Aging is part of life, and something we should all feel grateful for. However, just because we all grow older, that doesn’t mean we all need to enjoy the process. Some people are particularly concerned about the signs of aging as they feel less confident and secure in themselves and their lives because of it. It’s not just age that makes us look older either; our very own DNA will contribute, as will the environments we live and work in, and the pollution all around us. If aging is something that worries you, you can start to relax a little more because there are many ways to reduce the signs of aging that are causing you concern. Here are just some of them.
1. Maintain A Healthy Weight
Being underweight is just as unhealthy as being overweight. Both cause health problems including heart disease and issues with blood pressure. However, it’s not just our health that suffers when we are an unhealthy weight; our skin will look unhealthy too, becoming discolored and sallow looking.
Of course, maintaining a healthy weight is often easier said than done, but you can start by reducing the size of the portions that you eat. Do this gradually, and you will barely notice it is happening until you are finally at a stage where you aren’t overeating. If you aren’t eating enough, then do this the opposite way, gradually adding to your plate until you reach a reasonable level. Of course, if your over or undereating is a more serious issue and potentially a mental health problem, speaking to an expert is the best course of action.
2. Never Forget Sunscreen
The sun is something we all love when it shines, but despite our love for it, it can be hugely damaging to our skin. The UV rays that shine down from the sun cause damage to the skin and can produce age spots and wrinkles, making us look older than we really are. Not only that, but the sun can also be the cause of some skin cancers. Due to this, it is far better to wear sunscreen every time you go outside, even if it doesn’t seem as though the sun is shining, or it doesn’t feel warm. Getting into good habits is important as you won’t forget when the sun is blazing, but it is also useful to remember that the sun’s rays can be penetrating your skin even if you can’t see it through the clouds.
3. Keep Your Hair Nourished
Hair is something that can easily be forgotten when it comes to trying to look younger, with skin, muscles, and facial features being foremost in many people’s minds. However, poorly conditioned and under-nourished hair can make us look older than our years. In order to give yourself a more youthful look, it could simply be a case of making sure your hair is well looked after. Start by washing it regularly, although not every day if possible as this will mean you are washing away the natural oils in your hair.
Another good idea is to use conditioners that will protect and revive your hair. Look for those containing Argan oil as these are particularly known for ensuring your hair is protected and has a beautiful healthy looking sheen and shine to it as well.
4. Exfoliate
Glowing, healthy-looking skin is another excellent way to look more youthful. You can achieve this entirely naturally by exfoliating on a daily basis. Exfoliating means that you are essentially cleaning out the pores in your face, preventing them from being blocked by dead skin cells, bacteria, and dirt. You will obviously look a look healthier due to this (what people would call ‘fresh-faced’) but as well as this; it will prevent breakouts of acne too, which will keep your confidence levels higher. When it comes to really reducing the signs of aging, however, it is especially important to remember that exfoliating can help to reduce those fine lines and wrinkles that can suddenly appear on your face.
When choosing the right exfoliator for you, it is wise to look at the ingredients. Some will include harsh chemicals that, especially for those with sensitive skin, can be a problem. You can actually easily make your own all-natural exfoliants simply by searching online and using store cupboard ingredients such as lemon, honey, and oats.
5. Keep Hydrated
By drinking enough water throughout the day, you can keep your skin looking healthy, and your mind will be clearer and more able to focus too. In fact, water can help with every aspect of your health, and all you need to do is keep a bottle or glass with you throughout the day to sip from. When you are properly hydrated, you will see that your skin glows more and has a better color to it. When you are dehydrated, your skin will look dull, and the lines and wrinkles that you have will actually stand out a lot more and be more noticeable.
6. Be Positive
Although we have been looking at physical ways to reduce the signs of aging, there are mental ways to do it too, and one of them is to have a more positive outlook. What you feel on the inside has a definite effect on the way you look; if you are happy and confident, that’s how you will appear. If you are worried about something, people will be able to pick up on that because of the way you look and act.
Therefore, trying to keep as positive as possible will give you a more youthful appearance. It isn’t always easy to do this with a lot of stress and worries from day to day life, but it is essential not just for your looks but for your mental and physical health as well. To start with, trying smiling a lot more, even when you don’t feel like it. Doing so will make you look instantly younger as your wrinkles will be reduced, but as time goes on it will feel more natural too, and will be easier to do, making you and those around you feel happy in the process.
