You have a lot of say-so in how you feel as you grow older — from your heart and eyes to your skin and bones.
You can enjoy a better body by knowing what’s natural as you age and what’s not and by learning simple steps you can try to delay or lessen the changes.
Your Heart Works Harder
As you get older, your blood vessels and arteries become stiffer. Your heart has to work harder to pump blood. This can lead to high blood pressure and other heart problems.
Try this: Stay active. Walk, run, swim — even a little moderate exercise each day can help you stay at a good weight and keep your blood pressure down.
Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to keep your heart healthy. Manage stress. Get enough sleep. 7 to 8 hours of rest each night can help repair and heal your heart and blood vessels.
Your Skin Feels Different
You might notice that your skin feels drier and less supple than it once did. That’s because your skin makes less natural oil as you age.
Also, you sweat less, and you lose some of the fatty tissue just below the skin. This can make it seem thinner.
You may also notice wrinkles, age spots, and skin tags, or tiny growths of skin.
Try this: Hot water dries skin out, so take warm baths and showers.
Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you’re outdoors. Check your skin often and tell your doctor if you notice changes, such as moles.
If you smoke, this is another good reason to try to stop. It can cause wrinkles
