Advice

Modern Lifestyles series – Top ten anti-aging tips
We’re all getting older and sadly, there is no way of stopping the hands of time. But, by following a healthy lifestyle the aging process can be slowed, meaning that whatever your age, there are steps you can take to ensure you look younger for longer.
While there are a plethora of anti-aging creams and medical procedures on offer to keep the aging process at bay, these can be expensive, intrusive and may have lasting side effects.
By choosing to follow a healthy lifestyle, you can ensure that you feel as good on the inside as you look on the outside. So, take the time to check out these top ten tips, and remember to have a look at our sponsored links for beauty therapy services in your area.

Get the right amount of sleep
Getting the right amount of sleep is important whatever your age. Sleep is the time of the day when the body rebuilds, repairs and re energizes for the next day. The skin is the largest organ of the body and without the proper levels of sleep, it will also be the largest age-showing part of your body.
At the surface of the skin are millions of cells that die off each day due to environmental influences, dry skin and sun damage. While lotions and cream may ease the effects of these factors, sleep is the only regenerative cycle that can truly undo the effects of the day. Without enough sleep, the skin will be unable to rebuild those dead and dying cells and this is when aging occurs.

Drink more water...
Correct body hydration helps keep your skin young. Drink natural juices as much as possible, mineral water and tea. Avoid consuming too much black tea and coffee. In the summer your body will need up to 6 litres of fluids while during the cooler seasons 1.5-2 litres will do the job.

...and less alcohol
Avoiding excessive amounts of alcohol can make all the difference to your complexion and overall health. Excessive consumption is associated with a host of liver complications and can also cause osteoporosis and associated bone problems.
Alcohol also has an aging effect on the skin. Alcohol causes the small blood vessels to widen, producing flushed, coarse skin, broken veins and deeper lines and wrinkles.
Your figure will suffer too.  Consume a lot of alcohol and you are getting ‘dead’ calories.  In fact – as a rough calculation – we need to walk one mile for every unit of alcohol we drink in order to walk off those added calories. If we don’t rid ourselves of calories from alcohol, they’ll most likely be stored as fat around the abdomen, hence the term ‘beer belly’.

Eat healthily
Eat a diet low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates is key to maintaining a healthy body. The general consensus is that you should aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables each day, together with three servings of whole grains for the correct balance of vitamins and minerals that help keep you healthy inside and out.
It is also important to stay away from harmful preservatives and processed food. Many processed foods are made with trans fats, saturated fats, and large amounts of sodium and sugar.
These processed foods and pre-packaged meals are very convenient and can be hard to avoid completely. If you do shop for these foods, be sure to look for products that are made with whole grains, low in sodium and calories, and free of trans fats. Make sure you pay attention to serving size too, and balance out the processed foods you eat with healthy alternatives such as fresh fruit and vegetables, together with wholegrain bread, brown rice or pasta.
And remember, a healthy diet will help you achieve a healthy weight. Carrying excess body weight will put stress on your internal organs and increase the risk of weight related diseases. If you are overweight, then significant weight loss can make you look years younger.

Anti-oxidants
Anti-oxidant foods have been heralded by some experts as a veritable ‘fountain of youth’ that can dramatically increase your chances of living a long and healthy life.
They are substances or nutrients in our foods which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products) which can cause damage. Antioxidants act to neutralise these free radicals and therefore limit the damage they can do to the body through causing damage to cells.
Antioxidants are abundant in a wide variety of foods – also known as ‘superfoods’- including brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, whole-grains, nuts, seeds and beans, fish, chicken, eggs and garlic.
           
Anti-aging supplements
The surface of your skin is forever changing as your body carries out natural skin rejuvenation all by itself. For younger looking skin you can help this natural skin rejuvenation process by giving your body specially formulated antioxidants.
Some vitamins will help to give you younger looking skin. Vitamin C helps to fight against wrinkles and fine lines by producing collagen. Vitamin E helps the skin look younger by protecting it from UV rays and also by eliminating harmful free radicals.

Exercise is key
Regular aerobic exercise is a ‘must-do’ for anyone committed to slowing the aging process. Exercise can help maintain muscle strength and some studies have even gone so far as to conclude that regular exercise can actually reverse the aging process in muscle tissue.
Exercise also increases your cardiovascular capability, helping you to remain active for longer. It helps to fight high blood pressure, cholesterol and can aid a restful night’s sleep. And of course, exercise helps keep you slim.
All in all, exercise is a sure-fire way to maintain and improve your health. However, it is important that you do not over-exercise, especially if you have existing medical conditions. It is always a good idea to speak to your doctor before embarking on any ambitious exercise regimes.  

Reach for the sun cream
Whereas the right amount of sun exposure can help you to look younger with tawny, glowing, healthy skin, too much sun will do your skin irreparable damage. The aging effects of sun tanning deplete your body of vitamin B. Prolonged sun exposure, year after year, is responsible for both premature aging of the skin and many skin cancers. To look younger, protect your skin from harmful UV rays.

If you smoke, quit
It’s that simple. Smoking has been proven to accelerate the aging process. It lowers the amount of vitamins and minerals in the skin, leaving it susceptible to wrinkle conditions. It also causes gum shrinkage and stains teeth. All in all, smoking is a definite no-no for anyone who wants to maintain their looks, whatever their age.

Manage stress
It has been proven that chronic stress increases the aging process' speed. Don’t forget the three eights rule: have eight hours of sleep, eight hours of work and eight hours of relaxation each day. It sounds impossible, right? Try yoga, meditation, massage or aromatherapy. You can use oils that create a peaceful sensation such as lavender. Can't get enough sleep? You should try harder, otherwise your efficiency at work will suffer, you’ll do a lot of mistakes and you'll get old quicker. Try harder to spend quality time with your friends, in a relaxing environment. Laughter has its benefits!

 

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