Ever since Eve took that first bite of the apple, the human race has been obsessed with beauty.
The truth is, once you hit your mid-twenties, you are now in the aging process. So, it is important to take measures to help prevent onset of fine lines and wrinkles.
Every day we are bombarded with commercial messages and beauty tips that attempt to lure us into believing that the most recent miracle drug is just what you need to fight off the ravages of Mother Nature. Do you believe that to be true?
Logically, the best route to natural beauty and healthy skin is to just take care of what you have, naturally. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? The truth is that your skin takes a beating from the environment every single day. Here are some of our favorite beauty tips for keeping your skin fresh and healthy.
1 - First and foremost, stay hydrated by drinking lots of water! That does not mean soda, caffeine, or any other type of liquid, even if it is low cal. Soda (even diet soda) has a high concentration of sodium. Sodium retains fluids. DRINK WATER! You need fluid that will hydrate and flush your body free of harmful toxins that often manifest in signs of aging or unhealthy skin. Make sure you are drinking at least 8 glasses a day! The better rule is at least half your body weight in ounces of water. Example – Someone weighing 140 lbs. should be drinking a minimum of 70 oz. of water daily.
2 - Protect your skin from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. While most all of us love the sun, being in it and getting a beautiful tan, the truth is you can poison yourself from too much exposure to sunshine. UV rays can cause skin cancer and your skin to age faster than it normally should, often contributing to unsightly, premature wrinkles. If you must play in the sun, make certain you are using an adequate sunscreen. Don’t leave home without it!
3 - Keep your skin clean. Wash your face every day and apply cleansing masks 1-3 times per week for some extra love and self-care.
4 - The best cure for wrinkles is to never have them in the first place! If you are like most of us, you didn’t listen to your Mom when she tried to tell you to stay in the shade, stand up straight and stop squinting!
5 - Eat healthily. Knowing how and what to eat, can make a huge difference in how you feel. Improper eating habits can cause depression, weight gain, illness, overall lethargy and . . . you guessed it . . . . less than optimal looking skin. So make sure to eat fruits and veggies and try to intake less red meats!
6 - Weight gain causes your skin to stretch. As you get older, it loses its elasticity and the result is sagging skin. The best solution to this is to eat healthily to maintain proper body weight.
7 - Don't worry, be happy. A happy outlook triggers the release of endorphins. Endorphins relax the cardiovascular system and cytokines which alert the immune system to pay attention to detecting abnormalities, like cancer cells. Listen carefully to yourself (we mean listen to your body and overall wellbeing). If you’ve put yourself down since childhood, over a lifetime, the negative subliminal messages can take their toll by turning you into a pessimist. Spend some time (perhaps over a week) writing down the phrases you use in your “self-talk.” Chances are you will find that you repeat a dozen or so phrases over and over again that reinforce that negative image. If you know about them, you can change them. Outer beauty and inner joy tend to go hand in hand.
Here are a few quick tips for increasing joy, hope, and optimism no matter what your age:
- Make a list of at least 10 great things that happen to you every day.
- Laugh a lot. It truly helps to heal your body and your mind.
- Discover or engage a new activity or challenge each month.
- Try meditating for just five minutes each day.
You’ll be amazed at what these key practices can bring to you on so many levels, especially for your skin’s health and vibrant glow. Your skin lasts you a lifetime and will show well to the world if you take care of it.
Cheers to living Young Ever After!
