5 signs you aging slowly and preserving your youth

You make time to learn new things

Geriatrician Parul Goyal explained that as we age, our ability to absorb new information decreases — but only if we stop seeking learning opportunities.
When you learn something new, your brain forms new neural connections or rebuilds existing ones. This process is called neuroplasticity. The more you train your brain, the better its functions are preserved over time.

Learning new things improves memory, attention, logical thinking, and other cognitive abilities. It's especially important for preventing neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

Intellectual activity also reduces stress, which is one of the key factors in both brain and body aging. For example, getting into a new hobby or learning a language can reduce anxiety.

That’s why the expert encourages her patients to keep learning — whether it’s a new game, exercise, language, or musical instrument.

"That will help form new pathways in the brain so that they can continue to stay cognitively strong," she said.

You speak honestly about your needs

When a person openly expresses their emotions and needs, they avoid bottling up negativity, which reduces chronic stress, a major cause of cardiovascular and psychosomatic diseases.

Open communication also helps build deeper, more supportive relationships with others. Social connections are a proven factor in longevity.

Furthermore, being aware of and expressing your needs helps build healthy self-esteem, which is linked to better mental and physical health.

People who don’t express their needs often fall victim to burnout or mistreatment. Setting boundaries in time can prevent exhaustion.

You are not lonely

To counter feelings of loneliness and isolation, it’s important to strengthen your social connections — whether with friends, family, a group, or a community.

Social isolation is often linked with chronic stress, which raises cortisol levels — the "stress hormone." Constantly high cortisol accelerates cellular aging, weakens the immune system, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Interacting with others stimulates the brain, helping preserve memory, attention, and thinking. People with active social lives have a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Your physical health is a top priority

Eating nutritious food and staying physically active are important at all stages of life to remain healthy and active.

Regular exercise and healthy eating reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

Many people fear physical activity as they age because of the risk of falling, but exercising — whether walking or attending classes — can strengthen health.

Weight lifting, Pilates, or yoga can be part of a good routine for building muscle. In addition, cardio exercises like walking, cycling, swimming, and running are essential for heart health.

You do what you love

Doing what you enjoy reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone), supporting cardiovascular health, normalizing blood pressure, and improving sleep.

Hobbies — especially creative or intellectual ones (music, drawing, reading, chess) — stimulate the brain’s neuroplasticity, which helps maintain clear thinking, memory, and reduce dementia risk.

Chronological age doesn’t matter as much — what’s important is how you feel.

You may be interested in:

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• The age at which aging begins has been revealed

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.