By Shalin Balasuriya, wellness expert and co-founder of Spa Ceylon.
Ageing is a natural process, one we cannot stop, but one we can most certainly influence. In Ayurveda, we view ageing as “well-ageing,” not something to resist but to embrace with wisdom and care. The way we live daily, how we nourish our bodies, rest our minds, and care for our skin, shapes not only our longevity but the quality of our years.
Below, I share the most impactful lifestyle habits that truly influence how we age, with practical tips you can start incorporating right away.
1. Prioritise Restorative Sleep
Quality sleep is one of the most powerful anti-ageing tools available. During deep sleep, our body regenerates, repairs tissues, and balances hormones. Inadequate sleep accelerates inflammation, increases cortisol levels, and shows up visibly in our skin through fine lines, dullness, and dark circles.
How to do it:
- Establish a consistent bedtime, ideally before 11pm.
- Create a calming pre-sleep ritual: dim the lights, switch off devices an hour before bed, and use natural aids such as lavender or ylang-ylang essential oils.
- Practice breathwork or gentle stretching before bed to prepare the body for rest.
2. Protect and Nourish Your Skin Daily
Our skin is the first line of defence against external aggressors like UV rays and pollution, making daily care essential for healthy ageing. Ayurveda emphasises hydration, nourishment, and protection as key to maintaining elasticity and vibrancy.
How to do it:
- Apply sunscreen every morning, even on cloudy days.
- Use antioxidant-rich skincare with ingredients like turmeric, bakuchiol, or saffron to protect and restore skin vitality.
- Don’t neglect your hands and eyes, two of the first areas to show signs of ageing. Incorporate under-eye treatments and nourishing hand creams into your routine.
3. Manage Stress with Mindfulness
Chronic stress accelerates the ageing process by increasing oxidative stress in the body. It impacts not only mental wellbeing but also skin health, digestion, and sleep quality. Mindfulness and stress management are therefore not luxuries, but essentials.
How to do it:
- Dedicate 5–10 minutes each morning to meditation or gratitude journaling.
- Incorporate short breathwork sessions during the day; even a few rounds of alternate nostril breathing can help calm the nervous system.
- Build small rituals into your day, such as a mindful tea break or a walk in nature.
4. Eat and Drink for Longevity
The foods we consume directly affect how our body ages. Diets rich in antioxidants, good fats, and hydrating foods support skin health, energy, and immunity. Ayurveda also highlights the importance of eating in tune with your constitution and the seasons.
How to do it:
- Stay hydrated with water and herbal teas infused with calming and detoxifying herbs like Gotu kola, ginger, or cinnamon.
- Include vitamin-rich fruits, leafy greens, omega-3s, and antioxidant-packed spices such as turmeric in your meals.
- Avoid excessive processed sugar and alcohol, which accelerate inflammation and cellular damage.
5. Move with Purpose
Movement keeps circulation flowing, strengthens muscles and bones, and uplifts the mood, all vital for graceful ageing. However, not all movement needs to be high-intensity. Ayurveda recommends balance: energising practices balanced with restorative ones.
How to do it:
- Incorporate at least 30 minutes of activity daily, walking, yoga, or swimming.
- Add strength training or resistance exercises a few times a week to maintain muscle tone and bone density.
- Balance physical exercise with restorative practices like yoga or gentle stretching.
6. Embrace “Well-Ageing” as a Mindset
Perhaps most importantly, ageing well requires a mindset shift. Instead of resisting the process, embrace it as an opportunity to cultivate deeper wellbeing, wisdom, and radiance. Daily rituals—whether applying nourishing skincare, practicing breathwork, or taking mindful pauses—allow us to honour ourselves and enhance vitality at every stage of life.
The habits we choose each day shape not only how long we live, but how well we live. By aligning with practices that support balance, restful sleep, mindful living, nourishing food, and intentional self-care, we can age gracefully with vitality and confidence.
At Spa Ceylon, we embrace this philosophy of “well-ageing,” combining Ayurveda’s time-honoured wisdom with modern self-care rituals to support a life that is not only longer, but more radiant and fulfilling.
About the expert
Shalin Balasuriya, the visionary co-founder of Spa Ceylon, stands as a pivotal figure in the transformation of Ayurveda into the world’s largest Luxury Ayurveda brand, boasting a remarkable presence across 30 countries with over 140 locations. With a rich history spanning over 5000 years, Ayurveda is currently capturing global attention for its profound benefits in wellness, skin, hair, and body care. Shalin, equipped with extensive experience, can uniquely articulate Ayurveda’s impact as a brand builder, product manufacturer, spa operator, and retailer. His global wellness experiences seamlessly blend Ayurveda, mindfulness, and nature, offering a holistic perspective on well-being. Find out more at spaceylon.co.uk
