When it comes to aging, we all know smoking, drinking too much, and getting too little sleep make you feel older. What we may not realize is there are other lifestyle factors that can speed up the aging process. Gerontologists warn ignoring five key factors will affect how quickly you age and feel the effects of getting older.
The surprising lifestyle mistakes to avoid are:
- Social Isolation
- Not Wearing Sunglasses
- Being a Couch Potato
- Enduring Chronic Stress
- Eating Too Much Sugar & Processed Foods
Loneliness can take a real toll on people since we all need social interaction to feel connected. By not wearing sunglasses, our eyes and the area right around them feel and show the effects of too much sun. And a sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity is another trap to avoid.
Stress wears everyone down over a lifetime and can be particularly tougher as we age. Finally, remember you are what you eat. What you eat can wear you down if it’s the wrong thing.
Your Retirement Should Be Worry-Free
Seniors have less stress with extra retirement income. That’s one reason why here at Council of Seniors, we’re working tirelessly to get Congress to pass The SAVE Benefits Act. This legislation is crucial because the annual Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) has short-changed seniors in recent years. If we succeed, the amount of $581 will be returned to eligible seniors.
Signing our petition is the first step to start helping. Congress must reset its agenda to respond to the growing number of Americans needing this relief.
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