No person likes to have wrinkles especially since they are associated with old age. According to Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, a doctor and author commonly known for his book “Vibrant; A Groundbreaking Program to Get Energized, Reverse Aging, and Glow”, drinking more water moisturizes the skin from the inside out and can take 10 years off your face, compared to when you are dehydrated.

Ageing is expected and it’s no secret but if you have a chance to delay it, why not do your best? Scientists have proved that this is indeed possible because it is not only your genes that are responsible but other things like sunlight and consuming too many calories, which can be avoided.

Here are eight ways to maintain a youthful appearance and living longer and healthy.

Eat well

The truth is that the 21st century generation has been exposed to processed and oily foods more than ever. Today, some big brand restaurants whose selling point is deep fried chicken and chips are the measure of wealth and class. Not only does unhealthy diet cause one to age faster but there is also a risk of getting diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. It is advisable to eat some organic food, fruits and vegetables. The irony is these are more affordable in Uganda compared to fast foods that are enticing but yank you off healthy living and long life.

Lose weight

According to Global Nutrition report, Uganda has an estimated 10.4% of adult (aged 18 years and over) women and 2.3% of adult men living with obesity. Uganda’s obesity prevalence is lower than the regional average of 20.7% for women and 9.2% for men.

The report further revealed that the major causes of this predicament are body inactivity and consuming a lot of sugars, fats and carbohydrates without working out to cut them. The accumulation of these in the body leads to weight gain and if nothing is done, it can escalate the aging process and health complications.

Exercising may be a hard nut to crack but there are numerous benefits of staying active as studies have shown that those who are active live an average of three years more than those who do little or no activity.

Quit smoking

Inhaling smoke does not only affect your lungs but your whole outlook. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes cause your blood vessels to narrow, reducing oxygen flow and nutrients to skin cells. Smoking is said to be one of the contributors of wrinkles and premature aging of skin. There is no exception, be it weed, cigarettes, shisha or flavored cigarettes like Oris, the effects are the same. Smoking can also worsen many age-related diseases such as diabetes and heart related diseases.

Socialise

Loneliness can eat you up super fast; it will send you into constant depression and make you an unhappy, lamenting machine. It is important to move out often, go to events, socialize, talk to people, and accept new friends. It may not be easy to do but at the end of the day, it’s your life you are protecting. Don’t be afraid to fall in love and to be loved. Find pen pals, join groups based on your hobbies and interests. You don’t need to drastically change your life to accommodate these changes but small steps and focus on progress can get you there.

Take up a hobby

Mental and physical activity are important factors to consider for healthy ageing. Find a hobby that engages your brain extensively such as solving puzzles. This will stimulate memory and boost your neuron activity.  Learning a new language could also bring a new challenge into your life and earn you new friends and culture along the way.

Sleep well

In times where working more brings in more money, sleeping becomes optional but remember your body needs sleep to recharge otherwise it will drain out and fail you. So, grab all the sleep you can and make sure you monitor your sleeping behavior. Sleep early, so that you can get up early. Sleep can revive your mood, rejuvenate your skin and allow you to be more productive.

Make money

It is the rule of life, make money so that it can make you happy. Remember everything comes at a cost, a healthy diet can be bought. A gym subscription is needed if you want to keep fit. Money can afford you vacations and organic skin products. All these are important if you’re looking at healthy living and maintaining a younger look. So, make money but do not compromise your mental health for this as it is also an important factor in staying younger and living longer.

Take care of your skin

You don’t want wrinkles to be the definition when you’re mentioned; pay more attention to the food you are consuming, avoid direct long hours in the sun as it can damage your skin. Cut out smoking. Consider drinking plenty of water, eating fruits and managing your stress intake.