Are These Habits Aging You?

There’s no denying it: we’re all getting older. Aging is not something that any of us can avoid – and hey, it’s not so bad, considering the alternative! But that doesn’t mean that we don’t want to age well. Whether you’re thinking about looking your best, feeling your best, or both, there are certain lifestyle habits that could be keeping you from living your best life, now and later on. Know what they are so you can make the healthiest choices possible, and consider adding in some positive habits, so you can shine on for years to come!

1. Not Getting in Your Zzzz’s

young caucasian woman sitting down in front of a computer at night with coffee in her hand.
Not getting the proper amount of sleep, whether due to working late or being a night owl, is not good for you.

Your later years are certainly not the time to skip out on your beauty sleep. You might think that you need less sleep as you age, but that’s actually not true. Your sleep patterns might change, but you still need to shoot for a good 7 or 8 hours a night. Not getting enough sleep can keep you from being at your best during the day, can cause unnecessary stress and begin to affect your mental and physical health. 

To get more sleep, first rule out any medical concerns with your doctor. Then, try solutions like sticking to a bedtime schedule, limiting naps, getting more exercise, and keeping screens out of your bedroom.

2. Stressing Out

Stress is everyone’s enemy, young and old. But did you know that studies show stress can actually change your brain function? These studies suggest that letting go of stress can help you avoid cognitive impairment and keep your mind younger and fresher for longer. How to lighten some of the load? Try some simple relaxation techniques, including listening to music, doing a few easy yoga poses, journaling, talking to a friend, practicing mindful meditation (not sure how? Try an app like Headspace or Calm), or even just sitting quietly and closing your eyes (add in a stress ball or fidget spinner if you like!). 

3. Forgetting to Forgive

caucasian woman standing with her back to the young african american woman sitting on the floor looking away from her with her hands crossed.
Holding a grudge can affect your overall health, including giving you high blood pressure and heart issues.

It may surprise you to know that studies have actually been done on how the ability to forgive others affects us physically, as well as psychologically. And the results are in: the benefits of forgiveness include lower blood pressure, less depression, less stress, and less anxiety. Forgiving can also help you let go of unhealthy anger, which can contribute to muscle tension, heart problems, and decreased immune function. Not only that, but when you let bygones be bygones, you can go back to living a more productive life – and you’ll probably end up with fewer frown lines!

Where do you start with forgiveness? Well, start by forgiving the small things. Then, when it comes to the bigger hurts, talk them through with someone, and try to find ways to look on the bright side. Instead of stewing with resentment, work towards your own happiness and focus on the good in your life. 

4. Passing on Fruits and Veggies

You might need fewer calories as you age, but where you get those calories still matters! Being a junk food addict or a strictly meat and potatoes person is not going to cut it when it comes to keeping you looking and feeling your best. Want a healthy glow as you age, as well as a healthy gut and heart? Remember to eat your rainbow (lots of colorful fruits and veggies), as well as heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and fiber-rich whole grains. 

5. Sneaking Out for a Smoke

This one might be both the easiest and hardest habit on the list – the easiest to identify as extremely unhealthy, but the hardest to quit. But there are plenty of reasons to look for a way to kick the butts, both for health reasons and aesthetic reasons. Studies show that in addition to shortening your life by increasing your risk for heart and lung disease, as well as cancer, smoking can activate enzymes that break down the elasticity of your skin, giving you a more wrinkled and pasty appearance. Hey, we won’t judge: whatever reason motivates you to quit is a good one! Remember, quitting can be very difficult, and might take a few tries. Talk to your doctor, try nicotine gum or patches, go to a support group – just don’t give up.

6. Hitting the Bottle Too Hard

caucasian woman with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.
Smoking and drinking too much can lead to health issues such as cognitive decline and loss of elasticity of your skin.

This is a tough one. We’re often told conflicting things, like “drink at least one glass of red wine a day” and “stay away from alcohol completely for optimum health.” A moderate amount of alcohol (especially red wine) might have some benefits in moderation, but the real issue is that what is “moderate” changes as you age. According to the American Geriatrics Society, more than one drink a day for an older man and half of one for an older woman can be too much. Drinking too much can lead to cognitive decline, and could contribute to dangerous falls. Remember also that alcohol can interfere with certain medications, so be sure to talk to your doctor about whether it’s ok for you to indulge now and again.

7. Settling into That Groove in Your Couch

Listen up, couch potatoes! Think you should slow down as you age to prevent injury and accidents? Definitely not – in fact, nothing could be further from the truth. According to the Centers for Disease Control, physical activity can help control arthritis and maintain healthy bones, stamina, and muscle strength, all of which help prevent falls. It also reduces the risk of dying from heart disease, colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Not only that, but, according to a study by the National Institute on Aging, exercise might even improve your memory. How much more could you ask for as you age than staying healthy, mobile, independent and sharp?

It’s easy to add more movement into your day. The CDC recommends fitting in 150 hours a week, which you can break down into 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week, or you can try “fitness snacking,” which means scattering a few minutes of exercise throughout the day. The most important thing is to find something you enjoy: try strolling with a friend, going for a swim, taking a leisurely bike ride, or following along with an online yoga class. Even a session of dancing around the house with your sweetie counts!

Aging happens to the best of us. We can’t turn back time, and our bodies and brains are going to inevitably change – we can’t control that. But what we can control is how we approach aging, and how we treat our bodies as we get older. With a little tweaking of our daily habits, we can continue on a path to a long and healthy life. 

What You Can Do To Reduce Your Chances of Breast Cancer

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and it is important that this month, and every month, we continue to focus on preventing and treating this disease. While raising awareness means listening to the voices of survivors, it also means talking about different ways that you can reduce your risk of developing breast cancer, so that we can work towards beating it once and for all. Currently, there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer, and different risk factors that you cannot control increase your chances. But there are some things that you can control that can reduce your risk!

Avoid Hormone Exposure

pill pack with different colored pill rows

The amount of estrogen a woman has in her body will increase or decrease her chances of developing breast cancer. If you are exposed to large amounts of estrogen your whole life, for example, from foods, chemicals, birth control pills, and even post-menopausal hormones, then you are at higher risk for developing breast cancer. 

Keep Your Weight In Check

Maintaining a healthy weight is key to avoiding obesity, which is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, especially after menopause. In obese women with a BMI (body mass index) over 25, estrogen-sensitive breast tissue is exposed to more estrogen than in women of a healthy weight. In order to stay at a healthy weight, get plenty of exercise and follow a healthy diet. 

Eat A Healthy Diet

fruits and vegetables combined
Incorporating veggies and fruits in your diet as well as exercising more will help reduce your risk.

Eat your vegetables! That’s an order that you have probably been hearing since you were a kid, and it holds true as you are older. Good nutrition can help to prevent certain cancers, including breast cancer. Try to incorporate fresh vegetables, fruits, and healthy fish into your meals if you can. Aim for 8 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. 

Get Active!

Exercising at least 30 minutes a day, 4-5 days a week will help lower your chances of developing breast cancer by helping to boost immune function and by lowering the level of estrogen in your body. In fact, regular exercise can reduce your chances of the disease by 25%. The exercise or physical activity you do does not have to be intense, you can take a brisk walk, dance, or ride your bike – just pick something that you enjoy and will stick with! 

Rest

More sleep can increase your overall quality of life, and can lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and breast cancer. One study found that women who were chronically sleep-deprived developed more aggressive forms of breast cancer. So, try to develop a calming nighttime routine, turn off your devices, and get your 8 hours in! 

Limit Alcohol Consumption 

Alcohol consumption increases your risk of breast cancer, even if you are only drinking a moderate amount. It is best to avoid alcohol when you can, and if you do drink, try not to drink more than 1 alcoholic beverage a day.

Stop Smokingcaucasian hand turning down a cigarette from a box being held by someone else

Smoking has been directly linked to breast cancer, as well as to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cancers. Research shows that women who smoke in their teenage years are more likely to develop breast cancer before menopause. If you do not smoke, then don’t start, and if you do, it would be in your best interest to quit. There are many organizations that can help you quit if you need assistance, or you can talk to your doctor about prescription or over-the-counter quit-smoking aids.

Regular Screenings

One of the best ways to reduce your risk is by getting screened regularly. You should be regularly checking your breasts in the shower and reporting any changes to your doctor right away. Regular self-exams as well as checkups by your doctor are especially important if you have dense breasts (meaning that there is more tissue than fat in your breasts), because this increases your risk of breast cancer by 6 times. 

Screenings done by your doctor are typically based on risk factors and age. For women:

  • With an average risk of breast cancer, exams will start in their 20s and happen every 1-3 years into their 30s. 
  • Ages 40-44, annual screenings with a mammogram are by request.
  • Ages 45-54, annual mammograms are recommended every year. 
  • Ages 55 and older, mammograms are recommended every other year.

If you have a family history of breast cancer, then it is important that you perform regular self-exams, as well as take the necessary steps to reduce your chances of developing the disease. Adopting a healthy lifestyle will not only make you healthier in general, but it will also decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and breast cancer. And if you are diagnosed with cancer, then maintaining a healthy lifestyle will improve your chances of surviving the disease. Cancer is a scary word, but you can do your best to avoid it, and beat it if necessary by remaining as healthy as possible.