The old folk wisdom is entirely correct: Old age is not for sissies. The aging process can be exasperating, irritating and even frightening. It is inevitable, though, and not all of its effects are unavoidable. This article shares a few tips that can help minimize the negative impact of the aging process.

Determine how much sleep your body needs a night and then make sure you get it. Lack of good regular sleep is a possible cause of premature aging. Just because you're getting older does not mean that you need less sleep. Our bodies function better when they have had a full nights sleep. Studies have shown that it is very hard to recover from a sleep deficit so keep to a pattern as much as possible.

Do not leave the house without sunscreen to avoid looking older faster. The UV radiation from the sun can severely damage your skin and it is a major contributor to how your face looks. Also know that too much sun exposure can lead to certain cancers so wear sunscreen every day.

Make sure to get sun, but not too much. As you age, it's important to find a balance when it comes to taking in direct sunlight. It's important, as sunlight is a great way to get vitamin D into your system, but too much sun can have seriously effects on aging skin like sever burns and skin cancer. Manage your time in the sun, and when you are out in it, wear high SPF sunscreen.

While your body may not feel as spry as it used to when you were younger, you will still want to get exercise to keep it working at top capacity. Exercising feels good because it releases endorphins, which makes you feel good. A quick walk around the block or even around the mall will have you feeling better in no time.

It might be harder as you age to take care of things as you used to. Now is the time to simplify. This could be as easy as cleaning out a drawer or even a closet. Once you have seen that you can reduce the clutter, and get rid of things that don't serve a purpose any longer, you can then move on to other parts of your life that need simplification.

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.

This information is just a small fraction of the good advice available on the aging process. Everyone is going to grow old in time. Those people who face the reality of aging and gather information on how to do it well are destined to enjoy a less stressful, healthier journey into their later years.