(Natural News) Aging is a natural and inevitable process that changes the body at the cellular level. It is an integral part of all living organisms’ cycle of life, including that of humans.

But several environmental and lifestyle factors may trigger this process too early, hence the term “premature aging.” This event negatively impacts a person’s quality of life and brings with it various health problems.

In order to avoid premature aging, it’s important to recognize the signs as soon as possible. That way, you’ll have a chance to “reverse” the process and prevent the onset of associated complications.

Here are seven telltale signs of aging, including tips on how to improve them:

Dry, dull or irritated skin

The appearance of the skin reflects the state of an individual’s overall health. For instance, dry, dull or irritated skin could be a sign that the body is suffering from the adverse effects of chronic stress, lack of sleep, a bad diet and too much sun exposure.

The skin naturally dehydrates and stops exfoliating, or shedding dead skin cells, as it ages. Living an unhealthy lifestyle can make your skin appear older than it should.

To minimize visible signs of aging and improve your skin, switch to a healthy diet and supplement with phytoceramides. Phytoceramides are plant-based lipids that mimic ceramides, the lipid molecules that help form the skin’s barrier. Ceramides help the skin retain moisture and protect it from pollutants.

Abdominal fat

Metabolism slows down as you age. This makes it easier to put on or retain weight and harder to lose excess weight or keep it off. While having a slow metabolism is no cause for concern, having excess abdominal fat can lead to serious consequences.

Recent studies have found that as people age, their fat distribution shifts so that fat accumulates around the abdomen. This is a major concern for older adults because it linked to a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

To reduce abdominal fat, exercise regularly and consider intermittent fasting.

Constant fatigue and brain fog

Chronic exhaustion is the result of poor sleep hygiene. Staying up late cuts your body’s time to make repairs, reenergize cells, clear waste from the brain and regulate blood sugar short.

According to Robert Rountree, a family medicine specialist based in Boulder, Colorado, blood sugar regulation is at the heart of the aging process. Many of the processes that occur during sleep are also key to restoring cells and preventing the onset of premature aging.

To avoid chronic exhaustion, aim to get at least seven to nine hours of sleep every night. Waking up at the same time every day will also help you to sleep faster and more soundly at night.

Red and irritated eyes

Lack of sleep and chronic inflammation may result in red, irritated eyes. The eyes, particularly the delicate skin around them, are also especially prone to signs of aging, such as dark circles and fine lines.

To support eye health, eat plenty of anti-inflammatory foods, such as nuts, seeds, blueberries, garlic, ginger and turmeric.

Sitting too often

A study by researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that a sedentary lifestyle causes cells to age by as much as eight biological years.

Published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, it showed that a sedentary lifestyle causes telomeres, the parts of chromosomes that control the aging process, to shorten and unravel. In turn, this accelerates the aging process. Shortened telomeres have been linked to heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.

To avoid the health issues linked to a sedentary lifestyle, be more active throughout the day. Take the stairs, go for a walk or do short exercises in intervals.