Millennials, Starting to Feel Old? Here’s How to Age Gracefully

Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

Do you remember Saturday mornings of your childhood, enjoying a bowl of Fruity Pebbles while watching the latest episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Captain Planet? Do you remember high school dances playing Britney Spears and Destiny’s Child?

Let’s not forget about jelly shoes and acid wash jeans.

If all of these things hold a special place in your nostalgic heart, you’re probably a Millennial. While it’s easy to feel like those memories happened yesterday, the Millennial generation refers to anyone born between 1981-1996. So, “Elder Millennials” are starting to feel the effects of aging – maybe more than you want to admit.

Whether it’s an aching back in the morning, less stamina throughout the day, or even skin and hair changes, it’s important to recognize that you’re aging, so you can do it with health and grace.

If you’re starting to feel old (we get it!), you’re not alone. Let’s cover a few tips on how you can age gracefully while keeping your well-being in mind.

Metabolism and Energy

If there’s one thing you’ve likely noticed as you’ve gotten older, it’s that you can’t eat the same way you used to. Ramen noodles, pizza, and late-night taco runs probably aren’t regular staples in your diet anymore (even if you want them to be).

Your metabolism changes as you get older, and so do your energy levels. Therefore, it’s incredibly important to adopt a nutrition and fitness regimen that fits your lifestyle and allows you to remain healthy as you go through your 30s and into your 40s.

A lot of these issues have to do with hormonal changes that happen naturally with age. Understanding these changes can make it easier to establish the right workout routine. For women, especially, low levels of estrogen at the beginning of each month can make it easier to focus on high-intensity exercises, while you should try lower-impact routines as each week goes by.

Exercise is important for men and women when it comes to maintaining muscle mass and bone health, but it’s just as essential to fuel your body properly. The best foods to support healthy aging include

• Extra virgin olive oil
• Green tea
• Fatty fish
• Dark chocolate
• Vegetables
• Flax seeds

While this isn’t an inclusive list, it can give you an idea of what to fill your diet with, as well as foods you might want to avoid. That doesn’t mean you can’t ever indulge in pizza or tacos, but be aware of how your body might respond.

Changes in Skin and Hair

Everyone wants to achieve that “youthful glow” with their skin. In your teens and 20s, you probably didn’t have to give it much thought. You woke up in the morning, and your skin looked healthy, bright, and wrinkle-free.

Now, if you’ve started to notice some dulling or fine lines around your eyes and mouth, you’re probably wondering what you can do to keep them from getting worse.

It’s normal for your skin and hair to change as you get older. The best thing you can do for both is to focus on your overall health, rather than targeting them individually. Common skin issues for people in their 30s include

• Cystic acne
• Uneven skin tone
• Dry skin
• Age spots

It’s also not uncommon for issues like varicose veins to start forming as early as your twenties, thanks to the natural wear and tear to your valves.

When it comes to your hair, you might experience thinning, graying, or even hair loss. While graying can be easy to cover with dye, the solutions to keeping both your skin and scalp healthy are relatively similar. Protect them both from heat and sun damage, stay hydrated, maintain a healthy diet, use natural products you trust, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep!

Improve Your Sleep Hygiene

Most of us take sleep for granted in our teens and twenties, but that’s harder to do once you hit 30. According to the National Sleep Foundation, healthy adults need anywhere from 7-9 hours of sleep to function properly. Getting enough sleep is crucial for your physical and mental well-being.

Unfortunately, it’s often easier said than done to fall asleep at a decent hour and feel well-rested in the morning. You can work to improve the amount of sleep you get by improving your sleep hygiene and establishing better habits. That includes things like

• Going to bed at the same time each night
• Waking up at the same time each morning
• Using your bedroom only for sleeping
• Turning off electronics an hour before bed
• Creating an ideal sleep environment

Getting enough sleep will help to prevent burnout and reduce stress levels. It will also help to “heal” your body by repairing your muscles and giving you enough energy to make it through your day.

It’s not always easy getting older – and even harder admitting it. However, you don’t have to feel the negative effects of aging so strongly when you’re proactive with your health. Keep these tips in mind to age gracefully and feel healthy and strong well into your next decade.