When it comes to aging, people have many preconceived notions that may or may not be true. Many of us are familiar with the stereotype of the elderly person who has issues with vision and hearing. The reality is that many people age quite well and continue to lead lives that are exciting and vibrant. Here are a few tips to keep in mind so you can be one of those who are living the good life.

Stay younger longer by staying as happy as possible. Stress is a direct factor in damage that is done to your body. By avoiding stress and doing things you love you will stay younger longer. Try taking up meditation and get out of the house and have fun.

Whiten your teeth to take some serious years off of your age. Years of drinking coffee and wine and smoking can do a serious number of the appearance of our teeth. Shave off some years by having your teeth professionally whitened. The difference it makes will astound you.

Go nuts with nuts! Nuts are one of the worlds most perfect foods. They are filled with important vitamins, minerals and fats that help our bodies stay in the best shape they can be. They are a great snack food as they really help us fill up without having to eat a lot of them. Be careful with them though as they are high in calories.

Resveratrol is very effective at fighting aging. Eating foods that contain Resveratrol will help you stay younger. Found in red wine, resveratrol mimics those benefits. It is also prevalent in Japanese knotwood, which is sometimes the ingredient in Resveratrol supplements. Yet another source of resveratrol is in a South American bush called senna quinquangulata.

Laugh often and live long. Laughter is very good for you. It keeps your spirits high and keeps the blood flowing. It will increase positive hormones in your body that will help to eliminate some of the toxins in your blood stream. Laugh until you have to gasp for breath.

Always try to learn new things. Don't allow your hard earned intelligence to fade away. Whether you take a course on computers or do one of those tricky newspaper puzzles, your mind will constantly be at work and gaining knowledge.

Eat more nuts throughout the day. Nuts are a great food to help prevent aging. They have many healthy vitamins, minerals and fats, which will help balance your daily nutrition. Plus, they are an excellent way to stop your processed food cravings between meals, leading you to a much healthier lifestyle!

Oral health is essential to a long life. Even if you do not have teeth anymore, it is still important to go and have regular exams at the dentist so he can check your gums. You can still develop gum disease, oral cancer and other things that can lead to other health problems.

Don't be out in an environment that is too extreme. Staying out in the blazing sun or freezing cold for 12 hours at a time can cause skin damage. Damage can range anywhere from minor burns and chapping to skin cancer.

Make sure you're getting enough sleep at night. The time you spend asleep is when your body relaxes and handles any problems that it needs to fix. You should be getting around seven to nine hours of sleep each night. This will leave you feeling rested and give your body a chance to recuperate from the previous day.

Smoothies are a great and delicious way to get more nutrients as we age! You can combine literally anything to create a tasty treat that delivers valuable vitamins and minerals to your system. Add fruits, vegetables, flax seeds and yogurt or ice-cream to mix a potent potion you can enjoy any time of the day!

One of the easiest ways to get more out of life and enjoy life more is to turn off the television. How much time is wasted sitting in front of a television and not living life? It is the same as shorting your life by sitting in front of the idiot box not out enjoying life.

The skin naturally looses its elasticity as people age. Sometimes aging people notice baggy knees as a part of this process. Baggy knees can be combated with simple shallow squats to help strengthen the quadriceps. Do not overdo it and begin slowly with two sets. As you become more skilled, add another set. Do the squats daily.

One simple tip to take care of your eyes as they age is to apply a compress for five minutes, made of a washcloth wrung out in hot water. The compress will clear your eyes of "sleep" and other bacterial material that can contribute to eye infections and diseases as you age.

Exercise regularly. Exercise slows down the process of aging. It keeps muscle healthy and strong as well as allows you to maintain stamina. It also prevents the loss of balance and bone density as you get older. Try to keep impact to a minimum and create an aerobic and strength based routine.

Bone loss is a huge aging-related issue, especially for women (but for men too). If you don't get enough calcium in your diet, your body will take what it needs from your bones, leaving you with brittle, fragile bones that are very prone to breakage. To prevent this, be sure to include a variety of calcium sources in your diet such as dairy, dark green leafy vegetables, and calcium supplements.

You can enjoy life even more than when you were young. The following tips will help you maximize your health and enjoy the remainder of your life.