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Everywhere you turn, you’ll see people who look far younger than their real age. While some people believe that it’s all downhill after you hit 40, this couldn’t be farther from the truth! Life really just starts then, as Twitter user Renatanover showed her followers.

The 43-year-old from Moscow was tired of hearing people getting criticized for aging. So she started up a thread and invited people to post photos that prove that they can look fabulous, young, and gorgeous even after 40. Especially when you consider that we’re living longer and longer and have access to better nutrition and ever-improving healthcare. Scroll down and upvote your favorite photos, dear Pandas. Be sure to let us know what you think of them in the comments!

To learn more about staying healthy and feeling young as we age, Bored Panda reached out to the team at Age UK. “Eating a healthy diet, staying active for longer, protecting yourself against illness and staying connected to friends and family are great places to start in ensuring you stay healthy and happy as you get older," said Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s Charity Director. Scroll down for the full interview, dear Pandas!

"Again I read about wrinkles and sagging skin in 40-year-olds. I have long wanted to do it because the thread of life doesn't just end at 40. Show your photos in the replies. I want people to understand what they are talking about. I'll begin. I'm 43."

More info: twitter.com

#1

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"I'm 53. I don't live with anyone, my son has grown up, loved by my side, my heart is alive, and my head is my own. Freedom!"

ypDJZM2RvGcZmFh Report

"Eating a healthy diet means enjoying your food and having plenty of variety so you get all the nutrients you need and maintain a healthy weight and stay well," Abrahams explained the importance of eating well. However, equally as important is staying social.

"Keeping up our ties to friends and family and taking part in social activities is an important tool to helping us stay sharp as we age. Keeping active, in particular, has many benefits besides fighting off illness, such as: lowering the risk of depression and dementia ​or developing heart disease. ​It also reduces the likelihood of having a stroke, and lowers the risk of some cancers," Age UK's Charity Director went into detail about the many pros of moving more.

#2

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"Okay, I'll join the club too... 48 in a month."

mihali5144503 Report

"Moving more can help our thinking skills too—like problem-solving, decision-making and remembering facts and words. It can also lessen aches and pains, help us to stay steady on our feet, improve our sleep, and boost our mood."

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In general, choosing to move more, especially in nature, is better than moving less. Physical activities done in the great outdoors have the most benefits. So walking out in the countryside or choosing to walk instead of driving is better than nothing.

#3

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"That's my mom. The photo was taken a year or two ago. She is 42 at the moment, we were once called sisters."

LieutenantChmo Report

"Making sure that regular exercise stays a key part of our routine is one of the best ways to stay well and therefore stay independent," Abrahams pointed out the importance of getting into the habit of moving.

She stressed that it's never too late to start being more active. That doesn't mean that we all have to aspire to be marathon runners, however! "Being more active isn't about working up a sweat or running marathons. It's simply about moving more each day, in whatever way works, within our own capabilities. Even a small amount of movement can make a big difference to our mental and physical health.” 

You can find some more advice from Age UK about staying healthy as we age right here and here.

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Looking great and always feeling energetic gets harder and harder as we get older. It’s only natural, as our bodies slow down and start wearing and tearing. However, it doesn’t mean that feeling young is impossible when you leave your twenties, thirties, and beyond! With the right mindset and habits, like having a healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise, you can live a high-quality life (and be way more capable than when you were younger).

One of the main things that contribute to faster aging is stress. Now, obviously, stress is unavoidable. However, we can change how we react to stressful situations to make sure that we come out on top.

#5

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"My dear mother who is 54. I am proud of her and dream of looking just as lovely after fifty."

stvrgn_dahlia Report

It might sound cliched, but meditation really does help us relax, focus, and get our priorities straight. Furthermore, it's a wonderful antidote to aging. Even a 10-minute meditation session can help you forget about minor quibbles at work and recenter yourself. But it’s not a one-time fix—meditation is something that you need to get in the habit of doing daily. It’s a lifestyle change. Not a bandaid.

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If you’re planning to live to be over a hundred, you’ll want to start making changes to your lifestyle right now. According to the authors of ‘Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life,’ people tend to live longer by staying busy and slowing down at the same time. It might sound like a contradiction, but it’s not.

It means having an active social life, moving lots, spending tons of time in nature on the one hand, as well as saying ‘goodbye’ to a life full of rushing and much ado about nothing on the other hand. Oh, and one last tip—eat a variety of different foods but avoid overeating. When you feel that you’re four-fifths of the way to being full, it’s time to stop eating and go do something else. Like following your ‘Ikigai,’ your true passion. Or meeting with your loved ones. Preferably, somewhere out in nature!

#7

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"I don't think I look super super. Normal at my 55."

PevtsovaAvpavp Report

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#9

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"In this photo, my mom is 53, and this is how I want to look without fillers at this age."

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#10

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"Me and my grandmother a couple of years ago. She is already over 55, but they still take her for my mom."

Regn0diCaria Report

#11

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"My mother (right) is 53 and this is the original photo without corrections."

Dadairee Report

#13

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"I'm 40 years old, 4 sons. I haven't visited a beautician yet."

marsanna_k Report

#14

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"My mom, 48."

Opiuminy Report

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#17

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"My incredible mom is 39 years old, but still."

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#18

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"Mom is 52 years old. A few years ago, she cut her hair short and stopped dyeing her gray hair. A month ago, my hands returned to the paint anyway, and now, here she is."

madkottek Report

#20

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"My mother is 43 and they always think that we are not a daughter and mother, but sisters."

vkrschn Report

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tristessa avatar
Juniper
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And now one without a filter, with wrinkles and skin texture ;)

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#21

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"Mom turns 57, still pretty."

yanlogans Report

#22

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"My mom, 46 years old, I admire and dream at her age to look as young."

lublublebushek Report

#24

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"My mom doesn't like when I show her pictures without asking, but I can show my aunt, her older sister. She's very fit, so I don't think she'll mind, she's on all the posters herself in these pictures. She's probably 45-46. She's super cool and very pretty!"

Sewerin7 Report

#26

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"Very good thread, all so wonderful! Also decided to join in—my beloved mommy, 45 years old."

StationPanik Report

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#28

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"Didn't clarify, I'm almost 46."

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slaveyay avatar
yslasoli
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With a decent amount of lip fillers, so maybe she's had Botox and/or dermal fillers elsewhere on the face. Not that's it's a bad thing to do, but not to be confused with naturally aging

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#30

People Are Sharing Their Photographs Over The Age Of 40 Showing That Aging Is Not So Scary (84 Pics)

"My mom is still 37, but I couldn't help but share."

youngkenthusia1 Report

Note: this post originally had 83 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.