There’s nothing worse than trudging to the mirror in the morning and looking at a reflection that appears old and haggard. Getting old is certainly no picnic, as you watch wrinkles form and your skin begin to sag. But take heart! There are 7 habits that researchers have identified as the key causes of premature aging. If you kick these bad habits before you begin that downward spiral, you can look your best at any age.

1. Life’s a drag. Especially when you’re smoking. Yes, this should come as no surprise, but smokers or people who are exposed to an inordinate amount of second-hand smoke will develop wrinkles earlier than they should. Smoke dries your skin out and depletes your body of vitamin C – a necessary component for youthful and healthy-looking skin. Smoking can be almost as harmful to your skin as ultraviolet rays from the sun… not to mention what it does to the rest of your body. Do yourself a favor and quit this nasty habit.

2. Just because you’ve finished a hard day at work… doesn’t mean you have to lift up your glass and down a few brewskies every night. Drinking alcohol in moderation is fine, but excess alcohol can lead to damaged blood vessels in your skin that can give you that red, flushed appearance. You may even see broken blood vessels near your skin’s surface. Too much to drink is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as more than one drink a day for the ladies and two for men.

3. Don’t freak out! You know when you’re stressed out, your body suffers. You don’t take care of yourself. You don’t eat right. You don’t sleep right. And you wear your stress all over your body in terms of dark circles, wrinkles, and dull skin. Learning to relax and manage your stress can help you retain your youthful appearance.

4. Get out… and exercise your body! You know you should at least exercise to keep your girlish figure, but exercising can also help you avoid premature aging by toning your muscles and promoting healthy blood flow. By exercising regularly you can keep your skin looking healthy and young.

5. The sun will come out… so you better make sure you protect yourself with a good suntan lotion that has an SPF of 15 or higher. Also try to wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your face if you’re going to be out in the sun for longer than an hour. Too much sun exposure can cause dry skin, wrinkles, brown spots, or even cancer. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should avoid the sun altogether. In fact, your body needs the sun’s ray to get the necessary vitamin D to stay healthy. Researchers recommend about 30 minutes a day in the sun.

6. Cold as ice… just as the sun will burn your skin, exposure to extreme cold temperatures or strong winds can also play a part in premature aging. Too much cold can cause chapped and dry skin that can lead to irritations and eventually… signs of aging. Protect yourself against the cold by moisturizing every chance you get to avoid dry, patchy skin.

7. Sugar baby… it sure tastes sweet but it can wreck havoc on your body. Eating a poor diet rich in sugars and grains can cause your insulin levels to spike and do major damage to your body. Make sure your diet consists of healthy carbs like green vegetables, good fats like coconut oil, and proteins found in fish and lean chicken. Also, plenty of antioxidants will help protect and nourish your skin leaving it looking healthy and beautiful, without the signs of premature aging.

By breaking yourself of these 7 habits that can cause premature aging, you can ensure you look and feel your age and not a day older.

About the writer

Dr Kevin Lau is a Chiropractor and Nutritionist. In 2006, he was awarded the "Practitioner of the Year Award" by the Straits Time, Singapore. To date, Dr. Lau has successfully treated patients with scoliosis, slipped disc, sciatica and other chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease without drugs or surgery. Special offer for readers check www.spinal.com.sg for more details.