Life has a funny way of showing you that what you thought you knew wasn't really right at all. Getting older means getting wiser, but most people still do not know much at all until they've lived through it and can use hindsight. Be proactive instead of reactive as you age. Use these aging tips to learn about the process.

Aging is not a bad thing. With more years comes knowledge. You know the old saying “older but wiser” and that's true. Think of all the life experiences you've had compared to those that are young, and make sure to enjoy the naivety of those that you were once like.

Living can be very hard work. Even if you do not have a job outside of the home, it is going to take it out of you some days. Take the time to rest now and then. You could do this every day if your schedule permits but if it does not, be sure to rest and relax at least a couple times a week.

Exercise is necessary for healthy aging. Regular exercise can delay or prevent heart disease and Diabetes as well as lessen the pain of Arthritis, depression and anxiety. Four kinds should be followed: aerobics to build endurance and keep your heart and blood vessels healthy; strength training to reduce age-related loss of muscle; stretching to keep your body flexible; and balance exercises to reduce your chances of falling.

Maintaining hormonal balance is of increasing importance as people age. A hormone imbalance can cause insomnia, weight gain and even depression. These things are hard enough to deal with in general, but when added to the burden's an aging person already faces, sometimes it can be almost too much to handle. If you find yourself suffering from any of these symptoms, please see a doctor in order to find the best treatment to balance out your hormones, so the aging process is a much more pleasant experience.

Many times we are guilty of not wearing sunscreen, but this is one of the main factors in skin aging. The effects of sun damage can take years to develop and the years spent sunbathing at the beach when we were young will come back to haunt you. So make it a point to always wear sunscreen, healthy skin depends on it.

A critical factor to prevent aging and increase lifespan is to not smoke. Smoking destroys the body and speeds up the aging process. Smoking is the easiest way to look older and shorten your lifespan at the same time. It causes disease, ages the skin, and is overall one of the main preventable killers known to man.

Deciding to get proactive with the aging process means that you're not willing to leave things to chance. The tips you've just read in this article can help you lead a healthier and more active lifestyle. They will help you to actually understand the aging process and what you can do to go with the flow instead of struggling to swim upstream.