GBP
  • GBP
  • USD
  • EUR
  • AUD
  • CAD
  • NZD
  • CHF
basket

Category:

Lifestyle

7 Habits That Age You Faster (And How to Avoid Them)

Georgina Glenn , Registered Nurse January 15th 2026

7 Habits That Age You Faster (And How to Avoid Them)

Did you know that how old you feel is actually far more influenced by your daily habits rather than your genetics? Low energy, brain fog, poor recovery, stubborn weight gain and joint stiffness are all signs of accelerated ageing – all of which are usually driven by lifestyle.

The good news is that habits are largely within your control. What’s more, small and meaningful changes can have a dramatic effect on biological ageing while protecting your cells and restoring youthful energy. Even better, it doesn’t require extreme diets or invasive procedures.

Here, we explore the most common premature ageing habits, explain what’s really happening at a cellular level and show how modern longevity tools and supplements like NAD+ can support and future-proof your health.

What Does Ageing Fast Really Mean?

Your chronological age simply means how many years you’ve been alive. Your biological age reflects how well your cells, organs and systems are functioning. When biological ageing speeds up, you might notice:

  • – Fatigue that doesn’t resolve with rest
  • – Brain fog and memory lapses
  • – Slower metabolism
  • – Weaker immunity
  • – Reduced muscle tone
  • – Longer recovery after stress or exercise

This is what we call cellular ageing. One of the biggest reasons for it is the decline of NAD+ – a molecule found in every cell that is essential for energy production, DNA repair and mitochondrial function. NAD+ and ageing are deeply linked. As NAD+ drops, your cells lose their ability to repair and regenerate effectively. And, unfortunately, many modern lifestyle habits quietly speed up this decline.

Habits That Age You Faster
Habits That Age You Faster

7 Habits That Age You Faster (And How to Slow Ageing Naturally)

Most people don’t realise how strongly everyday behaviours influence how they’re feeling as well as their long-term vitality. Here are some of the most damaging lifestyle habits that cause ageing – and how you can reverse them.

Chronic Sleep Deprivation

Sleep is essential for your body, mainly because it allows your body to repair itself. Without it, hormone balance, immune function and cognitive performance start to deteriorate.

Lack of sleep also depletes NAD+ levels, reducing your body’s ability to regenerate cells and maintain mitochondrial health.

If you’re experiencing brain fog, poor recovery, weight gain, dull skin or fluctuating moods, you could be ageing faster. But there is a fix:

  • – Aim for consistent sleep and wake times
  • – Avoid screens one hour before bed
  • – Keep bedrooms cool and dark
  • – Magnesium glycinate can support deeper sleep

Poor Diet

The NHS highlights strong links between processed foods, inflammation and long-term disease risk. High sugar intake causes glycation, which is where sugar binds to proteins and damages collagen, blood vessels and mitochondria. This speeds up inflammation and oxidative stress, which are two major contributors to cellular ageing! Ultra-processed foods also impair mitochondrial energy production.

To combat this:

  • – Choose whole foods over packaged meals
  • – Replace refined carbs with vegetables, berries and protein
  • – Use olive oil, nuts and seeds instead of processed fats

Chronic Stress

Research shows that chronic stress elevates cortisol, which suppresses the body’s immune function, damages mitochondrial function and speeds up telomere shortening – a marker of biological ageing. Stress also drains NAD+ levels faster than almost any other factor.

There is a solution, though:

  • – Breathwork daily
  • – Walking outdoors
  • – Reducing caffeine reliance
  • – Structured downtime without screens

Sedentary Lifestyle

Lack of movement reduces mitochondrial density and insulin sensitivity. Both of these accelerate muscle loss and metabolic ageing. Daily movement stimulates NAD+ production and mitochondrial biogenesis, which makes it one of the most powerful longevity habits you can do.

Try to achieve:

  • – 7 to 10k steps per day
  • – Strength training 2 to 3× weekly
  • – Stretching for joint mobility

Excessive Alcohol

Alcohol is a potent depletor of NAD+ levels. It creates oxidative stress, disrupts sleep and damages liver detox pathways. Even moderate overuse can significantly impact cellular ageing.

This is why it’s important to have alcohol-free days every week and ensure you are hydrating before and after drinking. You should also try to choose lower-sugar options to further improve your physical health.

Poor Nutrient Intake

Nutrient deficiencies quietly speed up ageing by impairing mitochondrial enzymes and DNA repair. B-vitamins are particularly critical because they are directly involved in NAD+ production. Magnesium, Zinc and Vitamin D are also important, and without them you may experience fatigue, cognitive decline and weakened immunity.
Ignoring cellular health

Expensive skincare, supplements and workouts won’t fully protect you if your cellular energy systems are already declining. This is because ageing begins inside your mitochondria and NAD+ is the molecule that powers cellular repair, detoxification and regeneration.

Put simply, without supporting NAD+, the other surface-level fixes and good habits just can’t keep up.

nad deficiency symptoms
What Foods Are High in NAD+

How to Slow Ageing by Supporting NAD+ Levels

NAD+ fuels:

  • – DNA repair
  • – Mitochondrial energy production
  • – Brain and nerve health
  • – Anti-inflammatory pathways
  • – Healthy gene expression

But we know that NAD+ levels naturally decline by up to 50% by age 50. There are ways you can support NAD+ levels, though, with:

  • – Optimised sleep
  • – Clean nutrition
  • – Daily movement
  • – Stress regulation
  • – Targeted support

That’s not to say that NAD+ supplements are a magic solution. Instead, they should be used alongside healthy daily habits and good intentions to complement your anti-ageing approach. With consistent actions and a proactive mindset, you will likely see good results and begin to feel better on a cellular level.

How NAD+ AT HOME Supports Longevity From the Inside Out

At NAD+ AT HOME, we offer pharma-grade NAD+ products designed to restore declining cellular energy systems. Unlike short-term fixes, our NAD+ range works at the cellular level, complementing healthy anti-ageing lifestyle habits and supporting deep biological repair.

You might not be able to stop time. But you can slow down how fast your body ages. Longevity isn’t about perfection. It’s about small and sustainable choices that protect your future self, and NAD+ At Home is here to support you every step of the way. For more information, browse our full NAD+ range.

Basket