Be kind to your skin
Your skin is your body’s largest organ. If you treat it with care, it can better protect your body from the elements and regulate your body temperature. To make sure your skin looks and functions as well as possible:

• Wear sunscreen and protective clothing when you are outside
• Get annual skin cancer screenings
• Use gentle products in your anti-aging skin care routine
• Stay hydrated

Exercise
Regular exercise helps you stay mobile longer. Exercise also reduces stress and improves sleep, skin and bone health, and mood. Some examples of exercise are:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Dancing
• Cycling
• Older adults should also focus on activities that include balance training

Watch your diet
A healthy diet is the best way to age gracefully.

Mental health is important. 
Being happy and keeping your stress levels low will go a long way to living well and growing old.
Keep your mood up: 

• Spend time with friends and loved ones. Meaningful relationships and a strong social network improve mental and physical well-being and longevity. Don’t forget your furry loved ones, as having a pet is associated with lower stress and blood pressure, reduced loneliness and a better mood.
• Accept your age. There is evidence that people who have a positive attitude towards ageing live longer. Ageing is inevitable and learning to embrace it can make a big difference.
• Do things you enjoy. Taking time for activities you enjoy will contribute to mental health.

Stay physically active 
Numerous studies have linked a sedentary life to an increased risk of chronic disease and premature death. Some options for staying active are hiking and trekking, taking holidays, and participating in group classes. Or apply sitting breaks in everyday life, also called sitting breaks.

Find new hobbies
Finding new and meaningful hobbies can help you maintain a sense of purpose and keep you engaged throughout your life.

Practice mindfulness
Mindfulness is about acceptance and living in the moment by focusing on the present. Practicing mindfulness has many proven health benefits that can help you age better, including:

• Better focus
• Better memory
• Less stress
• Improved emotional response
• Satisfaction in relationships
• Better immune system

 
To practice mindfulness, try:

• Meditation
• Yoga
• Tai chi
• Drawing

Reduce your stress
The effects of stress on your body are huge, ranging from premature ageing and wrinkles to a higher risk of heart disease. There are a number of proven ways to relieve stress, including: 

• Using relaxation techniques, such as meditation, breathing exercises and yoga
• Exercising
• Getting enough sleep
• Talking to a friend

Stop smoking and consume less alcohol
Smoking and alcohol have both been shown to cause premature ageing and increase the risk of disease.

• Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but there are resources available to help you do so.Talk to a doctor about how you can stop.
• As for alcohol, limit your intake to the recommended amount to avoid health risks. That is one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men.

Get enough sleep
Sleeping well is important for your physical and mental health. It also plays a role in your skin health. How much sleep you need depends on your age. Adults over 18 should aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night.

It’s been proven that getting enough sleep reduces:

• The risk of heart disease and strokes
• Stress and depression
• The risk of obesity
• Inflammation

 
It’s been proven that getting enough sleep improves:

• Focus and concentration

Drink enough water
Drinking enough water helps you stay regular and improves your energy level and brain function. Coincidentally, it has also been proven to help keep the skin healthier and reduce signs of ageing.

How much water you should drink depends on:

• Your thirst
• Activity level
• How often you urinate and your bowels move
• How much you sweat
• Your gender

Take care of your mouth
Failing to take care of your teeth will not only age your smile but also put you at risk for gum disease, which has been linked to heart disease, strokes and bacterial pneumonia.

• In addition to good oral hygiene, it is also important to visit the dentist regularly. A dentist can recognise signs of nutritional deficiencies, infections, cancer and other diseases such as diabetes
• It is recommended to brush twice a day, floss once a day and use a mouthwash

See a doctor regularly
Seeing your doctor regularly can help detect problems early or even before they start. How often you see your doctor depends on your age, lifestyle, family history and existing conditions.
Ask your doctor how often you should go for check-ups and screening tests as you get older. Also, always see your doctor if you have any worrying symptoms.