As we age we tend to become much more conscious of the way we look. Those fine lines and wrinkles start to appear and they can make us feel old. While not all of us are blessed with youthful looks, we can all help to slow down the signs of aging.
Surgical and cosmetic procedures are not always needed. You can, with a little effort, start to look younger and slow down the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
1 – Drink Plenty of Water
You may not think that drinking water can affect the signs of aging, however, it can make a real difference. Drinking water doesn’t just make you feel less thirsty it also hydrates your skin. Skin that is hydrated looks younger, less dry, and fuller.
You don’t have to drink a lot of water every day, just make sure you get enough. Women need to drink about 11.5 cups of water each day, men need to drink about 15.5 cups. If this seems like a little too much you can always encourage yourself to drink more. Have a glass or reusable bottle of water next to you while you work. Chances are if water is close by you’ll drink it.
Don’t like the taste of water? Add some flavoring to it. Drop in a few slices of cucumber or add some fruit juice.
2 – Wear Sunscreen Every Day
Wearing sunscreen every day can help to keep you looking younger. Not only can the sun’s rays cause cancer but they can also age your skin. Wearing at least sunscreen that’s at least factor 30 can really help. Ideally, the sunscreen you use will have the words “Broad spectrum” somewhere on the label. This means that you will be protected against the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.
You may also want to make sure that any sunscreen you wear is water-resistant. Sunscreen can easily be washed off. A little resistance to water can help to protect you. Just make sure you re-apply the sunscreen at least once a day. Ensure you apply it to your face, neck, arms, and hands.
3 – Keep Moving
The older we become, the less mobile we get. We can find it harder to stand up quickly, run up the stairs, or even get out of bed. If you want to appear younger, you need to keep moving. Stay as mobile as you can and you’re more likely to appear youthful.
You don’t have to move every minute of the day, simply make sure you get enough exercise. Consider joining the gym or an exercise class. The more aerobic your exercises, the more benefits you are likely to get from them.
If you’re not the type of person to indulge in aerobic activities, you could opt for something slightly more gentle. Yoga, for example, is a great type of exercise that builds flexibility and strength. If you’re new to yoga, make sure you use a yoga bolster pillow and a yoga mat. A pillow and a mat can help you to get in the right positions while offering you support.
Try to exercise at least 3 times a week and for at least 30 minutes at a time.
4 – Get Plenty of Sleep
It goes without saying that people who get plenty of sleep look better. Sleep not only rests your body but it can also help you to look younger. If you have bags under your eyes you can look older than you really are. Make sure you have at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
While this might seem impossible when you have a routine in place you can get the sleep you need. Create a sleep routine today. Make sure you go to bed at the same time every evening. Sooner or later your body will get used to the routine and you’ll fall asleep a little quicker. You’ll also need to set a waking-up routine. Getting up at the same time every day can help your body to wake up and get moving.
When you have a routine and you get the sleep you need you will look and feel better.
5 – Deal with your Stress
When you don’t deal with your stress it can affect the way you feel and the way you look. People who are less stressed tend to look and feel younger. They frown less and smile more. Meditation can be a good way to deal with stress, but so can exercise. Think about how you currently deal with stress and how you can boost those coping mechanisms.
You don’t have to be the most zen person on the planet. However, you can become less stressed and look more youthful.
Use the above tips to help you to slow down the signs of aging. While many of these tips won’t have an immediate effect, they can slow down those signs of aging over time. With a bit of work, you too could look and feel younger.
