Archive for Aging
Both men and women are frantically searching for the elusive “Fountain of Youth.” Unfortunately, in an effort to look young, many are opting for medical treatments instead of seeking more healthy alternatives.
There are some things you can do to look younger besides Botox injections or painful surgeries like liposuction and facelifts.
Listed here are seven healthy things that you can do right now to look younger:
- Sleep Your Way to Youth – Your best sleep happens during what is called the “rejuvenation hours.” Your face won’t reveal as many lines and your eyes won’t be as puffy. If you’re in a habit of waking up at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning, try meditation or take the natural herb, melatonin before turning in for the night.
- Exercise Regularly – Nothing benefits your overall health like having an exercise regime that you enjoy and perform on a regular basis. No matter what exercise you choose, getting your body moving can drop the years from your body and mind.
- Your Diet Can Make You Younger – Obesity can become a problem as you grow older because of a slower metabolism. Keep your weight on track, make your skin glow and your blood healthy by eating foods with beneficial properties.
- Dress Your Age – Almost nothing makes you look older than you are than attempting to dress in the same style of clothing that your daughter or granddaughter wears. Dress your age and appear younger than you are.
- Use Makeup Sparingly – You’ll appear to be much younger than you really are if you use makeup more to enhance your natural assets rather than attempting to cover up the flaws. Get a professional makeup artist to show you how to apply your makeup in the best and most flattering way.
- Choose the Proper Hairstyle – Are you still wearing the same style you had in the 70s – or is your hair dull or gray? Do yourself a favor and visit a professional hairstylist and let him or her design a style that fits your face and color.
- Break Those Bad Habits – If you smoke or drink too much alcohol, cut down or quit if possible. Too much alcohol will dry out your skin and smoking will rapidly age your entire body.
In your quest to look and feel younger, don’t forget your “attitude.” (See Positive Mental Attitude – the Key to Defying Aging). Do what you can to keep yourself upbeat and positive – and for goodness sake, don’t forget to smile!
Is it all in the genes – or can we do anything to prevent the deep lines and dry skin from aging us prematurely? In our youth we felt our baby-soft skin was invincible, and we spent hours basking in the sun and tanning our bodies to a golden brown hue.
Now, some of us – over 40 – are paying dearly with skin that’s turning to leather before our very eyes. What can be done, if anything, to get back some of that youthful glow and elasticity?
You need to know that there are two types of aging that affects our skin – intrinsic (genetic) and extrinsic (external reasons, such as exposure to the sun’s rays). While some deterioration of the skin goes along with the aging process, there are ways we can lessen its effects. These include:
- Minimizing repetitive facial expressions – Frowning, smiling or raising your brows repeatedly can cause those deep furrows around your eyes and mouth and across your forehead.
- Sleeping positions – Do you sleep with your face pressed into the pillow or with the side of your face resting on the pillow? If you do, chances are you’ll eventually discover “sleep lines” across your chin and cheeks. Try to sleep on your back to minimize this type of wrinkle.
- Wear sunscreen – Sunscreen should be worn daily and become part of your overall skin protection regime. Be sure you choose a broad spectrum (UVA and UVB) protector and at least 15 or higher SPF.
- If you smoke – quit – Smoking can cause unsightly lines and wrinkles, not to mention a yellowish, leathery texture to your skin. When you quit smoking the lines and unhealthy coloring and texture will immediately begin to disappear.
While you can’t really do anything about the intrinsic (genetic) factors that contribute to aging skin, you can opt for a medical treatment such as dermabrasion, chemical peeling, botulinum or injectable fillers.
Newer treatments such as radiofrequency are taking the place of more invasive procedures like a complete facelift.
See a licensed dermatologist if you suffer anxiety over aging skin or just want to look and feel younger. There are newer and better treatment options becoming available all the time, and your dermatologist should be able to suggest a treatment for you and your type of skin.
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Studies have shown that nothing works better than a regular exercise program to slow down the aging process. The operative word here is “regular” – unless your exercise program is consistent, you won’t derive the maximum anti-aging benefits.
The regular aging process diminishes the hormonal levels and our skin, muscles and bones begin to deteriorate. A good anti-aging exercise program helps to stimulate hormone production and promote strength and flexibility.
Not all exercises are appropriate as we age. There are certain types of exercises that will help you stay active, live a longer and happier life and stay mentally alert without causing aches and pains. How often and how strenuous you make your exercise program depends on your personal needs, both physical and your daily lifestyle.
Best types of exercises to maximize anti-aging benefits
A good anti-aging program should include these three types of exercises:
- Cardiovascular – Designed to keep your heart healthy, aerobic exercises also help fight depression and keep your weight down. Running, brisk walking and any other exercise that will increase your heart rate for a sustained period of time triggers your brain to release chemicals that produce hormones.
- Flexibility – This by far the most important type of exercises to beat the aging process. It increases blood circulation and releases serotonin, which is a chemical produced by the brain and is necessary for overall health and well-being. Flexibility exercises are also safe and easy to perform.
- Strength Building – These exercises will help build sturdiness and sustain bone mass. Your chances of having a debilitating injury are lessened as you build your muscle strength. Exercises to improve the muscles in your shoulders, back and legs will also help with hormone production.
Research has shown that there’s no particular time of the day when exercising is best, however accidents seem to happen more often in early morning hours when muscles and joints seem to be less flexible..
It is best to exercise when you aren’t too tired, but when you’ve been up and about for a while. Mid afternoon seems to be a good time for most people to perform physical exercises with minimal risk of injury.
You don’t need a home gym or an expensive membership in a health club. Walking, cycling or jogging don’t require buying expensive equipment. If you must buy something than buy any one piece of exercise equipment that you feel comfortable using and are sure to use regularly. That is the best anti-aging investment you can make in yourself.
Positive Mental Attitude – the Key to Defying Aging
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I’m sure you’ve heard about positive thinking making a huge difference in some people’s lives. But did you know a positive mental attitude could be the key to defying the aging process? You don’t need to discover a secret fountain of youth, just learning the skills to build and maintain a positive attitude can go long way in increasing and improving your life.
The process of developing an attitude that will help you later in life should be nurtured during the younger years. Learning these skills when you’re young to help cope with adversities and strategies through life will become all important when you reach a time that requires those skills.
Perhaps the most important thing you can do for yourself to increase longevity and live a happier, healthier life is to learn how to develop and keep a positive mental attitude.
We now know how important it is to our mental health to figure out a mission for our lives. Then, as you go through the stages and hurdles of life, you can reassess that mission and reconfigure it for where you currently are on life’s path.
Living a full, rich life should be a goal that you not only strive for, but also work toward by doing everything possible to make sure you are healthy, in both body and mind to withstand the ravages of time.
The Most Important Tools to Keep a Positive Attitude
Scientific research indicates that “retirement” as our ancestors viewed it really isn’t a good thing for us to keep a positive mental attitude about life. Below are some helpful tools for you to live by if living a full, rich life is of concern to you.
- Keep Busy – A rocking chair isn’t the way to achieve “Fountain of Youth” effects during the aging process. We now know that keeping active, both in body and mind is the best way to live a long and productive life.
- Write Your Own Road Map – Baby boomers entering their 60s never expected to age, so they’re now looking for ways to keep their youth – but most are trying to retain their youth with cosmetic surgery, pills or surrounding themselves with youthful “things” such as a bright red sports car.
Writing your own road map for the rest of your life is empowering and can help to build your mental aptitude just as you would build your muscles through exercise.
- Cultivate Healthy Relationships – The relationships you cultivate with family and friends can make the difference in how you view the rest of your life. Taking trips and learning new things are all better done with someone you care about than alone.
Take the necessary steps to develop a positive mental attitude that will help you through the aging process gently and optimistically.
You’ll find aging well and anti-aging books in our bookstore.
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