Strip away the years with these activities and attitudes guaranteed to make you feel and look younger - no surgery needed
Breathe slowly and deeply
Taking shallow breaths can lead to low levels of carbon dioxide in the bllod, which has been linked with having an irregular heartbeat. It also reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, leaving you tired and forgetful. Slow your breathing to 10 breaths per minutes (breathe in for a count of three and out for a count of three) and breathe so that your stomach expands, not your chest.
Take up the tango
Scientist say it demands an unusual combination of mental and physical activity, thereby helping to maintain healthy brain cells and keep you young.
EXERCISE -BUT ONLY MODERATELY
Intense exercises uses up oxygen and produces ageing free radicals, which is why some athletes have depressed immune systems and look older than their years. Moderate exercise stimulates the production of the body's antioxidant enzymes and slows the ageing process. Aim for at least 30 minutes of brisk walking a day.
Make love
According to psychologist Dr David Weeks, who studied 3,500 people who all looked around 10 years younger than they were, one factor nearly all of them shared was a good sex life within a caring, trusting relationship. On average, the youngest-looking participants has sex three times a week.
Get enough sleep
When you enter the deepest stage of sleep, growth hormone is release from the pituitary gland, which increase the amount of nutrients taken up by cells and increases the rate at which cells divide, encouraging the growth and repair of muscle and bone and stimulating the immune system. If you don't get enough sleep, you miss out on this stage, giving your body less chance to repair itself.
See yourself young
Your mind moves towards the goals you create, so if you think of and picture yourself as ageing and out of shape, that's what you'll be. Think of yourself as a youthful, energetic person and you'll start to act like one.
Chill out
Feeling pressured, frustrated and stressed? Flooding your body with the stress hormone adrenaline is an easy way to accelerate the ageing process. It causes an increase in blood sugars, which is thought to trigger a process called glycosylation, when sugars binding to DNA may cause damage leading to skin aging.
Look on the bright side
An optimistic attitude helps the body's immune system fight dicease and stave off the ageing process, according to one major US study. Optimists are also more likely to take care of themselves.
Always have breakfast
Breakfast-eaters fight ageing better than those who skip it - as long as they choose wholegrain-based cereals. Add a cup of green tea and some fruit to boost your levels of disease-fighting antioxidants.
Phone a friend
Aim to contact one friend or relative everyday. People with a strong social network of friends and family tend to live longer and healthier lives than more solitary types. Studies of people who are lonely and show that isolation is as dangerous as high blood pressure, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and possibly even smoking - all factors that add years to you.
Personal Healthy Living Blog where I share some interesting stories, and articles I've read and find it enjoyable and well worth reading!