It is truly incredible what the human body can withstand. Every day we hear stories about people surviving all sorts of physical trauma, from being hit by a car to being hit by lightning. This being said, treating our bodies right is the only sure way to achieve longevity.

If you want to live a long a healthy life, and to be able to roll around and play with your grandchildren or even your great-grandchildren, there are two small precautions you should take that could change your life.

Sunscreen

Many people think that the only reason to wear sunscreen is to prevent sunburns. As it turns out, however, benefits extend far beyond saving people with pale skin from being burned. In fact every one of us, regardless of complexion, should wear sunscreen to protect ourselves from cancer and signs of aging. Applying some SPF 15 or above every morning is the first step to staying healthy and looking young.

First of all, let’s clarify one thing: ANYONE can get skin cancer, regardless of skin color. Although paler people experience skin cancer at higher rates, people with more melanin in their skin are still at risk. Wearing sunscreen every day drastically reduces your risk of getting skin cancer, and is definitely worth the 2 minutes it takes to apply.

On top of it all, many of us forget that we only have one skin, and it certainly won’t look young forever. Sun exposure from our youth becomes the fine lines and wrinkles we see when we’re 30 and the dark spots we see in our 60’s. Although it may be cool to look tan now, it is undeniably better to age gracefully. For those of us with darker skin and who don’t tan, the sunscreen rule still holds, because we all are bombarded with the same destructive UV rays every single day. So even on rainy or cloudy days, before you step out of your door remind yourself : UV rays = wrinkles!

Exercise

It goes without saying that exercise is good for you. Rather than being thought of as a weight loss tool, exercise needs to be perceived as the life-saving habit that it is. As we age out muscles deteriorate, leaving us weaker, and leaving less protection for our increasingly weak bones.

In addition, as we age our metabolisms slow down significantly, causing unhealthy fat to build up around our organs and waistlines. Creating an aerobic or running routine helps build muscle to burn fat, and keeps your heart working hard.

We mentioned skin earlier, and it is important to note that exercise also has amazing benefits for your skin. When you exercise, your circulation improves as your heart pumps blood to your body. When circulation increases, blood is pushed to the surface of your skin, stimulating the cells and giving you a glowy appearance. Proper circulation to your face prevents your skin from looking dull and lifeless, and allows important nutrients to be brought to the surface.

By Destiny Kanu