Yes, recent studies show that prolonged exposure to extreme heat can significantly speed up your biological aging, making your cells and tissues function as if they are older than your chronological age, similar to the effects of smoking or heavy drinking, by stressing the body at a molecular level. This "biological aging" is linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases and disability, with some research indicating that people in hotter regions can be biologically up to 14 months older than those in cooler areas.
The study found that the more extreme-heat events that people experienced, the faster they aged — for every extra 1.3 °C a participant was exposed to, around 0.023–0.031 years, on average, was added to their biological clock.
Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
A 2023 study of more than 2,000 people in Germany found medium- and long-term exposure to heat was linked to accelerated biological aging. The impacts were particularly pronounced in women, who can be more vulnerable to heat as they tend to sweat less, meaning it's harder for them to cool down.
Colder climates are associated with longer life expectancy in many high-income settings, but that correlation largely reflects socioeconomic, healthcare, behavioral, and environmental differences rather than temperature itself.
Is it healthier to live in a cold climate? Yes! Exposure to cold temperatures can strengthen the immune system, increasing the body's ability to fight infections and diseases.
1. VO2 Max: Your Cardiovascular Fitness Level. VO2 max measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise and is one of the strongest indicators of longevity. A higher VO2 max is associated with better heart health, improved endurance, and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Heat can age you as much as smoking, a new study finds
A new study published in Science Advances shows that prolonged heat exposure of that magnitude can even modify how people's genes behave, speeding up aging at the molecular level and potentially impacting people's long-term health.
Not Using a Moisturizer
Dryness could be one of the main things that are aging your skin. Apply moisturizer daily so water is trapped in the skin. This will lead to a healthier and more youthful appearance.
Warmer climates can sometimes promote faster hair growth due to increased circulation and overall metabolic rate. However, extreme climates (too hot or too cold) can stress the hair and scalp, potentially slowing down growth.
We undergo two periods of rapid change, averaging around age 44 and age 60, according to a Stanford Medicine study.
Low Protein Intake
Inadequate protein intake can lead to sagging skin, weakened muscles, and slower wound healing, contributing to a prematurely aged appearance.
8 Ways to Maintain a Youthful Appearance
You Maintain Physical Strength and Mobility
“Being able to move around easily, whether it's taking daily walks, climbing stairs, or carrying groceries, is a classic sign of healthy aging,” Dr. Badessa says. “Good strength, balance, and endurance mean you can stay independent and continue doing the activities you love.”
A new USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology study suggests greater exposure to extreme heat may accelerate biological aging in older adults, raising new concerns about how climate change and heat waves could affect long-term health and aging at the molecular level.
Aging has less to do with age and more to do with sun exposure. An estimated 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun. The powerful aging effects of UV exposure means that you have a powerful ability to stop aging in its tracks. Better skin can be as simple as changing your sun habits.
Eating fiber rich vegetables first, followed by protein, and then finished with a carbohydrate is said to be the ideal way to eat to slow aging. Basically, by following this method, your blood sugar will not suddenly spike.
Environmental factors and lifestyle choices can often accelerate the ageing process. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, excessive sun exposure, poor sleep and exposure to air pollution will all have an impact on your skin quality and how quickly your skin ages.
“When you use moisturizer every day, you run the risk of making your skin older, not younger,” he said to Refinery29. “If you apply a lot of moisture, skin will become sensitive, dry, dull, and interfere with natural hydration.”
Certain lifestyle habits can negatively affect your physical and mental health, shortening your potential lifespan.
Research suggests lower temperatures can help the body burn more calories by activating brown fat and may support slower aging by improving metabolic and hormonal balance during sleep. Cooler environments are also linked to deeper, more restorative sleep cycles.
Cold temperature extends longevity and prevents disease-related protein aggregation through PA28γ-induced proteasomes. Nature Aging.
Differences in Adult Lifespan by Month of Birth. We find a similar relationship between month of birth and lifespan in both of our Northern Hemisphere countries. Adults born in autumn (October–December) live longer than those born in spring (April–June).
A peanut butter and jelly sandwich (PB&J) adds about 33 minutes to your healthy lifespan per serving, according to a University of Michigan study that measured life expectancy impacts of over 5,850 foods using the Health Nutritional Index (HNI). This sandwich tops the list for adding time, with nuts and seeds also being highly beneficial (around 25 mins) and processed items like hot dogs subtracting time.
7 Signs You're Aging Well, According To Geriatricians