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5 habits that can make you look older than you are

Ditch these habits to look healthier and younger.

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We have yet to discover the fountain of youth, but we do know the rate at which we age—and the way we look as we age—depends heavily on lifestyle. Making small changes to your everyday routine can reap benefits like fewer wrinkles, less inflammation and clearer skin. Ditch these five lifestyle pitfalls to add years to your life and take years off your face.

Related: FindShow More

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Smoking

It’s no secret that smoking is bad for your health—and can lead to emphysema, heart disease and many types of cancer—but did you know it affects how you look, too? “Smoking is probably one of the worst things you can do,” says Pascal Bordy, MD, general practitioner at Fawcett Memorial HospitalShow More

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Not Washing Your Face at Night

Your skin needs to breathe and repair itself overnight, so it’s important to wash away the dirt and grime that accumulates throughout the day. Skimping on your nighttime routine—especially if you wear makeup—can lead to breakouts, irritation, a dull complexion and even eye infections and prematureShow More

woman sitting down with headace
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Feeling Stressed

“Nothing can make your body age faster than constant worry, anxiety and stress,” says Bordy. In fact, research suggests stress is linked with shortened telomeres, a chromosome component that’s associated with cellular aging. When a telomere has been depleted, the cell often dies, speeding up theShow More

avocado, nuts, and grains
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Cutting Out All Fats

As delicious as bacon and butter are, it’s wise to limit saturated and trans fats—the fats that can up your risk of heart disease and stroke. Just don’t ditch heart-healthy unsaturated fats, too. Salmon, nuts, avocado and olive oil contain good fats like omega-3s and monounsaturated fat. TheseShow More

man laying in bed next to alarm clock
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Not Getting Enough Sleep

Checking items off your to-do list, rather than getting a good night’s sleep, is more harmful than you think. “More than one-third of Americans don’t get the recommended amount of sleep per night,” according to Bordy. “When you get to sleep, the parasympathetic system takes over and allows the bodyShow More

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