There's nothing less attractive than someone desperately clinging to the last remnants of their youth. We think it's far sexier to be comfortable in your own skin.

1. 9 Things People Aging Gracefully Do
Differently

2. There's nothing less attractive than someone desperately
clinging to the last remnants of their youth. We think it's far
sexier to be comfortable in your own skin.
Even the biggest post-50 heartthrob George Clooney has
spoken about the importance of embracing each extra candle
on your birthday cake. "I'm a big believer in the idea that you
can't try to look younger. You just have to try to look the best
you can at the age you are," he said in a recent interview. And
he has the salt-and-pepper hair to prove it.
Taking a leaf from Clooney's book, here are some of the little
things that people aging gracefully all have in common.

3. 1. They work out to get strong, not skinny.
Cardio is good but strength training is a must, especially as you age.
As early as in our 30s, we start to lose muscle mass, up to 5 percent
per decade, if we don't work to maintain and build it. In fact,
according to Ken Kim, an internal medicine specialist, after age 45
we lose 1 percent every year. That can add up.
Strength and resistance training to build muscle not only counters
that, it can help you stay strong and independent as you age so you
can keep up with your day-to-day activities.
2. They stress less.
Numerous studies have shown that stress, whether it's from work or
family, can cause aging on a cellular level -- maybe even causing you
to age a decade faster. On the outside, stress can cause sleepless
nights (dark circles), skin dehydration and even hair loss in extreme
cases. So take a moment and breathe. Your golden years are to be
enjoyed.

4. 3. They've let go of regrets and grudges.
You can't move on to the future when you're
stuck looking back at the past. Learn from
your mistakes rather than replaying them in
your head. As the Zen proverb says, "Let go or
be dragged.“
Consider meditating. Try this morning
meditation routine and start your morning
with a cup of coffee and a little mindfulness
to help you live in the moment.
4. They learn something new every day.
Yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Stay curious. Try something
different. All of these things help break you out of your monotonous
routine and can help you get out of a rut. Plus, learning something
new can give you confidence. One study showed that older adults who
took up a new activity for three months showed considerable
improvements in memory compared with those who only engaged in
familiar activities.

5. 5. They don't overdo it with the makeup.
We're all for dressing up and putting on a bit of
makeup. But don't be tempted to overdo it. The
key is to enhance what you've got rather than
piling on layers of foundation to cover up what
you don't like.
Too much makeup will end up looking mask-like
and unnatural, sapping your natural glow and
eventually settling in to and accentuating fine
lines and wrinkles. Here are some of our best
makeup tips for older women.
6. They stay positive.
Complaining about old age won't make you any younger. Instead, choosing
positive thoughts can bring a number of benefits including better coping
skills, a better immune system and even a longer life. Yes, that's right. A study
of nearly 100,000 women over 50 found that optimists had a 14 percent lower
risk of death in the study follow-up and were 30 percent less likely to die from
coronary heart disease than their pessimistic peers. Another study found that
even in people with heart disease, those who stayed positive were 58 percent
more likely to survive an additional five years. Now start seeing that glass as
half full.

6. 7. They get enough sleep.
It may be harder to fall asleep and stay asleep
with age. But aim to make sleep a priority
anyway. Mireille Guiliano, author of "French
Women Don't Get Facelifts," counts sleep as
one of the essentials of aging gracefully.
"Don’t underestimate the power of sleep on
your skin, hair, energy, balance, and mood,"
she tells Parade, adding that eight hours and
no less should be the goal. "Make sure your
bedroom is not a place for work or television
a half hour before you should be asleep, and
that it is well ventilated. At night it must be
dark and quiet. Investing in a good mattress
and pillows also matters. The French average
nine hours of sleep a night -- and that makes
me smile." Oui.

7. 8. They eat and drink to their health.
The idea that you are what you eat is definitely true, especially as you age.
Earlier this year Huff/Post50 spoke with dermatologist Patricia Farris to
learn what changes we need to take with our diets as we age. Farris
stressed the importance of getting vitamins from foods we eat rather
than just supplements. She said it's never too late to beef up your diet
with enriching foods to ward off further aging. Make sure you're eating a
rainbow of foods, rich especially in Vitamins A, C, E, D and K.

8. 9. They embrace their changing looks.
George Clooney has said he won't be dyeing his hair anytime
soon. He even added that going to such measures can
sometimes make you look worse. We're all for ditching the
dye if you're comfortable with it. Instead of covering up your
grays, here's a simple idea. Draw attention to your hairstyle
rather than color with a new cut.
Simple tricks like adding layers, bangs, and volume can
completely transform your look. Besides, there's nothing
more aging than rocking the same hairstyle you had in the
'80s. Here are some recommendations.

9. Article Source: HuffingtonPost.Com
Image Source: MyBotique.Com.AU