In one way or another, people have been in search of the ‘Fountain of Youth’ for centuries.  Although there isn’t some magical place one can visit in order to become younger, there are quite a few things we can do to delay the aging process (or at least physical evidence of it).  Here are just four of them. Some pointers may seem obvious, and some may surprise you.

1.       Zzzzzzz…

Went to bed late and have to get up early?  Yeah, this is the time when you’re positive that getting hit by a Mack truck would be far more pleasant a sensation than dragging yourself out of bed.  That feeling alone should clue us in to the fact that a lack of rest can quickly take its toll on the body.  Not only can being well rested improve our mood and overall outlook on life, but studies show that it can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke by helping lower blood pressure.  If at all possible, try to minimize stress in your life, as it has a heavy hand in speeding up the aging process.

2.       Get Moving!

Let’s face it: Being a lump on your couch will not keep that body of yours looking and feeling younger for longer!  Even moderate activity and exercise can keep your body in check.  You’ll feel even better if you choose activities that you enjoy.  Do you like a good jog or power walk but get bored on the treadmill?  Then try it in a park and enjoy the change in scenery or go with a friend.

3.       Hydration

Definitely good for you, inside and out.  Because it’s made up of about 60% water, without an adequate intake of fluid, your body can’t function well.  Water flushes waste from our bodies, regulates our temperature, and keeps nutrients moving between cells.  This is evident in our skin, as well.  With a poor fluid intake, skin is more prone to wrinkling and dullness, both of which can cause you to look years older than you are. 

4.       Superfoods?

Tibet’s native goji berry is said to be an excellent source of antioxidants.  With almost 500 times the vitamin C of oranges, it also has a tremendous supply of iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc.  Pomegranates are great for anti-aging too.  They are linked to lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol, and are even said to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s.  Good for the skin as well, pomegranates can even protect it from the damage of UV rays.

Did you know that green tea is also linked to aging gracefully? In the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a Japanese study shared that drinking at least one cup of green tea a day can help keep your mind sharp as you age.  It’s also said to speed up metabolism which does wonders for weight loss.

There is no magic wand or secret fount from which we can take a few years off (if there were I would be rich!)  But there are things we can do to try and keep our bodies in tip top shape along the way.  Hope these hints were helpful ones!