Have you ever been asked this question — What are the signs of a life well lived?
My answer is this quote by Hunter. S. Thompson ”Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty well preserved body, but rather to skid broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, WOW, what a ride!”
Ageing is beautiful and a part of life. Every wrinkle, every scar, every dark spot, every broken bone and every aching muscle are all signs of a life well lived. Using all your talent, kindness, love earns you lines, dimples and wrinkles but vanity is here to stay!
Most of us would like to hold onto our youthful appearance. I’m here to tell you that chemical procedures and plastic surgery does not have to be your go to. There are natural ways to look and feel younger.
Read on if you want to know the secret to melt away the years, naturally and holistically.
There’s nothing wrong with ageing and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to look and feel younger. Here are some tips to look younger naturally-
Hydrate —
Water… one of the golden rules to younger looking skin is hydration. Our body is 70% water and our skin is our body’s largest organ. So naturally our skin needs plenty of water to stay hydrated and supple. Dehydration can cause your skin to look dry, dull and emphasise your lines and wrinkles. Aim to drink at least 2 litres or 8 glasses of water a day. The more hydrated you are, the more plump, subtle and youthful your skin will appear.
Hair care —
As we age, our hair changes in texture, colour and density. To combat dryness, use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner and oil your hair a few times a month to nourish and deep condition your hair. Hair styling tools like blow dryers, straighteners and curling irons use high levels of heat which can damage your locks, leaving them dull and lifeless. Since shiny hair is a sign of youth, avoid using too much heat on your hair. If using heat is inevitable be sure to use heat protectant prior to using the hot tools. Another hair care tip is to cut your hair in layers to give it character, especially if you want to keep it long. Lifting up layers adds texture to your hair and frames your face, slashing years off your face.
Get some ZZZs —
Ever wondered why Princess Aurora was called “The Sleeping Beauty”?
A youthful appearance is heavily influenced by getting enough rest. When you sleep, your body continuously releases hormones that promote cell turnover and renewal which regenerates your skin cells and makes your skin soft and willowy. Collagen production also increases while you sleep which prevents sagging. Use this time to your advantage by using anti ageing skincare products like retinol, retinoids and beta hydroxy acid (BHA). Consider using a satin or silk pillowcase. It’s softer on the skin versus a fabric like cotton which is rougher on the skin and can lead to the breakdown of collagen in your skin and wrinkles. Try to go to bed around the same time every night to establish a healthy sleep schedule.
Stand up straight —
Good posture is very important. It makes you look younger, thinner and sharper. Bad posture can make you look older. A hunched back is a sign of being old. It’s time to lift yourself up, stand tall with your head held high, chest out and shoulders straight. Excercise your dorsal spine!
Stretch and stay active —
Say goodbye to stiff pints and muscles and hello to stretching. Being inflexible is the first sign of ageing. Be safe while stretching. Always stretch to the point of tightness, not pain. Staying active helps you maintain your weight and look trim. Working out can slow your ageing at a cellular level by nearly 10 years, increases blood flow and oxygen throughout your body which leads to a more youthful appearance. Not to mention exercising and staying flexible are marvellous ways to stay healthy, inside and out.
Don’t stress —
Stress is the opposite of awesome. It can mentally, emotionally and physically age you. Say adios to everything that causes stress in your life. To reduce stress in your life, think of ways to relax, do activities that bring joy to your life and destress. You will automatically look and feel younger.
Have a skincare routine —
While water helps your skin stay hydrated from the inside, you need to hydrate your skin from the outside as well. Dry skin tends to look less plump and more wrinkly. That’s why infusing moisture back into your skin is a must if you want to look younger. The right skincare products will do the trick. Hydrated skin not only looks better, but its stronger and more supple. It’s important to use dermatologically tested and cynical grade products for your skin. The ingredients used are superior and give better results. Massage your face, either with your hands or tools like the Guasha and jade roller. Face oils can significantly improve the hydration of your skin.Face oils are a great way to restore the face’s natural glow. Don’t neglect your body. Be sure to use a hydrating moisturiser for your body as well. Exfoliate your face and body weekly to get rid of dead skin.
Stay out of the sun and use SPF —
Sun exposure plays a humongous role in your skin’s appearance. UV rays can take most of the blame when it comes to your skin’s visible signs of ageing- saggy and dull appearance, wrinkles, age spots and an uneven skin tone. To protect your skin from the sun, always wear a good quality sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Make sure that it’s a broad spectrum sunscreen (blocks UVA and UVB rays). Keep in mind that the sun’s rays are out whether it’s sunny or not, so be sure that you wear sunscreen everyday. Remember to reapply your SPF every few hours for maximum protection. You should be wearing SPF from head to toe, in the winter, summer and monsoon. You can choose between mineral and chemical sunscreens based on your personal preference.
Ease up on the makeup —
Heavy, full coverage makeup can do more harm than good. Instead of using heavy makeup to cover up your lines and spots, opt for sheer make up. The cakey thick make up will settle in the lines and wrinkles making it more prominent. Opt for nudes, soft pinks and natural tones versus darker colours.
Have a healthy diet —
The benefits of a healthy diet are numerous. A healthy diet is the key to healthy and young skin. Eating anti-inflammatory foods, foods with antioxidants, collage rich foods and foods with nutrients, vitamins and minerals are a must to maintain that radiant and youthful glow. Aim to eat a healthy diet full of fruits, veggies, whole grains, healthy fats and lean proteins. Eating foods of different colours are magical for your skin. You really are what you eat!
Live, Love and Smile —
This is so easy and very effective. Just smile. Smiling not only makes you look younger but it also makes you look happier and more attractive. Affection (giving and receiving) makes people appear much younger. Intimacy and affection releases endorphins, which slows down ageing.
So there you have it, a few ways to look and feel younger naturally. There’s no need for chemicals, plastic surgery or botox. If you feel old, you’ll look and act old. Think young!
