The aging process is divided into two categories according to experts: internal and external.
Intrinsic aging is due to genetic factors, while extrinsic aging is related to lifestyle such as alcohol consumption, smoking, diet, exercise and stress management.
Dr. Neil Pauvlin in New York, known as a longevity doctor, brings up one of the main causes of aging and that is sleep.
Here is the No. 1 mistake you should avoid if you don't want to age quickly:
Why does lack of sleep accelerate aging?
With our fast-paced lifestyles, sleep is often sacrificed by choice or necessity. Quality sleep is the key to a healthy life.
When we sleep, the body regenerates itself. Seven to eight hours of sleep a night helps improve cellular and tissue health, cognitive function, immunity, energy levels and metabolism.
Meanwhile, lack of sleep can cause a number of health problems, including high blood pressure, depression, obesity, stroke, diabetes and heart disease.
Lack of sleep can cause:
1. Wrinkles and premature aging of the skin
Our skin is made up of several proteins, including collagen and elastin, which help keep it strong and healthy. Some studies show that insufficient sleep can affect the quality and strength of collagen and elastin, which can lead to wrinkles and skin laxity, or sagging.
2. Impairment of cognitive abilities
Lack of sleep can cause a decline in motor skills, slow information processing, decrease attention, emotional capacity and impair our judgment.
3. Weak immunity
Our body is protected by the immune system. During sleep, the immune system produces cells that help the body fight various diseases. At the end of a sleep cycle, cells move to the parts of the body where they are needed. Studies show that when we do not get full and comfortable sleep, the body is not able to effectively fight the cells that "threaten" health.
Source: CNBC
