Most people associate wrinkles, forgetfulness and a grumpy attitude with aging. However, these changes aren’t always par for the course and there are others that you can definitely expect to experience as you get older. Truthfully, while some aspects of aging are negative, many aren’t. A lot of elderly people find themselves happier and more liberal than they used to be. Here are some of the changes your body and mind will go through as it ages.

Aging Stem Cells

As you age, your cells deteriorate. Stem cells feel the wear and tear of normal aging, their regenerative ability decreasing with time. Aside from aging, genetics have a lot to do with this deteriorating, specifically the genes responsible for inflammation and stress. This is a natural process that the body goes through. Using herbs and essential oils can help mitigate some unwanted symptoms of this process.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Today, medical and scientific advancements are to thank for learning so much about the aging process, including how to delay it. Often, people who want to slow down the aging process turn to hormone replacement therapy. Specialists realize that using the most appropriate strength and dosage of hormones for each person’s needs is important. Scientific studies on natural hormones are difficult, because they are usually funded by drug companies. Natural products cannot be patented. Easily obtainable hormones, including testosterone, melatonin, progesterone and DHEA, are being used as therapies to slow the process of aging, halt the diseases that often come with age, and help people stay energetic and fit during the second part of their life.

Sleep Cycle Changes

The older you get, the less sleep you’ll need. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to shave hours off your sleep duration. Instead, you may notice that you sleep for about 30 minutes less than you used to. This may sound like a positive – after all, you’ll get more daytime to do what you like with – but it can be negative. According to LiveScience.com, over 50% of people over the age of 65 say that they have a sleep problem, often including insomnia. Using valerian root can help with insomnia –and it isn’t; habit forming. This is a more natural way to go about treating these symptoms. Other things like lavender oil and exercise can also help with sleep.

Epidermal Change

Sagging skin is one of the biggest signs of aging, often happening after you hit 50 years old. When you age, the outer layer of your skin thins and becomes less elastic, which results in sagging skin, not to mention wrinkles and lines. Using lavender oil and tea tree oil on skin can also help it appear brighter and more youthful.

There are many things that affect people as they age, but just because a majority of aging people experience something, that doesn’t mean you will. Habits, health and genes also determine which features of aging you’ll experience and which you won’t. It’s important to keep natural solutions in mind when approaching the health changes that come with aging. Knowing what’s possible, though, will help you prepare for what could possibly be coming down the road.