Who doesn’t want to look good after middle age and beyond? Since the beginning of time, people have been searching for the fountain of youth or anything that will come close to delaying the aging process. So far that fountain hasn’t been found, but many are seeking comfort in good diet practices, regular exercise and good skincare habits. But that’s not all you can do to preserve your youth.

Did you know that the more you stress yourself out, the easier you’re making it for old age to creep up on you? It’s true. Studies show that those who lead a stressful lifestyle without coping skills can affect your body physically as well as emotionally. The more stress you have, the harder you are making it for yourself so do yourself a favor and relax! High-pressure jobs, family issues, and everyday worries can pile up and cause more damage than you may be aware of. By learning to handle and release stress in a positive way, you can, in fact, slow the aging process. Think about it: how easy is it to get upset? Instead of taking the time to give in to your anger or stress, take all that negative energy and turn it into something good, such as exercise, massage, acupressure or meditation. You’ll be surprised how at ease your entire being will be once you take a moment to slow down and simply breathe your worries away.

Another way to age gracefully is by embracing the fact that you’re aging! Sound a little crazy? It’s not. In Okinawa, Japan, for example, you are considered a “child” until you turn 55! Aging is actually celebrated by the Japanese. When you maintain a positive outlook on your later years, your entire attitude, mind and body will follow. Those who get sour with each birthday that passes only make it easier for the signs of aging to appear. Leading an uplifting lifestyle where you welcome the natural aging process has been shown to be so effective that in aging women, the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, can be drastically reduced.

In addition to being proud of your age, being proud of yourself and your accomplishments in life is great for an extended bout of well-being. Surrounding yourself with friends, family and other loved ones has been proven to effectively increase longevity and overall health. People with a sense of purpose are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety, which results in a healthier and happier lifestyle. When you feel good on the inside, it will show. As you get older, your body won’t be able to handle the same things it did a decade ago so break any bad habits you have now - that includes drinking too much alcohol and smoking. However, there is one drink that you may be pleased to know is perfectly okay to include: red wine. Many medical studies have found that drinking one to two glasses of red wine a day can reduce the risk of heart attack in middle age individuals by as much as 30-50%. In addition to this, red wine also has the ability to raise good cholesterol, lower bad cholesterol, prevent blood clots and reduce blood vessel damage caused by fat deposits. Of course this doesn’t mean you should crack open all your bottles to drink and be merry. Moderation is the key to this anti-aging secret.

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