If you want to look and feel good as you age, say goodbye to these 6 bad habits

Roselle Umlas by Roselle Umlas | November 14, 2024, 1:02 pm

We all want to look good as we grow older. But more than that, we all want to feel good. 

The good news is, there’s a direct link between the two. 

When you look good, you feel good. The opposite is true as well. When you feel good, your happiness naturally radiates out of you. 

It’s literally a never-ending positive feedback loop! 

So today, let’s take a look at the habits that get in the way of that. If you want to look and feel good as you age, it’s time to say goodbye to these 6 bad habits: 

1) Neglecting self-care

Let’s start with the basics – you just can’t look and feel good if you don’t take care of yourself. 

There are so many ways we neglect self-care, such as: 

  • Poor diet choices
  • Not drinking enough water
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Lack of exercise
  • Consuming alcohol and tobacco
  • Not following at least a basic skincare regimen
  • Not putting on sunscreen (I wish I’d taken this seriously much earlier!)

All of these habits can make you look much older than you are. Don’t get me wrong – aging is completely natural; premature aging isn’t! 

And it’s not just about looks. An unhealthy lifestyle can hold you back from feeling 100% as well, as it can sap your energy and mess up your mood.

Be honest – do you really feel like conquering the world when you’re running on empty, feeling dehydrated, or haven’t moved much all day?

2) Overworking and overthinking

Anything that has “over” in it should tell you that it’s not healthy. These two culprits are responsible for creating chronic stress. 

I myself used to do these all the time. I’d stay in the office long after work hours were over; sometimes I’d even bring work home. 

And as if that wasn’t enough, I’d lie awake in bed because my monkey mind refused to let me sleep. 

Let me tell you, that’s no way to live. Overworking and overthinking trap you in a state of perpetual stress. Which, as studies show, contribute to premature aging. 

According to Tunc Tiryaki, the founder of the London Regenerative Institute, “Chronic stress triggers a ‘cascade of biological responses in the body.’”

He further cautions, “Chronic stress has been associated with shorter telomeres, which can contribute to premature aging. Once the stress is removed, your body can begin to recover and the physiological processes that were damaged can return to their normal levels of functioning.”

I found my way out of this cycle by cultivating a mindfulness meditation practice. And I had to learn to set boundaries for myself: define work hours, stick to them, and then genuinely disconnect.

It wasn’t easy; we really can be our own worst enemy! But if you want to look and feel good as you age, this is absolutely necessary.   

3) Constant complaining and pessimism

Speaking of telomeres, did you know that mental negativity can also shorten them? 

According to research, “People who score high on measures of cynical hostility have shorter telomeres.” 

And you know what that means – they look and feel older. Yikes. 

I’ll say it again, what you feel inside will radiate outwards. If you often hold discontent, aggression, and pessimism in your heart, that’s what will show up in the lines of your face and in your body language.

So, without you even noticing it, you’ll appear older and more tired than you actually are. 

Instead of voicing every complaint and looking at the downsides of things, try focusing on solutions or simply letting go of things you can’t change. 

I strongly encourage cultivating a gratitude practice as well. This never fails to lift me up when situations in my life are less than stellar. 

When you look at life in a more positive light, your face will naturally be  more relaxed and youthful. 

4) Holding onto regrets

Similarly, holding onto regrets is, well, regrettable. Not only does your spirit feel weighed down, but that weight will also show up in your entire demeanor. 

Look, regrets are inevitable. It’s part of the human experience. We’ve all done things we’re ashamed of, we’ve all had missed chances and opportunities. 

The thing is, it’s up to us to make our regrets work for or against us. The smart thing to do, according to psychologist Robert Leahy, is to use it for self-correction. 

That’s a different approach from unproductive or maladaptive regret, which is characterized not by self-correction, but by self-criticism. 

In this case, it can lead to a lot of other negative conditions like rumination, depression, and resentment. 

As we’ve established earlier, negativity makes us look and feel older. So let go of any regrets you’re still holding onto. The present is right here, waiting for you to pay attention and make new memories. 

5) Constant use of electronic devices

If you’re always glued to your phone or your laptop, I’ve got bad news for you. These devices are making you look and feel older. 

That’s because of the blue light they emit. Studies show that blue light causes oxidative stress, which then causes skin aging. 

Add to that the fact that blue light interferes with our normal sleep cycles, which means we end up less rested and more frazzled than we should be. 

So set some boundaries in this area, too. Give yourself a limit and stick to it, no matter how difficult. You weren’t born with your phone in hand – trust me, you will survive a few more hours without it. 

6) Staying in toxic relationships

Lastly, if you want to look and feel good as you age, take stock of your relationships. Are they all good forces in your life? Or are some weighing you down? 

I’ve always subscribed to what psychotherapist Esther Perel said: “The quality of our relationships determine the quality of our lives.” I’ve seen it happen in my own life. 

When I was younger and stuck in a toxic relationship, I didn’t feel good about myself. I didn’t even believe in myself. So I stayed there, letting year after year pass by, letting this person rob me of my joy for living.  

That’s just one of the harmful effects of a toxic relationship. On the whole, it drains your emotional energy and takes a visible toll on your physical health and appearance.  

True enough, when I finally ended that relationship, I felt free, like taking a breath of air after being down underwater for so long. I felt alive – and much younger – in a way I hadn’t been for years. 

Final thoughts

Looking and feeling good depends on how strong your mind-body connection is. 

You can dress up in the finest clothes, maybe even get Botox if that’s your thing, but if you’re neglecting your mental health, you’re really only addressing half the picture. 

Keeping your mind in good shape is just as important as taking care of your body. The effects of that will show, even if you aren’t wearing makeup! 

So, don’t just focus on the external stuff. Make sure you’re also doing things that keep your mind sharp and your spirits high. 

Create harmony between your mind and body – that’s the real secret to looking and feeling your best, no matter your age.