One of the most widely discussed films of the past year, "The Substance", starring Demi Moore, tells the story of a major Hollywood star who, at the end of her career, after being fired because of her age, does a very radical thing she can to stay forever young.

Although this is a highly far-fetched representation of people's desire for youth, this desire still exists within most of us as a constant longing and constant, daily effort. We all strive to maintain a youthful vitality, investing in skincare routines and healthy lifestyles. Yet, despite our best efforts, certain ingrained habits might silently accelerate the aging process without us even being aware. These aren't necessarily the apparent culprits but rather subtle daily choices that, over time, can contribute to premature wrinkles, dull skin, decreased energy levels, and even impact our cognitive function. Recognizing these unconscious aging habits is the first crucial step towards making positive changes that can help us look and feel younger for longer.

Insomnia, an insidious enemy

Even though we have a very busy life, with a full-time job and other daily obligations that can be sometimes stressful, here is the oxymoron that happens when it comes to our night’s sleep: no matter how tired we are, we just can't seem to calm down and fall asleep. Just reflect on how many times you have felt exhausted and sleepy all day, and then at night, you just can't relax, ending up spending endless hours scrolling through your mobile phone.

Apart from the lack of energy that sleepless nights can cause, lack of sleep is considered the number one cause of premature aging of our skin and body. Our body needs at least 7 to 9 hours of quality sleep daily to truly rest and adequately carry out the cell renewal process that we need.

So, if you feel that your sleep is insufficient or you follow poor sleeping patterns, maybe it’s time to invest in a new comfortable pillow, buy a relaxing lavender spray, drink a hot beverage, and head into bed. Do everything you can to deal with insomnia, and you will immediately see the difference in yourself. Your skin will definitely thank you.

Let the sunshine in

Who doesn't love the sun? Even those who don't claim to be big fans of summer certainly enjoy a nice iced coffee in the sunshine, with the warm sun pouring its warmth upon them.

You most likely belong to this category. However, even long before summer, you should never forget sunscreen for your face. It is the best and most effective protection you can offer your skin, the best shield against wrinkles.

Besides, as Coco Chanel, the fashion inspiration, said, "The only place in the world where you don't need sunscreen is where you need a flashlight." Well, she is right!

Tasty but unhealthy junk food

It's hard for most people to resist a delicious, juicy burger. Or on a skewer wrapped with crispy French fries. And, of course, you don’t need to eliminate junk food from your life altogether. But it's all a matter of frequency and quality choices.

So, even if you don’t feel like spending much time in the kitchen, try to resist the temptation of a takeaway every single day. Instead, look for other solutions, such as quick and easy pasta recipes that you can make within 10 minutes or delicious one-pot meals that can be made in a few minutes. Limit your junk food intake to once a week, and you will immediately feel the difference in your body and energy levels.

Anxiety about everything

Stress is an indicator of our daily lives that plays a very important role not only in our mental health but also in our physical health, as it is a potential factor in autoimmune diseases and other health problems. At the same time, intense stress is a primary cause of body, mind, and face aging since, ultimately, what happens on the inside shows on the outside.

It’s not always easy to just reduce anxiety and stress altogether, but with a little effort, you can at least keep it in normal levels that don’t affect your overall health and well-being. There are several stress management techniques, approved by experts, that you can implement to reduce anxiety levels once in for all.

Sedentary life

Whether we like it or not, nowadays, we spend most of our day sitting in a chair, whether that's our car seat or our office chair. It doesn't matter how comfortable the particular chair is since it is now scientifically proven that the human body is not made to spend so many hours in this specific sitting position and that it is precisely this stagnation and lack of activity that harms us without us even realizing it.

It may be worth pushing yourself to get moving at least 2-3 times per week, as statistics show that people who move and exercise stay young for much longer. On the contrary, a sedentary lifestyle is one of the main factors that age us, preventing good blood flow in the body and causing wear and tear on our joints.

Smoking

Smoking and vaping are two of the biggest threats to our health. Perhaps no part of our organism and body is not worn down by this bad habit, and so aging simply seems like a completely rational consequence. Making a serious effort to quit smoking will not only give you more years of youth, but it will also have dozens of other benefits for your overall health and energy.