Whoever said that age is a virtue must not have looked in the mirror after waking up. Aging can be tough, especially as wrinkles and gray hair start appearing and your middle starts widening. These things happen to all of us, and one of the best things you can do is cultivate an attitude of acceptance.

Aging can have many undesirable effects on the body. Nobody looks forward to the obvious signs of aging. To keep your appearance looking younger and more youthful, stay away from recreational drugs and alcohol. These substances can have a devastating effect on skin, hair and teeth, making a person look much older than their biological age. They can damage the internal organ systems as well, so hold on to your youth and steer clear!

You may think grabbing an afternoon cup of tea is only for old folk, but it actually works to help keep you young. Tea is incredibly rich in those, oh so useful, antioxidants which help protect our cells from aging. The practice of having a cup of tea is also a great stress reliever, so go ahead and sip away.

Exercise can improve the aging process. As we get older, our muscle mass naturally declines, making everyday activities more difficult and reducing the number of calories we burn. While aerobic exercise helps maintain muscle mass and control weight, resistance exercise has the added benefit of helping maintain bone mass.

Healthy aging encompasses all of your relationships in your life. Being involved in local community activities has been proven to increase both your health and your life span. Make sure to have plenty of interactions with people whom you feel very comfortable with and can talk to about anything.

Wherever you are, look for ways to make others happy. It is a blessing to your life to be able to make others happy. Happiness is a gift that is worth so much, yet it is free to give.

To make sure you are getting a proper amount of nutrients in your life as you age, try drinking smoothies, three to four times each week. Smoothies taste great and are chock full of good things. They typically contain up to five nutritional servings of fruits and vegetables. Even better, smoothies are rather filling, so as a light lunch or a snack, they can help you control your cravings and lose weight!

Do not let others make you feel as if you are less of a person now than you were in your youth. You may require more care from others than you used to but you are just as important and it is crucial that you remember who you were and who you are for the rest of your life.

Stop multitasking! Your mind cannot function the way that it once did. You will find it easier and far less stressful if you do not try to accomplish as many things at once. Avoiding stress is important as you get older to avoid doing damage to your heart and your body.

For certain people, however, age can represent wisdom, real friends, and a relaxed lifestyle. Aging will not be a bad thing if you surround yourself with people and things that you love dearly.