Ever since Eve took that first bite of the apple, the human race has been obsessed with beauty. And today, more than ever, it has become a premium for many, no matter how you identify. The truth is, once you hit your mid-twenties, you begin the process of aging. It becomes important to take measures to help prevent onset of aging, mainly 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 really believe that to be true?
Logically, the best route to natural beauty and healthy skin is to just take care of yourself and 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. It means DRINK WATER! Soda (even diet soda) has a high concentration of sodium. Sodium retains fluids. You need fluid that hydrates and flushes 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 - 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! 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, spots and other skin issues. If you must play in the sun or work out in it, 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. Be sure to use products that are plant-based, using natural ingredients that are great for your skin. Remember, toxic products laden with chemicals and synthetic ingredients are absorbed by your skin. They can contribute to your bodies toxicity and manifest in your skin and how you look.
4 - The importance of eating healthily cannot be overstated or underestimated. 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!
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 maintain proper body weight.
5 - 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 some recommendations 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. You’ll heal your body and your mind.
- Discover or engage a new challenge each month.
- Try meditating for just five minutes each day.
If staying and looking younger is one of those things that you desire, you’ll be amazed at what these practices can bring to you in myriad forms, especially for your skin’s health and vibrant glow.
Cheers to living and looking Young Ever After!
