With the exception of children and teenagers, almost everyone wants to look younger. However, while expensive lotions and cosmetic treatments can certainly improve your appearance, the more acceptable investment is to modify your daily activities. It turns out that the biggest anti-aging secrets may lie in your daily habits.

We have put together a list of the most common mistakes you need to stop making if you want to stay healthy and young for a long time.

You’re using straws on a daily basis.

© Komsan Loonprom / Shutterstock.com© Michaelheim / Shutterstock.com

Straws are not only harmful to the environment, but also to our face. Scientists have shown how using a straw promotes the formation of fine lines and wrinkles around the lips.

Also, repeatedly contracting the same muscles can break down your collagen over time, which can make you look older than you are.

You’re eating lots of cake and other pastries.

According to the researchers, baked cakes and other sweets are often high in added sugars and fats, which contribute to weight gain and poor oral health.

In addition to promoting unhealthy microbiota, sugar is pro-inflammatory. These attributes can accelerate aging, leaving you looking tired, puffy, and wrinkled.

You’re not getting enough sleep.

According to scientific research, sleeping less than 7 hours each night can shorten life expectancy. In addition, it will make you look and feel much older than you are.

First, lack of sleep depletes the mental and physical energy needed to get through a typical day, to the point where personal and professional success becomes a huge challenge. Second, inadequate sleep is harmful to the body, especially the heart and brain.

Third, human growth hormone is also created during sleep, which leads to healthy muscle tone.

You’re not wearing sunglasses.

Even if the light outside doesn’t seem very bright, you should always wear sunglasses. Protecting your eyes from the sun helps preserve vision. Also, frequent squinting in bright light accelerates the formation of fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead.

Since sunbathing can give you a healthy-looking glow, tanning has become very popular. However, prolonged exposure to the sun or a tanning bed can cause pigmentation irregularities, especially around the eyes.

You’re following crash dieting.

Crash diets, despite their appeal, are never a good idea. It is not a permanent solution. According to research, crash diets can make you feel older by lowering energy levels, making it harder to concentrate, and leading to depression.

The inability of the skin to respond to weight loss can also lead to wrinkles and sagging. Weight control is essential to good health, but you shouldn’t try to lose more than 1 or 2 pounds a week.

Do any of these things sound like you? Do you know of other things you might do that could make you seem older?

Preview photo credit Komsan Loonprom / Shutterstock.comMichaelheim / Shutterstock.com