For many of us, the idea of staying fresh-faced through our 30s, 40s, and 50s is all-consuming, which is why the anti-aging industry is a $42.5 billion business. However, looking and feeling your best isn’t something you can get from the store. If you want to maintain your youthful looks, you have to make your health a priority. Here’s how to begin.
It Starts with Sleep
Sleeping well is one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Not only does getting seven to eight hours of shut-eye each night make you more alert, but it also gives your body time to repair and regenerate.
As you go about your daily activities, you essentially wear out your cells, tissues, skin, and muscles. When you sleep, most of your systems go into a type of pseudo-stasis. Your body creates skin cells, your insides repair damage, and your immune system fires up to keep you from succumbing to the germs you encountered throughout the day. Your body may look still, but it’s doing the important work of keeping you healthy from the inside out.
If you’ve yet to make sleep a priority, it’s not too late to reap the benefits of rest. Spend some time turning your bedroom into a restful environment. Block exterior light with blackout shades or other room-darkening window treatments, relegate the television to the living room, and invest in a mattress that’s tailored to your and, if applicable, your partner’s sleep style. Angie’s List further recommends keeping the air fresh and eliminating clutter.
Perhaps even more importantly, if you suffer from back or neck pain, make a plan to visit your chiropractor for regular adjustments. After all, if you are in pain, it will be harder to go to sleep naturally. Contact Accordo Chiropractic to schedule an appointment.
Health, Hygiene, and Hydration
Sleep is only one part of the puzzle. You’ll also need to prioritize healthy eating, daily hygiene, and hydration. Eating well gives your body the kind of fuel it needs to develop healthy systems. Maintain a fridge full of fruits and vegetables, and limit your consumption of high-fat foods and empty calories. Drink water with the majority of your meals, and hydrate yourself during the day.
According to University Health News, the eyes are especially vulnerable to the effects of dehydration. A lack of water can cause them to look sunken since they aren’t getting enough blood. It can further lead to swelling and can make any fine lines appear more prominent.
Don’t just hydrate from the inside; make a point to moisturize each night. Your pores produce less sebum as you sleep, meaning you are more likely to experience dry skin throughout the evening hours. Burke Williams Spa explains that regularly moisturizing your skin will benefit your overall appearance in many different ways.
Stress and Its Effect on Aging
Believe it or not, it’s possible to reverse the effects of aging on a cellular level. Shape’s Cristina Goyanes asserts that limiting stress — and learning how to cope with it — is one of the best ways to give yourself an anti-aging boost. Reducing stress limits your body’s exposure to cortisol, which is a hormone that can make you gain weight and feel lousy. Lowering stress levels also helps you keep the “careworn” look at bay.
Diet and exercise can help, but you will also need to take some time to prioritize yourself. You don’t have to go on an extended vacation to ease anxiety. Simple habit changes, such as meditating, eating well, and improving your social life — not your online social network — are all great ways to reduce the chances of you reacting negatively to everyday stressors.
There is something to be said about innovative beauty breakthroughs, but the most effective way to save face is to sleep well, prioritize your health, and let your stress melt away.
Jennifer McGregor
Jennifer co-created Public Health Library to write about health and wellness topics and to create a forum for sharing reputable health and medical information.
Image via Pexels
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