lifespan but also reverses early signs of ageing. While genetics may seem like the main factor, maintaining a youthful appearance is possible by following healthy habits and staying disciplined.

These habits can magically impact the ageing trajectory. On the contrary, there are habits that speed up the ageing process and compromise overall health. Here are some to avoid as much as possible to preserve youthful skin.

1. Poor Sleeping: Sleep deprivation disrupts the body’s natural repair processes. It also leads to increased levels of stress hormones that cause the skin to lose its elasticity. Additionally, it weakens the body’s ability to fight toxins. This lifestyle results in sagging skin, dark circles, and wrinkles. Prioritising quality sleep is essential for maintaining a youthful appearance and overall health. Aim for at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily.

2. Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can make you age faster as it dehydrates the skin, causes inflammation, and reduces collagen production. These factors lead to premature wrinkles, dullness and uneven skin tone.

3. Dehydration: Drinking plenty of water is the key to maintaining skin health. Dehydration not only accelerates biological ageing but also increases the risk of chronic diseases. It is recommended to drink at least 7-8 glasses of water daily to maintain a healthy body.

4. Lack Of Exercise: Regular exercise improves blood circulation in the body, resulting in enhanced skin radiance. Studies have shown that regular exercising helps people age slowly and live a healthier and more energetic life. On the contrary, lack of exercise can lead to several health issues such as obesity, diabetes, heart-related diseases, etc.

5. Smoking: The harmful impacts of smoking on our body organs are well-documented. However, its effects extend to the ageing process as well by elevating inflammation levels in the body. This inflammation damages collagen and elastin proteins, leading to the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and a dull complexion. It is better to steer clear of smoking to safeguard both skin health and overall well-being.

6. Sun Exposure: Continuous exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays wreaks havoc on your skin’s elasticity, leaving it prone to wrinkles and sagging. Not only this, prolonged exposure to these harmful rays increases the risk of skin cancer significantly. Shield up with sunscreen before stepping out to keep your skin youthful and spot-free.

7. Stress: Stress is a speedway to ageing. Beyond its known health impacts, stress triggers inflammation that dulls your skin and ages your skin cells prematurely. So, unwind with meditation, yoga, or a hobby to keep that youthful glow and vitality intact.

8. Unhealthy Eating Habits: Unhealthy eating habits can fast-track ageing by depriving the body of essential nutrients and loading it with harmful substances. Poor nutrition accelerates skin ageing, causing dullness, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. Additionally, excessive sugar and processed foods can lead to inflammation, speeding up the ageing process even more. Adopting a balanced, nutrient-rich diet can nourish the skin to promote a youthful complexion and overall health.

Source: News18