Nobody ever said aging was fun. That’s because it’s not. As you get older you may start to realize your body isn’t as limber and agile as it once was, and it also has a knack for constantly reminding you of this fact. The further up there you get in years, the more people in their 20s start looking like children. But, someone once said age is just a number.

If that’s true, then why focus on the things you can’t change? How about you start focusing on the things you can change and live like you’re young again. Here are 10 tips to get you started.

1. Pay Some Mind to Your Exterior

So, you’ve got some wrinkles here and there. Maybe  you’ve got some sagging skin under there, plus it doesn’t look as vibrant as it once did. Short of cosmetic surgery, you may be wondering if there is anything you can do about it.

According to some manufacturers of health and beauty products, there is. These companies claim to make your lips fuller without injections, smooth fine lines and wrinkles and repair your skin’s elasticity while giving it a youthful appearance. It may be worth giving some of these products a try. Check out Beverly Hills MD reviews. Gaining a more youthful appearance can go a long way in making you feel great.

2. Stay Active

If you want to feel and act younger, being physically active is a necessary part of the equation. If you let your body go, it’s going to start declining faster with each passing year.

Running with a partner is a great way to stay in shape. If you don’t have a running partner, get involved in sports. You might be surprised to find out there are softball leagues for seniors, even in their 70s.

3. Stay Sexually Active

Sex not only feels great, but it boosts your endorphins and circulation. That’s a healthy combination that can leave you feeling great. It can also make you feel younger. In fact, sex really does take years off your body’s age because it promotes better heart health, a stronger immune system and better mental health.

If you’re married or living with a partner, you’re halfway there. If you’re single, whether this one is an option for you or not will depend on your religious or moral beliefs. If you do decide to find a partner for sex, be sure to keep it safe. Just because you’ve gotten older doesn’t mean the same dangers of disease aren’t still out there.

4. Have Goals

One of the rewards of aging is eventually retiring. Many people make big plans for retirement, but then procrastinate and never seem them through. Don’t be one of those people. Having goals and achieving them will keep your mental focus and clarity sharp. It will also give you a sense of purpose, just like you had when you were in the career world.

Studies show that seniors who have a sense of purpose are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as well as a host of other ailments. They’re also likely to live longer. Warding off all those dangers will certainly keep you feeling young.

5. Get a Dog

Getting a dog helps with two items on this list. A dog will inspire you to stay active, and he’ll give you a purpose because you have to care for him. Dogs are wonderful companions, and they make great walking partners. However, if you’re always on the go traveling or socializing, a dog may not be right for you, because then the dog would be lonely, right?

6. Wear Sunscreen

Hopefully, you started the habit of wearing sunscreen when you were younger. If you didn’t, it’s still not too late. The UV rays from the sun can do real damage to the skin, especially when you’re older. The sun speeds up the aging process of your skin, but as bad as that is, it’s not the worst problem.

As you age, you become more susceptible to certain cancers, including non-melanoma skin cancer. If you spend outdoors gardening or mowing the lawn, wear a hat and lather on the sunscreen.

7. Eat a Healthy Diet

If you never developed healthy eating habits, there’s not a better time than now. Because your metabolism slows with each passing decade after 30, you’re at greater risk of putting on extra pounds, and putting on weight is the opposite of where you need to be if you want to feel young.

Eat a well-balanced diet that consists of fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, poultry and nuts. You’ll get plenty of fiber from the fruits and vegetables, and the meats will give you protein to sustain your muscle mass.

Challenge yourself to buy fresh. Pre-packaged meals and frozen dinners are packed full of preservatives and other additives that don’t provide meaningful nutrition for your body.

8. Be Social

Socialization is good for your mental health. A healthy mind has no problem feeling young. It can also be good for your overall health, as you tend to be active with your friends.

If you find it difficult to make new friends, try joining a club or organization. There are many clubs seniors have formed over the years. To name a few: Toastmasters International, Red Hat Society, your local senior citizens center, quilting clubs, church groups, nonprofit organizations and local bridge clubs.

9. Learn Something New

Learning something new challenges your mind, which is important as you get older. Mental decline is a common problem for older people, so the longer you keep your mind active, the longer you can keep mental decline at bay.

Some things you could try include photography, painting, flying an airplane, learning to knit or learning a new language. Think large and think small. Maybe you can tackle one of each.

10. Spend Time Outdoors

Whether you take care of your garden or you go fishing, spending time outdoors is good for you, so long as you don’t forget the sunscreen. The warmth of the sun’s rays helps your body produce serotonin which is a mood enhancer. This means spending time outdoors can make you an overall happier person.

So, did you come up with any great ideas from this list? Perhaps you’re eager to go grocery shopping and start a new life of healthy eating. Or, you’re ready to invite friends over for card games. There are many ways you can help your body and mind feel and look younger. Don’t feel guilty for wanting to feel and look good. Feel guilty if you don’t do something about it.

Sleep can often be the first thing that is sacrificed when our lives feel busy and stressful. While many effects of bad sleep can negatively impact our lives, our beauty on the inside and on the outside is surely paying the price for our choices. Make sure that you take the time to engage in proper rest and don’t cut out one of the most important activities of our daily practices.

Better Sleep, Better Skin

• Establish a routine bedtime and get 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
• Limit alcohol and cigarettes before bed.
• Keep up your sleep hygiene to promote a good night’s rest.
• Get high thread count sheets and pillow cases to help avoid any pulling on the skin.
• Wash your face nightly and apply skin care treatments which help promote a flawless complexion.
• If you are prescribed a CPAP machine, use it. Researchers recently found apnea sufferers who use their CPAP machines look younger and fresher than those who do not.

If you still find yourself having missing out on sleep even after practicing good sleep habits, you may want to talk to your doctor about your sleep problems and to schedule a consultation with a sleep specialist.  At the Alaska Sleep Clinic we treat hundreds of patients throughout Alaska for various sleep disorders including: sleep apnea, narcolepsy, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and more.  Click the link below to receive more information regarding scheduling a sleep study.