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13 Habits That May Be Aging You
(1) You multitask: You accomplish less when multitasking, adding stress to your life. Chronic stress triggers the release of free radicals, which are responsible for aging. And don't we always feel good when we scratch off from our list?
(2) You rarely pass up dessert: In addition to weight gain, sugar molecules attach themselves to protein fibers in each cell, "glycation", results in loss of radiance, tone, increase in puffiness, wrinkles and pore size.
(3) You get less sleep: Skimping on sleep not only gives you dark bags under the eyes, it's been associated with a shorter lifespan. Seven hours is considered optimal.
(4) Marathon TV. watching: The British Journal of Sports Medicine did a study that showed for every hour of TV. watched, adults cut their life expectancy by 22 minutes. People who spent an average of 6 hours a day watch TV lived five years less than non-viewing people.
(5) You sit too much: Sedentary livestyle increases risk of kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer and obesity. In the same Journal, people who exercised 150 minutes or more a week lived 10 to 13 years longer than inactive people.
(6) You don't use eye cream: Skin around the eyes is quite thin and can show age faster. Using eye cream will help take years off. Those which are most effective have retin-a as well as antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and vitamin, all of which promote collagen and elastin and reduces the fine lines.
(7) You don't use sunscreen: Failure to use sunscreen every day causes premature aging from ultraviolet rays. The errands, driving and walking to the mailbox are aging your skin.
(8) You use too much makeup: Excessive makeup clogs your pores and can cause breakouts. Also, the products with fragrances, chemicals and alcohol agents may be drying out your skin by removing the oils.
(9) You sleep with your face in the pillow: It seems obvious, but the pillow can create wrinkles. The connective tissue and collagen in your face becomes weaker and less supportive with age. Sleep on your back or get a satin pillowcase.
(10) You have a warm home: Increasing the heat can suck moisture out of the air, leading to dry and inflamed skin. Get a humidifier or place a wet towel over the radiator.
(11) You use straws: Sipping on straws causes pursing of the lips which in turn cause the deep lines around the mouth. (Same with cigarettes.)
(12) You don't eat fat: Heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids found in fish keep the skin supple and plump, helping to prevent against wrinkles, while boosting the heart and brain health.
(13) You slouch: Poor posture keeps the spine from it's normal alignment, and the muscles, disks and bones can become abnormally stressed. This results in pain and fatigue, possible spinal degeneration and a permanent deformity.
FoxNews.com, 3/4/2014
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