Without surgery or medicine- How to LOOK young all the time

How to Look and Feel Younger Than Ever

There is nothing that ages an individual more quickly than illness, pain and stiffness, or chronic stress. Therefore, much of what we do to take care of ourselves on a daily basis will also help us keep a youthful appearance.  Here is a rundown of the many things you can do that won’t cost (or hurt) too much, but will make you feel vibrant and strong.  Let’s be proactive in our approach to aging and grow into our later years gracefully and beautifully!

Protect Your Skin from the Sun

 Nothing ages the skin faster than sun overexposure. Collagen, the structural protein of our skin, breaks down in response to UV radiation.  The sun also increases the production of free radicals, which damage cells and break down collagen as well. Although sunscreen offers some protection, many people apply too little of it—and not nearly frequently enough.

 Aside from being a fashion accessory, sunglasses will protect the health of your eyes and will help prevent the wrinkles that accompany squinting at the sun. Purchase sunglasses that provide 99-100% UV protection for both UVA & UVB rays. And protect your skin from exposure by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, longer sleeves and other sun-shielding apparel.

What You Are What You Eat

 Much has been written about the power of nutrition to ward off illness, boost the immune system and enhance your complexion.  Real food is more beneficial to your body and skin than supplements are, and eating a wide variety of super foods increases your chances of absorbing the most nutrients possible.

 If maintaining healthy skin is your concern, foods containing vitamins A, C, and E, and polyphenols (antioxidants that have anti-inflammatory properties that protect and benefit the skin) should be part of your daily diet.  Here are some examples of deliciously colorful foods that provide these key nutrients:

• Vitamin A: Sweet potatoes, broccoli, leafy greens (such as spinach and kale), red, yellow and orange produce (such as cantaloupe, carrots, bell peppers), and asparagus

• Vitamin C: Red bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, strawberries, pineapple, kiwifruit, oranges, and cantaloupe

• Vitamin E: Nuts and seeds, vegetable oils, tomato products, and spinach.

• Polyphenols: Green tea, cocoa and dark chocolate.

Exercise formula all the time

There are three types of exercise that can keep you looking and feeling young.

• Aerobic exercise increases circulation throughout the body and strengthens the heart and lungs.  It aids in digestion, helps us reduce anxiety and stress, and enhances the quality of our sleep. Weight-bearing aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, hiking or dancing, can even slow bone loss.

  • Strength training has been shown to build bone mass, which helps to prevent and slow down osteoporosis.  Building muscle mass keeps us strong and revs the metabolism, which helps to maintain a healthy body weight and youthful figure.  Strength training keeps us limber and improves balance, preventing debilitating falls and fractures. Ultimately, it keeps you independent and capable of more things even as you get older.

  • Lifestyle activities, such as golf, gardening, bowling, tennis and ballroom dancing involve both physical and mental stimulation, keeping both our bodies and minds young. In general, experts agree that the more you can move--even if it's not as intense as traditional forms of exercise--the better off your body and your mind will be as you age.

Adjust Your Mindset all the time

Research has found that the most serious aging occurs at the cellular level.  Many of our lifestyle habits such as exercise, nutrition, stress management and sleep will enhance the body’s ability to repair the cellular damage that is inevitable as we get older.   Traditional medicine focuses on treating illness to prolong life. But many healthcare professionals want to shift that focus to preventing disease in the first place.  We want to not only add years to our life, but life to our years.  Disease occurs when we fail to keep our bodies and minds active; it is not an unavoidable result of getting older. Arthritis, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease and even dementia often occur because of the accumulation of unhealthy lifestyle habits rather than as a result of years ticking by.

 Much of what you decide to do on a daily basis will not only prolong the length of your life, but the quality of those years as well.

Get your good Sleep everyday

 Experience a night of insomnia or stay up into the wee hours for any reason, and you’ll probably notice signs of sleep deprivation in the mirror the next day.  Bags under the eyes and pallor to your skin can definitely make you look old and tired.  Repeat this night after night, and the chronic sleep deprivation will age your body from the inside out.  Most of us don’t get enough sleep, and that plays a significant role in our appearances.  Individuals who get less than 6 hours of sleep a night may be at an increased risk for viral infections, heart disease, obesity and stroke, with an associated decline in mental functioning to boot.  If your lack of sleep is due to your desire to get more done each day, think about the time you waste due to fatigue interfering with your efficiency.  Adjust your attitude and your habits, and begin working to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

Deep Breathing, Meditation and Yoga

Chronic unmanageable stress wreaks havoc on our bodies and makes us feel old before our time.  It’s been linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and skin inflammation.  Stress has also been shown to suppress our immune system, making us more prone to illness and disease.  Anything you do to manage and alleviate stress will have a positive impact on how you look and feel as you age. Setting aside a few minutes each day to be quiet, center yourself, and let your worries drift away is smart medicine. Make deep breathing exercises or meditation a part of your routine.  Yoga has the added benefit of not only calming the mind, but also keeping the body flexible and strong.

Take Care of Your Smile.

 Most people don't take the time to connect the two, but the health of your mouth can also affect the health of your body.  Individuals with gum disease are more prone to heart disease and lung problems.  For people with diabetes, treatment of gum problems can also help control blood sugar levels. And nothing can make you look older than yellow, stained or missing teeth

Don't Neglect Your Ears

 Our ears contain tiny hairs that vibrate in response to noise. This then excites the auditory nerve, allowing us to hear and interpret sounds.  However, too much vibration due to excess exposure to very loud noises frays those hairs, and could lead to hearing loss over time.

 By all means, enjoy listening to music--but turn down the volume. You should still be able to hear outside noises above the music in your ears.  Wireless headphones have saved my marriage, since my husband loves to stay up way later than I do watching movies.  But if I try to talk to him and he can’t hear me, I know they are too loud.  If you work in an environment that exposes you to constant loud noise, or you love a good rock concert, consider using earplugs or sound-reducing headphones to muffle the sound.  Nothing will make you feel old faster than not hearing the conversation around you!

Stop Smoking and Limit Alcohol.

 Smoking can accelerate the aging process and shorten your lifespan (and quality of life) considerably.  Decreased lung capacity, emphysema, and heart disease are all associated with smoking, not to mention the detrimental effect it has on your looks.  Smoking correlates to wrinkles around the lips, yellowing of the teeth, and aging skin.  If you want to look younger, feel younger and live longer, give up smoking!