Our skin doesn't refresh itself as well as we get older, leading to that leathery texture and to discolorations such as age spots. There's a way, however, to prompt the production of new collagen, the building block of new skin cells. That's to use a prescription-strength vitamin-A-derived retinol cream, which stimulates the turnover of skin cells. However, because the new skin cells created by retinol are tender and sun-sensitive, you need to be even more vigilant about protecting your skin from UV damage by wearing moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher every day, rain or shine.


Do yoga
Yoga is particularly effective for anti-aging, says physician Mary Monroe-Rodman of Woodland, California, because many of the postures require balancing, which stimulates the circuitry in the brain. "I recommend yoga to anyone who's concerned about memory, energy, or just healthy aging in general," says Monroe-Rodman. "I take yoga myself, and if I miss a class I feel the difference."


Take fish oil supplements
The omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA in fish oil provide one of the best ways to halt all types of physical and mental decline, experts say, because they prevent aging at the cellular level. In fact, interview doctors about what they do themselves to combat aging and they answer: 3 grams of fish oil a day. Think of omega-3 fatty acids as a way to inoculate your body against stress, says Nicholas Perricone, physician and author of The Perricone Promise (Warner Books, 2004). One recent study found that omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil actually prevent DNA from unraveling -- which means you're stopping the aging process where it starts. And consumer tests show supplements don't contain significant levels of mercury, a danger with fish itself.


Lift weights
The gym may seem like foreign territory as you edge past 50, but it would be a mistake to cede the weight room to the gym rats. Weight training builds lean muscle, one of the best ways to stave off the weight gain that's so common later in life. In fact, studies show that the more lean muscle you have, the easier time you have losing weight -- without cutting calories. Resistance training is also a key way to prevent Osteoporosis. By sending a signal to our bones that we need them to stay strong, resistance training stimulates the re-mineralization of bone tissue.


Get your thyroid checked
If you feel like your body and brain are stuck in low gear all the time, contact your doctor and request a thyroid test. The thyroid regulates the entire metabolic system of the body, so when it's out of whack the result can be weight gain, loss of energy and libido, and depression. The most common test used is the TSH test, but if your results come back normal, you can also request that the T4 test, which some experts consider more sensitive and accurate.


Cut down on drinking
There's a reason heavy drinkers look -- and act -- so much older than they are: Alcohol is classified as a neurotoxin, and it has an oxidizing effect on body tissues, which is a science-y way of saying it damages cells. Over time, high alcohol intake causes weight gain and memory loss, increases the risk of diabetes, and leads to flushing, rosacea, and burst capillaries in the skin. It also gives you that puffy look. Men should limit themselves to fewer than two drinks a day, women to one drink or less. And beware of measuring over-generously; one drink is classified as 5 ounces, much less than the typical glass of wine.


Get a full sleep evaluation
If you're experiencing general mental and physical sluggishness and don't know why, it's quite likely you're sleeping poorly and don't know it, sleep experts say. A host of sleep problems, including sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome (UARS), restless leg syndrome, teeth grinding, and other breathing and swallowing problems, can prevent you from entering the deep, regenerative REM phase of sleep. An evaluation by sleep specialists can determine what's causing your sleep to get stuck in the shallow phase. Treatment of the underlying issue can allow you to once again experience the regenerative qualities of deep sleep.