If you’re hoping to add more candles to your birthday cake, experts say it might be as easy as ditching a few bad habits. A recent survey by “U.S. News & World Report” asked 53 medical experts about the daily choices that impact how we age, and their advice is clear: the basics matter most.
- Regular exercise
- A healthy diet
- Good sleep
- Managing stress
These are all play key roles in slowing down the biological processes that drive aging.
“These habits don’t have to be drastic, overnight changes,” says “U.S. News” senior health editor Shanley Chien, “But they’re day-to-day practices that can have significant impacts on our longevity.”
The experts highlighted four common “health hiccups” that can speed up aging:
- Inactivity: 57% of the panel ranked this as the biggest mistake, noting it shortens telomeres (protective caps on DNA), increases inflammation, and weakens muscles.
- Smoking: Still practiced by over 28-million U.S. adults, smoking damages cells and raises the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and more.
- Junk food: Ultra-processed foods make up as much as 70% of the American diet, fueling obesity, diabetes, cancer, and mental health issues.
- Poor sleep: Essential brain functions rely on seven to nine hours of nightly rest, and skimping on sleep can accelerate aging and disease risk.
In addition to these top four, experts also point to stress management and social connection as often-overlooked parts of healthy aging. “A true healthy life isn’t only about what’s on your plate or how often you hit the gym,” Chien explains, “It’s also about a holistic approach that includes mental, emotional and social well-being.” With some consistent effort in these areas, the panel stresses, people can improve their chances of living longer, healthier lives.
Source: NY Post
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