Wouldn’t it be awesome to have immediate access to a natural spring of water that would reverse the aging process for anyone that would immerse themselves in it?
Yes, that would be amazing and would make our lives so much easier! But, it sounds too good to be true if you ask me…
The quest for the fountain of youth dates back to the 16th Century. You have likely heard of the story for the quest led by Ponce DeLeon, a European explorer who in his era believed there was such a fountain and was obsessed with finding it.
This legend has been told time and time again throughout history for thousands of years and has become a popular myth.
That. Is. It.
Aging successfully? Is this even possible?
Similar to this pursuit, we often find ourselves desperately seeking ways to defy the aging process, feeling compelled to try the next big anti-aging secret to radiant, youthful looking skin.
We spend incredibly high sums of money on products and treatments that may or may not work, only to appear younger.
Truth is every single day we grow older our bodies deteriorate. Most days the aging process goes unnoticed until one day we look in the mirror and notice our first strand of gray hair and our first wrinkle. As you begin to ponder on the inevitable, instead begin to envision the myriad of possibilities to the wonder of the fountain of youth. Yes, your own personal fountain of youth. What I mean by this is instead of obsessing on the “if only” or “what if’s”, focus on realistic possibilities that you can create for yourself.
How do you reverse aging?
There are many simple ways to reverse the aging process. Believe it or not, we all have access to the tools we need to slow down the clock right at our fingertips. You just have to use them consistently.
Follow these simple steps to aging successfully and start to feel rejuvenated immediately.
- Drink plenty of water
It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Staying hydrated not only keeps our cells and organs healthy, but it also helps with the appearance of our skin. When we are dehydrated, our skin cells become damaged affecting our collagen production and elasticity making our skin saggy and more susceptible to wrinkles. Unfortunately, we are exposed to toxins in our environment daily which also have a negative effect on our cells and tissue contributing to premature wrinkles. Water however, is a natural detoxifier and drinking it is one of the most effective ways to eliminate harmful toxins from our body. The benefits of drinking water are endless. Water should be our number one choice of drink. Keep in mind that our water needs are based on our health and physical activity and daily recommendations vary per person.
- Anti aging foods
Healthy skin is a reflection of our overall health. How we look and feel goes hand in hand with how well we take care of our body. It is important to eat a balanced diet to stay healthy. Not only will your diet keep your health in check, but it will give you healthy skin as well. Nutritional value is key when making food choices so your body can reap the benefits from the inside out. Making healthy food choices that can gradually be sustained over time is the goal here.
Believe it or not there are anti aging foods out there you could be eating which aid in aging successfully. It is important to choose foods from the following food groups to have a well balanced nutritional diet:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts
- Milk products
Try to limit your intake of saturated fats, trans fats, salt and refined sugars. For one; there is no nutritional value and two; they make you gain weight.
Making smart food choices can help manage your weight and feel more energized throughout the day. If you’re not sure about what your should be eating, you can consult with a nutritionist to help you get on the right track.
- Physical activity and exercise
Physical activity is essential for your health and helps keep your body looking and feeling young. Staying active regularly increases longevity. You don’t need a gym membership to stay active. There are several outdoor activities you can do to stay active such as brisk walking, running, biking and hiking. If you aren’t already physically active, it is import to start with low to moderate exercise, then increase your intensity slowly. It is said that incorporating 30 minutes of physical activity three times a week can increase your life up to 5 years. Sadly, most people (myself included) make many excuses when it comes to working out. “I don’t have enough time” or I’ll start tomorrow” are very common excuses. Why is it that we put off the things that benefit us the most? It is important to stay physically active to improve our health. One thing you can do make exercising a regular part of your life is to find an accountability partner to keep you motivated. Staying physically active will not only increase your chances of living longer, but will make you look great and feel better about yourself.
- Get at least 8 hours of sleep
I don’t know about you, but I love to sleep. If I don’t get good sleep, I feel sluggish and unproductive the next day. Getting at least 8 hours of sleep helps with mood and mental focus. Any time you are deprived from sleep you will notice the effects on your body immediately, from noticeable dark circles under your eyes to feeling sleepy throughout the day. Our bodies need sleep to regenerate and renew to prepare for the next day. Not getting enough sleep can also lead to illness. Sleep deprivation has been linked to stress and depression. Significant levels of stress can take a significant toll on our body and speed up the aging process. Adequate sleep can reduce stress levels which helps keep our body healthy and reduce signs of aging. So it’s ok to hit the snooze button from time to time.
- Daily skincare regimen
It is very important to have a daily skincare regimen. First, you will need to become familiar with your skin type (normal, dry, oily or combination) and add to your daily regimen as needed.
One thing that is a must for all skin types is the following:
Morning routine: Cleanse your skin and ALWAYS moisturize with SPF 30 or higher.
Night routine: Cleanse your skin, apply night cream/eye cream.
Weekly routine: exfoliate once a week
Cleansing and moisturizing your skin is key to aging successfully. Additionally, taking off your makeup every night is a must. I’m guilty of being super tired and falling asleep with my makeup on countless times. This is a big No-No! It has been said that sleeping with your makeup on speeds up the aging process by 7 days. Now whether that is a myth or not, it is just not good for your skin as it only clogs your pores and your skin doesn’t receive the proper care making you look tired and restless the next day so DON’T do it. Another tip to aging successfully is protecting your skin from the sun. This has incredible benefits. Sunburns are no fun and can make you age quicker. It is recommended to use SPF 30 for daily use and increase to SPF 50 when spending most of the day outdoors or enjoying a day at the beach. I personally suggest to sleep on your back to try to avoid wrinkles from forming on your face and neck. If this is hard to do perhaps you may need to invest in some silk pillow cases as they are less damaging to your skin. Also, when moisturizing don’t forget about your neck and other areas of your body especially in the summer when our skin is prone to becoming dry and flaky.
By following these simple tips, you can slow down the clock significantly. And the sooner you start, the better. Don’t waste another minute, start taking care of your yourself TODAY.
