Hunching over your laptop

Hunching over your laptop
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You know the posture that elderly people tend to get, that makes them chronically hunched over? Now people are getting that at much younger ages because so many of us are constantly bending over a phone, laptop or tablet, says David A. Shapiro, DC, CEO of Complete Spine Solutions. “Also known as ‘tech neck,’ this forward head posture rounds the upper back and puts stress on the front of the spine,” he explains. This habit can actually weaken your spinal structure, causing arthritis, a common ailment among older people, he adds. Check out five body hacks that will perk you right up.

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Eating junk food

Eating junk food
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No one thinks junk food is good for us (right?!), but eating processed, low-nutrient foods regularly can age you faster than you can say “Where’s my denture cream?”, according to author and registered dietitian Shawn M. Talbott, PhD. “Eating a diet full of fibre-rich fruits, vegetables and whole grains, like the Mediterranean diet, helps you sleep better and protects against stress – two things that will help you look and feel younger,” he says. Is your diet not showing results? Here are 20 reasons why.

Using a straw

Using a straw
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Plastic straws are not only bad for the environment – they’re also bad for you, causing you to look older than you are, says Joseph Cruise, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon. “Using your lips to sip from a straw can lead to lip lines and wrinkles surrounding your mouth,” he explains. Thankfully, the solution is simple: Ditch the straw and drink your (unsweetened) beverage straight from the glass. Check out 50 health secrets every woman over 50 should know.

Not wearing sunglasses

Not wearing sunglasses
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Who hasn’t forgotten their sunglasses on the front seat of the car and accidentally crunched a pair? Time to take better care of your glasses so they can take care of your eyes, Dr. Cruise says. Not only does wearing sunglasses (yes, even on cloudy days!) help prevent fine lines around your eyes, but they also help protect your eyes from cancer and cataracts and help keep your vision sharp. Follow this additional eye care advice to protect your vision.

Eating big meals

Eating big meals
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Eating large meals more than twice a week can accelerate ageing because overindulging puts oxidative stress on your cells, according to emergency physician Chirag Shah, MD, co-founder of Accesa Labs. “Eating small, regular meals and reducing food intake by 50 percent or more can help slow down the ageing process,” he explains. “Less energy is needed by the body to digest the food and can be utilised for other, more valuable metabolic processes that help improve cell and organ health.”

Not using that gym membership

Not using that gym membership
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You had the best of intentions when you signed up at the gym in January. But now it’s autumn and you’ve barely made it there twice. Unfortunately, not getting enough exercise is one of the fastest ways to age your body, Dr. Shah says. Take the wasteful stress off your wallet and your body by making a commitment to hit the gym, even if it’s just to walk on the treadmill while you watch a show, at least three times a week, he advises. Exercise doesn’t have to be tough to make a big difference. Check out these tips on how to overcome exercise excuses.

Skipping the weight machines

Skipping the weight machines
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Muscle strength directly correlates to how well you age, says Barry Sears, MD, author of the Zone Diet book series and president of the nonprofit Inflammation Research Foundation. Increasing your muscle mass by strength training (at the gym or in your daily life) helps protect your heart, brain and bones, helping you look and feel younger, he explains.

Not taking care of your smile

Not taking care of your smile
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Your teeth are one of the first places to show the wear and tear of ageing, according to celebrity dentist Jon Marashi, DDS. Protect your youthful smile by brushing and flossing daily and seeing your dentist for regular checkups. Investing in whitening strips or other cosmetic procedures (talk to your dentist) can take years off your look, he adds.

Buying only fat-free foods

Buying only fat-free foods
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Eating a low-fat diet may help you lose weight (or not), but one thing it definitely does is speed up the ageing process, says Usama Azam, MD, of Health Tips Hub. Omega-3 fatty acids – a type of fat found in fatty fish and nuts – are essential for maintaining youthful-looking skin and increasing heart health. “You must consume healthy fats on a regular basis,” he says.

Wearing too much makeup

Wearing too much makeup
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It’s a terrible catch-22: We often wear makeup to help us look younger, but much of what we put on our skin is speeding up the ageing process, Dr. Azam says. “Wearing too much makeup clogs the skin pores and removes the natural oils which protect the skin, both of which can cause premature lines and wrinkles,” he says. Many makeups also contain harsh chemicals and toxins.

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