50 Ways to Age in Reverse

Botox can freeze your face, but it can't freeze time. If the fountain of youth were easy to find, we'd all be wrinkle-free, mentally sharp, and as active as ever well into our golden years. The reality, however, is that short of discovering a time machine, most of us have no clue how to keep the aging process from hitting us hard.

The good news? There are plenty of virtually effortless ways to not only halt the aging process, but turn back time. We've rounded up the 50 easiest ways to Benjamin Button yourself — no expensive interventions necessary. And to live your happiest, healthiest and longest life, click here to discover The Fastest Way to Lose Weight When You're Over 40.

Start your day with a filling, high-protein omelet and enjoy younger-looking skin in no time. Eggs are a great way to load your diet with antioxidants of lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants, which have been linked to increased collagen production, helping you reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles that can age you.

Swapping out those refined sugar-laden treats in favor of kiwi can make your mind healthier in an instant. Kiwi packs tons of vitamins C, E, and folate, the combination of which has been linked to reduced Alzheimer's risk by the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Ditching that wimpy iceberg lettuce in favor of dark greens, like spinach, can reset your mental and physical clocks. Research published in Alzheimer's & Dementia reveals that leafy greens are an easy way to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease, keeping your brain healthy and young.

Eager to look and feel 10 years younger? Try adding some interval training to your routine. Research published in Cell Metabolism reveals that interval training works is uniquely effective at influencing the production of proteins that fuel your energy metabolism, grinding the aging process to a screeching halt.

Make your recipes more flavorful and fight aging in the process by adding some garlic to your meals. Garlic is a good source of zinc, a deficiency in which research published in Pathobiology of Aging & Age-related Diseases can accelerate the aging process and increase inflammation throughout the body. Get healthier from body to brain by adding the 26 Foods That Melt Love Handles to your menu!

The key to a healthier brain and longer life? A little mindfulness. Researchers at the University of California, Davis found that individuals who engaged in mindfulness activities for six hours a day over a three-month period increased the activity of the enzyme telomerase, which improves chromosomal health and slows the aging of the brain.

Whipping up some stuffed peppers for dinner tonight is the first step toward stopping the aging process. Bell peppers are loaded with vitamin C, which helps increase the body's natural production of collagen and elastin, according to research conducted at the University of Maryland Medical Center. In turn, this improves the elasticity of your skin, keeping you looking and feeling young for longer.

Slugs aren't the only things that shrivel up in the presence of salt —your brain does, too. Research published in Nature Reviews Neurology reveals that hypertension, a condition exacerbated by a high-sodium diet, can decrease the size of the hippocampus, causing premature brain aging.

Ditch your usual unhealthy takeout order in favor of sushi and you'll be getting younger with every bite. Research published in Nature Reviews Neurology reveals that consuming omega-3-rich fish, like salmon and tuna, can significantly decrease your risk of cognitive decline, as well as reducing inflammation that can cause aches and pains that make you feel significantly older than your chronological age.

Enjoying a vegetarian-friendly protein source, like beans, can help you get head off the less-than-pleasant effects of aging. The results of a study published in Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology reveal that foods rich in folate, like beans, can improve the antioxidant status of aging brains while increasing memory retention. Eat healthier by enjoying the 29 Best-Ever Proteins for Weight Loss!

Whole grains can do more than just help you achieve a healthy weight; it turns out they're a superfood when it comes to aging, too. Researchers at the University of Oregon's Linus Pauling Institute report that manganese-rich foods, like whole grains, are integral for promoting healthy collagen and elastin production, keeping your skin supple and ageless.

While looking better and feeling more confident are among the benefits of losing weight, ditching those unwanted pounds can have a pretty profound effect on your brain, too.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have found that being overweight or obese can have a negative effect on brain volume, potentially increasing your rate of cognitive decline in later years, so there's no time like the present to get serious about getting to your goal weight.

There's no doubt about it: we're spending too much time sitting and it's actually shaving years off our life. Research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that each hour spent sitting after age 25 decreased life expectancy by 22 minutes, so if possible, try switching to a standing desk at work —you'll burn more calories, too.

Restaurant employees are always eager to remind you that guacamole is extra, but forking over some extra cash for avocado on your favorite dish does more than just please your taste buds. Researchers at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University have discovered that lutein-rich avocado has a neuroprotective effect, helping you maintain healthy cognitive function as you age.

It's not always easy to see the world through rose-colored glasses, but trying to see the positives in life is well worth it. Research conducted at Canada's Carleton University have found that people with a positive outlook on life were the most likely to still be alive at a 14-year follow-up. That's definitely something you can feel pretty positive about. It's easier to be positive when you're not in pain — and the 30 Best Anti-Inflammatory Foods can get you there!6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

You don't have to lift your body weight or clock hours of high-intensity cardio to enjoy the youthfulness-promoting effects of exercise; just taking a daily walk can help flip the hourglass. Research published in Preventive Medicine reveals that individuals who got the most exercise turned the clock back on the cellular aging process by a whopping nine years.

The first step to staying forever young is thinking young. Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that people who felt three or more years younger than their actual age reduced their risk of mortality when compared to those who felt older than their biological age.

Engaging in youthful pursuits, like playing video games, can actually help slow the aging process. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that adults who played a 3D video game that required cognitive and physical multitasking from its players enjoyed sustained cognitive improvements more than 6 months after the study had concluded.

Go ahead, indulge your inner chocoholic. Research published in the Journal of Hypertension reveals that cocoa flavanols significantly improved endothelial function in older patients, but not in their younger counterparts. Brownies, anyone?

Free, fun, and great for weight loss, running is already a pretty awesome way to spend your time. Fortunately, for those who want to stop the aging process, it's also a potent medicine. The results of a study published in Circulation reveal that that 50-year-olds who regularly engaged in vigorous exercise, like running, were biologically younger than their less-active contemporaries. Fuel up for your workout with the 23 Best Protein Shake Recipes!

Trying to turn back the clock? Start with some squats. Research suggests that having stronger lower-body muscles can significantly decrease your risk of falling. This significantly reduces your risk of hip fractures, which are associated with a nearly 20 percent increase in mortality at the 1-year mark.

Taking a little R&R can make a major difference when it comes to aging. Research suggests that stress can shorten your DNA telomeres, robbing them of their ability to replicate to create healthy DNA sequences. Researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have also linked shortened telomeres with an increased risk of certain medical conditions and early death.

Sip your way to a healthier, more youthful body with some black tea. A single cup of black tea packs 47 percent of your daily manganese, which researchers at the University of Oregon have linked to increased production of skin-smoothing collagen.

Chaos may keep you on your toes, but getting organized and motivated can help you live a longer, healthier life. Researchers at Rush University Medical Center found that people who believed themselves to have high levels of discipline and achievement reduced their Alzheimer's risk by as much as 89 percent.

Spending time with a pet is good for your heart in more than just a metaphorical sense. The American Heart Association reveals that individuals with four-legged friends at home had lower rates of hypertension, heart disease, and high cholesterol than those who shied away from animal companions, while research conducted by the Minnesota Stroke Institute revealed that having a cat in the house can slash your heart attack risk by a third. Find more reasons to spend time with your furry friend by discovering the 10 Ways Dogs Make You Healthier!

Enjoying some sweet, juicy oranges can help keep your skin smooth and glowing as you age.
The boost of vitamin C you get from oranges not only improves your immune health, reducing your risk of developing certain diseases and infections, it can also boost your body's collagen production, leaving you lineless.

Stay in school —it could just be the key to a longer life. Research published in Review of Economic Studies found that going to school for just a single additional year can increase your lifespan by 18 months.

C'mon, get happy! Researchers at the University of Illinois, Champaign found that people who reported themselves as being happy lived longer than those who saw the glass half-empty.

Finding some inner peace through meditation can help you reset the clock on the aging process. Researchers at Emory University's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences found that individuals who regularly meditated lost less gray matter and had improved attention when compared to their meditation-shunning counterparts.

They say cleanliness is next to godliness, but more importantly, it can help you live a longer life. If you need some incentive to give your housekeeper the week off, consider this: one study reveals that individuals in their 70s and 80s who cleaned their own house lowered their risk of death by as much as 30 percent.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make it count by adding some oatmeal to your menu. Research conducted at Tufts University reveals that people who eat oatmeal for breakfast may have better short-term memories than those who opt for less-healthy options. Take some oatmeal inspiration from our 50 Best Overnight Oats Recipes!

Adding a few black currants to your oatmeal or favorite baked goods can make you look and feel years younger than you are. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition reveals that obese individuals who ate black currants were more likely to maintain their weight loss, and black currant's high antioxidant content can improve the health of your brain, helping improve your memory as you get older.

Cut down on your TV time can add years to your life. Researchers in Australia have found that individuals who watched an average of 6 hours of TV on a daily basis shaved nearly 5 years off their lifespan when compared to those who didn't tune in at all.

Kicking off your day with grapefruit can help you slim down and smooth your skin at the same time. Not only have researchers at Vanderbilt University linked grapefruit consumption to increased weight loss, this fruit's high vitamin C content can ramp up your collagen production, too.

Whether you're passionate about teaching, love to cook, or just want to spend your days making Miley Cyrus fan art, having a purpose in life is a powerful weapon against aging.
Research published in Psychological Science reveals that those who felt a sense of purpose in life lived significantly longer than their aimless counterparts.

Whip up a batch of kale chips and watch your timeline on brain aging reset itself.
According to research published in the Annals of Neurology, upping your intake of leafy greens, like kale, significantly reduces your risk of cognitive decline. Enjoy better health and a flatter belly today by adding our 50 Cheap and Easy Slow Cooker Recipes to your regular lineup!

Say "Om" and say hello to a younger body and brain. Research published in the July 2008 edition of the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reveals that perimenopausal women who added yoga to their regular routine not only decreased menopause symptoms, like hot flashes, but improved their memories, too.

Opt for brown rice instead of white and you can put the kibosh on brain aging. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition reveals that a diet rich in whole grains, like brown rice, improved mental acuity in older adults.

A few tomatoes on that salad can help you halt the aging process in its tracks. Thanks to their high lycopene content, tomatoes can help stave off degenerative diseases and improve memory retention, according to a study conducted at the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Butter isn't just bad for your belly, it's also bad for your brain. Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found that women who consumed the greatest amounts of saturated fat, like butter, also experienced the most pronounced memory loss and cognitive troubles. For a healthier way to make your meals rich, opt for olive oil instead.

Get healthier from the inside out by making almonds your go-to snack. Not only are almonds high in lysine, which builds collagen, a study published in the Brain Research Bulletin reveals that eating almonds can both improve memory retention and slash your risk of risk of future memory lapses as you age. Make healthier snack choices today by adding the 40 Best-Ever Fat-Burning Foods to your menu!

Starting some brain training today can help keep your mind youthful as you age. Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA reveals that adults of all ages who used visual imagery-based mnemonic devices experienced greater functionality in parts of their brain, potentially staving off memory loss and other forms of cognitive decline.

Not only can going meatless significantly reduce the saturated fat content in your food, helping you maintain a healthier mind, mushrooms can also keep your skin soft and supple.
Mushrooms are a good source of copper, which has been shown to increase collagen production, so don't be afraid to sub out those burgers for portobellos from time to time.

Have yourself an old-fashioned clam bake and enjoy healthier, younger-looking skin. Clams are a great source of inflammation-fighting omega-3s, as well as manganese, which can boost your collagen and elastin production.

Good news, social butterflies: all that time spent socializing can help you live longer.
Research published in PLoS One reveals that individuals with limited opportunities to socialize were about 50 percent more likely to die in the 7.5 years post-study than those who regularly spent quality time with friends and family.

Antioxidant-rich green tea is well-known as a great metabolism-booster, and its benefits when it comes to aging are equally impressive. Researchers in Norway have found that individuals in their 70s who drank the most flavonoid-rich tea performed higher on a cognitive test than those who abstained, so try subbing out your usual coffee for a green tea once in a while if you're trying to stay forever young. Sip your way slim today with the 21 Best Teas For Weight Loss!

A little turmeric in your food can yield major benefits for your brain.
Research conducted at the University of Southern California's Department of Neurology have linked turmeric consumption to lower rates of Alzheimer's and improved cognitive function.

Whip up a batch of bone broth and say hello to a younger, healthier you. Not only is bone broth a great source of collagen, a study published in Frontiers in Neurology reveals that the amino acids in foods like bone broth can speed up the healing time for individuals with brain injuries, signifying potential benefits for the aging brain, too.

The fountain of youth might actually be spouting wine. Research published in the Journal of Nutrition reveals that, among a group of men and women aged 70 to 74, those who regularly drink antioxidant-rich beverages, including wine, were mentally fitter than those who abstained. We'll toast to that!

After years spent working, you may look forward to spending your days reading, gardening, and traveling, but research suggests that delaying your retirement just slightly can yield major benefits in terms of your life expectancy. Researchers at Oregon State University have found that healthy individuals who continued to work past age 65 decreased their risk of overall mortality by 11 percent, while unhealthy individuals reduced their risk of death by 9 percent. Start your path to a longer life by adding the 30 Things to Do 30 Minutes Before Bed to Lose Weight to your routine!