There’s no escaping aging, but you can put it off for as long as possible.

Here are some lifestyle choices that are scientifically proven to be making you age quicker than you should be.

Drinking Too Much Alcohol

This has been shown to accelerate biological aging by damaging DNA. People who drink over 17 units of alcohol per week have shortened telomeres, a sign of more advanced biological aging.

The Sun

Various studies have shown that too much sunlight can age the skin. A 2013 study found that UV exposure accounted for 80 per cent of visible facial aging signs.

Smoking

It’s thought smoking affects the production of collagen, the protein which gives skin its elasticity. As we age, our bodies produce less collagen, and it is believed that smoking can speed up this process.

Sitting Down A Lot

We lose around one per cent of our muscle mass every year from around the age of 35. Engaging in some kind of regular exercise that you enjoy can help keep your legs and muscles strong.