Beauty may be skin deep but your age goes deeper still. Television says that creams can help but try a natural approach before picking up any of those other products. Aging gracefully is about more than what you can buy over the counter.

The environment and our own choices affect how our body ages inside and out. Sometimes we can hide these effects when we are younger but age shows it all. Gaining a youthful appearance depends on how we treat our body as a whole.

1. Drink lots of water. The body is composed of 90 percent water. Water gives the body an internal shower each day. It flushes your digestive and urinary systems. With fewer toxins in the body, everything operates more efficiently.

2. Get up and get moving. Exercise works the muscles of the body including the most important muscle, your heart. Lungs utilize oxygen more efficiently when the body is in shape. More of that oxygen gets to the brain to promote focus and overall well being. Even if you are crunched for time, most people can find at least 30 minutes to devote to some sort of physical activity each day. Exercise also releases endorphins to brighten your mood.

3. Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity is an epidemic in this country. Excess weight causes all sorts of conditions like hypertension, stroke, heart attacks, and heart disease. Those conditions are less likely to attack your body when you get rid of excess fat.

4. Get regular medical checkups. Many ailments and cancers can be caught in the early stages with a yearly physical. As you age there are recommendations for getting mammograms, colonoscopies and other preventative tests to keep the body in tiptop shape.

5. Complement your beauty with natural treatments. Everything in the store is not good for your skin. Create your own products using plants, flowers, fruits and herbs. These natural products can do the job without harmful side effects.

6. Avoid tanning salons and harmful rays. If you want to be out in the sun, use a sunscreen that contains natural skin protectors like zinc oxide. Sitting in the sun unprotected can lead to skin cancers down the road. Choose a high SPF for maximum protection.

7. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals in your body that attack the body’s cells and cause us to age ungracefully. Leafy green veggies, orange and yellow veggies, and all types of citrus fruits contain antioxidants that keep you looking young. If you aren’t getting enough in your diet, consider taking antioxidant supplements.

8. Sleep well. Sleep is more important than people realize. The body uses our sleep time to repair itself. Without proper rest, you feel rundown and less able to focus. Your immune system is compromised and you start to catch every bug going around. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

How are you aging? There are several things you can do right now to put you on the road to long life and health. And, you’ll do it all with a youthful appearance.