Everyday ageism is a form of microaggression. Those seemingly innocuous everyday slights are highly prevalent in society, and those exposed to them are more likely to develop chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression.

Messages from birthday cards that poke fun of being “over the hill,” innocent comments telling someone, “you look good for your age,” and endless advertisements telling us that we need to get rid of the wrinkles all have a negative cumulative effect. Here’s how to combat it. Read: Don’t Joke About Old Age (It’s Bad for Your Health).