Aging is a process of life that does not have to be dreaded. Contrary to popular thought, the changes associated with aging are not always bad. They do, in many cases present certain challenges. We present some ideas on aging in a better way.

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.

Here's a quick way to slow down the aging process; quit smoking. If you are a smoker you've heard it all your life, but it's just as true now. Smoking is a huge contributor to how old your skin looks. Plus it also reduces your life span as well. It is never to late to quit, so talk with your doctor about steps to take to put out the butts for good.

Developing good coping skills can improve the aging process. Finding the silver lining around the clouds in your life has been associated with a longer life. If you are not naturally an optimist, it's never too late to change. By focusing on the positive in your life, you can be positive you will age better.

Surround yourself with wonderful people. If you find that the people that you spend a majority of your time with are grouchy more often than they are happy, consider looking for a new group of friends to hang out with. Happiness is contagious and if you are surrounded by it, you are likely to be joyful as well.

If you want to age gracefully, then you should try to do something you like every day. By doing this, you will get fulfillment out of each and every day because you are doing something that you look forward to, which keeps you motivated to continue and keeps the enjoyment flowing.

Having balanced hormones is important for everyone as they grow older. Hormones that are out of balance can lead you to gain weight, sleep poorly or become depressed. These can lead to further problems as you age. Ask your doctor if hormone therapy is appropriate for you.

Make sure you're keeping hydrated. Your body relies heavily on water and if you're not getting enough of it, your skin is the first part of your body to suffer. This can lead to dry, lifeless skin and premature wrinkles. Not only that, but it can lead to internal problems as well. So make sure you're drinking enough water each day!

Aging is something that we have no other choice than to accept. It is going to happen no matter how hard we try to prevent it. Why not be receptive to that fact, and apply some of these sensible suggestions on taking much of the stress out of the process?