You know that stress or living a sedentary life can expedite the aging process, but what about frowning? And drinking through a straw?
Yes, these are just some of the 20 mistakes people make that may be aging them. Clearly, there are many habits that can affect our longevity, and impact how we look and feel.
Some of these everyday habits are aging you faster than you think – and not just the signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines, dryness, discoloration, but other parts of your body too, like your brain, lung, eyes and ears. Here are three examples:
Checking your phone all the time
While you may have convinced yourself this is a good habit, since you’re staying current with the news and maintaining social relationships, it comes at the cost of your neck and skin.
Looking down at your phone for extended periods can lead to ‘text neck’, which can cause chronic pain in the area. This tilted position of the head can lead to stress injuries and muscle strain in the long term, too.
Applying sunscreen only in the summer
“Although the UV rays may be less intense in the winter, they are always present and pass through clouds,” said Dr. Heather Richmond, a dermatologist at the Dermatology and Laser Surgery Center in Houston.
Remember, UV radiation damage is cumulative over the course of your life, causing gradual photoaging — wrinkles, loss of elasticity, brown spots, and uneven skin tone.
“Additionally, UV radiation causes damage to the DNA in our skin cells and may ultimately result in skin cancer,” Richmond said.
Related: Combat the Evils of Aging with Fish Collagen
Listening to loud music
Who doesn’t crank up the volume when a song they like comes on? We don’t blame you, but be aware that listening to loud music for extended periods increases risks of noise-induced hearing loss, a condition where sensitive structures in the inner ear are damaged by loud sounds. This condition actually affects up to 40 million adults in the U.S. alone!
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