We’ve all met someone who looks phenomenal for their age. What's their secret?

10 secrets for aging gracefully:

Sleep

‘Get your beauty sleep’ is not just some old adage to take lightly. Getting an adequate amount of sleep each night (7-8 hours at least) is conducive to looking rested, and a rested visage equates to a younger appearance. Sleep also gives the body the chance to fully repair, regenerate, and rebuild.

Diet

And yet another old adage rings true: ‘you are what you eat.’ What you put on the inside will certainly reflect on the outside. It is important to consume a balanced, nutritious diet that boasts of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats (i.e., avocados, wild salmon) and drink plenty of water. Of course, check with your physician first before making any changes in your diet. Click here for some of the best foods for beautiful skin!

Exercise

An active lifestyle is a fantastic way to get glowing, radiant skin. Here’s why: exercise promotes blood circulation, which thereby encourages a healthy looking glow to the skin. Secondly, exercise releases endorphins in your brain, which contributes to an elevated mood. It’s a win win—a glowing complexion and mood booster is sure to amp up the anti-aging quotient. Exercise doesn’t need to be dreadful and boring either. If you’re not a treadmill person, try something fun like salsa dancing or biking on a picturesque mountain trail.

Stay Positive

As insignificant as it may seem, cultivating a joyful, positive attitude and surrounding yourself with positive, encouraging people enhances our spirit, which in turn, helps to keep us younger longer.

Proper Skin Care

Youthful looking skin is largely contingent on a proper skin care regimen that is catered for one’s skin type. Moreover, it is important to avoid certain practices that can sabotage your complexion such as smoking or not removing makeup before bedtime. To determine the best products for your skin, take our online skin analysis. (Check out what happened to this woman when she didn't remove her makeup for bed for an entire month.)

Avoid the Sun

One of the top contributing factors to premature aging and wrinkling is sun exposure. It is best to avoid it as much as possible, and if you do bask in the sun, wear a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Many people who are over 40 and wrinkle-free say that their secret to looking young is to “stay out of the sun!” Perhaps this seems too militant, but your skin will thank you. It’s all about prevention, prevention, prevention and it’s much easier than repairing, repairing, repairing.

Invest in Anti-Aging Products

In addition to proper skin care, it is beneficial to incorporate anti-aging products in your regimen to help promote a youthful looking complexion and to help slow down the formation of signs of aging (such as crow’s feet and fine lines). If anti-aging products are foreign to you, start off by using two items such as an eye cream and facial serum to get yourself acclimated. Be mindful that you must choose products in accordance with your skin type. For instance, oily skin does not require a super hydrating, rich night cream that was designed for dry skin.

Get a Dog (or any furry pet)

Although this is not a proven fact, studies show that having a pet—namely an animal with fur such as a dog, cat, or ferret—may lengthen your life span up to a whopping 10 years.

Perform Selfless Acts

Putting the needs of others before your own is highly rewarding because kind, selfless acts will enhance your life and give you a sense of purpose. This cannot help but feed your soul and keep you young longer. Philanthropic people testify that doing good deeds has given them fulfillment and longevity.

Live Life to the Fullest

You only live once, so live life to the fullest. Don’t deprive yourself of a piece of decadent chocolate cake now and then or a much-deserved vacation to your favorite spot. A life of moderation is more conducive to a longer lifespan as opposed to a life of deprivation. Be daring and do something a little risky such as bungee jumping or parasailing. An adventurous streak reinforces a younger spirit. Furthermore, try new things like an exotic dish or learn a new language. The sky is the limit.

Age is just a number. Put these 10 tips into practice and age gracefully!