They say in life the only guarantees are death and taxes, but what they fail to remind you is, tucked in there among those two, is, yes, aging. We can’t help you with the, well… ultimate. And since we’re not financial advisors, the paying taxes part we’ll leave to the accountants, but the aging part? Well, that’s one area where we can give some sound advice. Today, we’ll be reviewing 5 things you should do to combat aging. They’re simple, easy-to-follow, and some may say... fun.
Real Talk: How-To Fight Aging
When trying to ward off the effects of aging, proactivity is a necessity, so for those of you who may have some procrastination issues you’ll definitely need to work through them to get your desired results. After all, a mindset shift is needed to make any lasting change in life. Think about the scientifically supported fact that it takes 66 days on average to form a habit, and let that guide you as you implement the 5 things we list below.
Take Care Of Your Skin
Are you a person who neglects a skincare ritual? Maybe you think that the good old water-and-a-standard-moisturizer routine will suffice. Or you think that whatever is the cheapest at the drugstore is fine. Well, sadly, that line of thinking needs to change to help give you the anti-aging results you seek.
The reason for this is simple: What you put on your skin (and how you apply it) matters. In fact, many products on the market that aren't made from organic, plant-based ingredients can contain ingredients that actually negatively impact your aging process. Yep, that’s to say they can speed it up -- (ugh!). Don’t believe us? Added fragrance and phthalates found in soooo many products can cause the surface of the skin to dry out, making it appear dehydrated or irritated. Read: Not ideal.
To combat that, make sure that you’re engaging in an all-natural skincare routine that only uses antioxidant-rich ingredients to fight off the free radicals responsible for cellular damage.
Maintain A Proper Diet
The old saying that you are what you eat holds true when it comes to the realm of skincare. Sadly, if you drink a milkshake you won’t become a delicious cup of sweet, creamy goodness, but you will see the impact of that choice on your skin. Namely in the form of a greasy complexion or possible pimple post-consumption. For this reason, it is vital to keep on top of what you’re eating. Below are a few great antioxidant-rich options to replace that midday sugar craving that will benefit your skin naturally.
Kale: Kale is naturally a nutrient-dense vegetable and has an extremely high level of Vitamin A. As you may know, Vitamin A is a key player in keeping the skin’s complexion beautiful. So, grab some kale chips and munch on.
Nuts: Nuts contain omega fatty acids which are known to support the elasticity of skin and reduce inflammation. Some of the best ones that you can eat for your skin are almonds, Brazil nuts, and cashews.
Papaya Fruit: Papaya is not only a delicious replacement for a sugary treat, it contains a high level of antioxidants that benefit the body overall. In fact, in one study, it was shown to reduce oxidative DNA damage which is linked to aging. Not one for sweets? Get the benefits of Papaya Fruit with our 02 Cleansing Balm/Overnight Mask that has cold-pressed papaya oil as a key ingredient. When applied topically, papaya is an excellent natural exfoliator.
Keep On Moving
Make sure to be moving daily. It goes without saying that exercise has many great benefits (raising your heart rate regularly elevates your mood by boosting your endorphin levels, and sweating helps rid the body of toxins) but one of the other things it does is keep aging at bay. In a recent study, researchers observed that when participants over the age of 40 incorporated exercise into their lifestyle weekly their skin’s inner and outer layers looked comparable to that of 20-and-30 year olds. This stems from the increase in myokines (protein peptides released by muscular contractions) in the skin that are known to enter the bloodstream and kickstart positive changes in your cells. So, be sure not to skip that after work fitness class! Your skin will thank you.
Say Cheers… Occasionally
While having a social drink once or twice during the week is acceptable, alcohol in excess is something you want to avoid (in general, but also as it pertains to skin care). Alcoholic beverages can not only dehydrate your skin, leading it to feel dry the morning after a rough night, but it can actually cause extrinsic aging over time (aging caused by outside factors that are controllable). Which would you rather: multiple martinis in a weekend or glowing skin Monday morning for life? Your choice.
Mindset Makeover
This may seem like something you didn’t expect on a list of anti-agers but mindset is a huge asset in keeping aging at bay. Sure, it may not combat wrinkles alone, but as we’re learning, there’s something to be said about the belief “thoughts as things”. In fact, it has been shown that people who have a positive mindset tend to be less frail in old age than those that are in a constant state of unease. So next time you find yourself thinking negatively, try writing down 3 things you’re grateful for and change your perspective from unhappy to appreciative. You’ll be amazed how great maintaining an ‘attitude of gratitude’ can make you feel, and when you feel good, you look good.
In all, when it comes to combating aging, it’s important that you take a proactive approach. If you do, we’re sure that present you and future you will love the results!
Sources: