Are Your Work Habits Making You Look Older?

Getting older may be a fact of life, but that doesn’t mean we have to expedite the process. Unfortunately, some of our habits are doing just that—especially at work. Oprah recently highlighted a few of the worst work habits that can lead to premature aging, plus a few ways you can avoid adding years to your youthful appearance.

We think her tips are great and easy to adapt whether you’re in an office all day, running a home-based business, or wrangling your kids and managing the house.

Diversify your drinks

Who else is guilty of living solely on coffee throughout the workday? We hate to break it to you, but you may want to swap a bit of that caffeine for more water. As a natural diuretic, too much coffee can dehydrate you—which isn’t only bad for your overall health but can also wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it parched, dull, and flaky.

Ways to fight back

• You don’t have to give up all other drinks, but make sure you’re drinking around 64oz of water every day.
• Your home or office’s HVAC system may also be zapping moisture from the air, so consider purchasing a cute personal humidifier for your workspace. Just be sure not to place it too close to any electronics.
• Keep a moisturizing face spray or quality cream at hand for when things are feeling dry.

Avoid straining your eyes

Most people who work at a computer know that it’s important to get up and move every so often, but this isn’t just for your circulation—it’s for your eyes too! Squinting at your screen or furrowing your brow in concentration can lead to deep facial creases over time.

Ways to fight back

• Adjust the lighting and contrast of your screen so you don’t strain your vision, which in turn causes you to squint. Programs, like f.lux, can be adjusted to automatically control your computer’s settings to adapt to time of day, the type of lights in your office, or adjusted to your preference.
• Don’t underestimate the power of changing the style or size of your font. Difficult-to-read text not only causes you to wrinkle your upper face, it can also impact how you hold yourself in your chair. This is particularly important for the smaller screens on phones at tablets.
• Follow the 30/30/30 rule if you’re at a computer all day. Your eyes will get progressively more tired and strained throughout the day, so be sure to take a 30 second break every 30 minutes while looking 30 feet away from your screen.
• If you still find yourself squinting or straining, book an appointment with your eye doctor. You may find that glasses or contacts make a world of difference.

These are all great suggestions when it comes to helping eye strain, but if you’re already seeing lines on your face from squinting or deep concentration, consider trying BOTOX. It relaxes the muscles responsible for those creases and gives a smoother look within a few days. There’s often a bonus benefit too: taming frown lines will help you to avoid looking angry when you really aren’t, which can help you have more positive interactions with coworkers.

Keep stress in check

From work deadlines to personal life drama, life can be hectic. Stress affects most Americans, and it shows. Gray hair, wrinkles from frowning, and even weight gain can all be side effects of too much work and not enough play—in addition to a multitude of other health issues. Being overwhelmed is one of the major things that makes you look older, but there are things you can start doing now to manage it.

Ways to fight back

• Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep every night. Lack of sleep can exacerbate stress and anxiety, making it more difficult to keep emotions in check.
• Create a space just for you, especially if you’re a parent. Between work and home, it’s too easy to get wrapped up in taking care of others and leaving your own needs on the back burner. Whether it’s your favorite coffee shop, master bathroom, or reading nook, find a space that makes you feel calm and is free from the interruption of others.
• Make sure you have plenty of healthy outlets. Meditation, yoga, and exercise are excellent for reducing stress.
• Speak to a professional if you are struggling to manage your stress on your own. There’s no shame in getting a little extra help when things feel out of hand.

Check out the rest of the article to see what other habits may be aging you.

Our input: Make sure you’re taking time for you

Work takes up a huge portion of our lives, so it’s important to prioritize self-care at work, home, and beyond so you can enjoy a happy, healthy, and confident life. Do your best to adjust your habits with the suggestions above—but if you’re already noticing the toll of stress on your skin, there are plenty of ways to revive it.

Dr. Schlesinger and his talented team offer a variety of Honolulu anti-aging treatments that can improve your look right away, without downtime. Contact us today to learn how we can help you look as young as you feel!