It has sometimes been said that aging is inevitable, but that looking old is optional! Although we all age, we deal with it in different ways, with different results. So what are some of the secrets of those enviable people who manage to look far younger than their years?

Turn off the tv and get off of the couch. We all need our vices, but if you are spending every evening on the couch then something is wrong. We have to keep our bodies and brains active as we age and watching tv isn’t doing any of those. Limit your tv watching to just one or two evenings a week and do something active or interesting on your nights off.

Switch away from real dairy to dairy substitutes like soy or almond milk. There have been quite a few studies linking dairy products with aging skin. If you want to avoid wrinkles as you age, put down the dairy. The substitutes that are on the market are healthy and tasty so give them a shot.

Free radicals are destructive by-products formed as your body turns food and oxygen into energy. Because they protect against those free radicals, antioxidants may help you deal with the effects of aging. Sources of antioxidants are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Blueberries, blackberries, broccoli, and spinach are particularly desirable, as darker foods tend to have a higher amount of antioxidants.

If your health is good, be sure to preserve it. If it is not so good, do what you can to improve it. Your body is your life vessel and should be cared for as if your life depends on it, because it does. Get the help that you need to improve any health issues that you may have.

As we age, our body decreases in hormone production, such as testosterone and estrogen. You doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy drugs. These drugs can cause harmful side effects, so they should be taken under physician’s supervision only.

You know you should eat healthy as you age to keep your body in optimum health. Every once in a while, though, you need to indulge yourself. This way, you do not have to dread the same old same old every day, and can look forward to this treat. This may help you keep to your healthier eating plan if you know you get to have a party occasionally.

If you feel your better years are behind you, try writing down your thoughts. This can be done through a poem, blog, letter or journal. Writing gets your brain working, and you can express who you are or may even come up with new ideas. The best part is you will realize how much knowledge and wisdom you already have with which you can impart to others.

If your goal is to age gracefully and with dignity, it is our hope that the contents of this article have been helpful to you. You are, after all, only as old as you feel! So if you still feel young at heart, let that reflect in how you look!