Last Updated on March 31, 2025 by Michelle
Everyone older than 20 is aging. In modern times, well aging becomes even more crucial as people live longer.
We want to live well as we age, not just live longer bed-ridden. This isn’t a focus just for older people, but needs to start as early as at age 20 when we generally stop growing. Right at the point of stopping growth at around 20, we start to age.
In the next 3-part blog, I will demystify what modern humans, especially women need to think about in the well aging journey. This blog will first demystify well aging in terms of physical sense.
On well aging physically, you’d be glad to know that 3 out of 4 steps are the most basic human functions and the first 2 cost no money at all.
In the demystification process, I will try to break down in the simplest steps. We probably all know what we need to do, it’s just that we find it hard to execute. As such, I’ll put in a one liner action you can take to systemize your way to well aging.
1. Move
Sitting is the New Smoking. Humans are made to move. As recent as 200 years ago, about 90% of the world lived in agricultural communities where our ancestors were up and about doing some physical activities to survive, sitting less than 5 hours a day. In modern times, an average person sits for 10-13 hours a day. It’s no wonder why we see more illnesses in modern humans.
Before even talking about exercising 4 times a week, let’s start walking. Take the stairs, walk or cycle to the groceries instead of driving. Incorporate 1 movement into your daily lifestyle – mine is to take the stairs in between office floors instead of taking the lift.
2. Sleep
Sleeping sufficiently (7-8 hours/day) is essential for your immune system, circulatory system, brain functions and skin rejuvenation.
It is when we are sleeping that our brains remove waste from our system, a study showed that toxins linked to Alzhemier’s disease were removed twice as fast from the brain during sleep.
Sarah Aswell states in the article that It is when we are sleeping that our skin’s blood flow increases and the organ rebuilds its collagen and repairs damage from UV exposure, reducing wrinkles and age spots.
At 10pm, picture yourself how switching off your lights and putting the phone/Netflix away will help you get to healthy body, mind and skin. You can always get to the phone/Netflix show tomorrow. Right now at 10pm, you should prioritize your well aging journey.
3. Eat
Another basic human action. Everyone knows eating a well balanced diet will help us age well.
The difficult part is taking action.
I found it to be helpful to put to action when I know the direct impact something bad or something good has. For eg, how the order of what we eat makes a difference to our health.
Per Glucose Goddess, eating fibres then proteins then carbs and sugars last will help to prevent glucose spike which leads to multiple diseases like diabetes. Knowing this kept me from having salads for lunch about 3 times a year up to 2024 to having salads 80% of my weekday lunches this year. Just like that. Of course, the reason I was able to switch so quickly is not just because of the direct impact knowledge but also because I’d already succeeded in incorporating easy digestable daily habits as mentioned in the earlier blog on atomic habits. The secret is to just action today. No procrastination. It’s easier than you think.
4. Skincare
Your skin gives away your age, most of the time. However, given the modern dermatological advancements in cosmetics, supplements and treatments, you should take full advantage of looking years younger if you wish.
As a female, as I started growing older, I found myself being inspired by healthy and glowy skin, free of obvious pigmentation and age spots. When one ages gracefully, you would imagine the person with healthy, even skintone and graceful wrinkles that shows when she smiles.
So what do you need to do? I discovered a Korean dermatologist youtuber who spoke of a daily skincare routine. I’ve been trying this for about 1.5 years and I totally believe in his recommendations!
Morning: Vitamin C serum, Vitamin B serum (Niacinamide), eye cream, simple moisturiser, sunblock
Night: Vitamin C serum, Vitamin B serum (Niacinamide), Retinol, eye cream, simple moisturiser
You can use any serum that suits your skin, but I have been using affordable brands and I love the routine. It’s simple, affordable and makes my skin glow.
I can go on about a full post on sunblocks but I will leave it as this link for now. Key is to apply two fingers of sunblock and to reapply every 2-3 hours when you are in the sun. A hack is to check the UV Index on your iphone Weather app ◡̈
That wraps up the first post on physically aging well. I would guarantee if you follow these 4 simple steps, you are on your way to systemizing your well aging process physically!
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