Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 4: While poor diet and lack of exercise are well-known culprits of premature ageing, several hidden lifestyle and environmental factors may be quietly accelerating the ageing process. From stress and screen time to sugar and social habits, these lesser-known triggers can affect everything from your skin to your internal organs.

Chronic stress is one major factor, raising cortisol levels that break down collagen, weaken immunity, and speed up cellular ageing. Similarly, poor sleep impacts hormone regulation and slows down skin and body repair, often showing up as dull skin and memory lapses.

Long hours in front of screens can expose your skin to blue light, which penetrates deeper than UV rays and leads to early signs of 'digital ageing', including wrinkles and pigmentation.

High sugar intake damages skin elasticity through glycation, while living in polluted environments introduces free radicals that cause inflammation and long-term damage to skin and organs.

Even everyday habits like sipping through straws or constantly puckering your lips can create fine lines around the mouth, much like smoking. Meanwhile, skipping sunscreen indoors exposes your skin to harmful UV rays from windows, contributing to collagen loss and ageing.

Excessive alcohol use dehydrates the body, disrupts liver function, and dulls the skin. Mental health plays a role too—chronic negativity and social isolation are linked to shortened telomeres, the DNA caps that protect against ageing.

Though exercise is crucial, overtraining without proper rest can increase oxidative stress and lead to hormonal imbalances that affect tissue health.

Experts suggest that by identifying and managing these often-ignored factors, one can slow down the clock and promote healthier skin, sharper cognition, and better overall vitality.