Here's my 8 tips that have worked for me to help slow down the inevitable aging process.
I think most people would agree that they would prefer to look fresh faced, have lots of youthful energy as opposed to having dull, lifeless skin and feeling tired all the time. The latter symptoms usually describe how many look and feel in their forties and beyond, however, it doesn’t have to be that way. Whilst we cannot reverse the aging process we can slow it down and, we can train our bodies to be lean, supple and agile. How we go about achieving these results is a matter of opinion and preference. In this blog I share what I am currently doing and what works for me.
Tip # There is nothing like a little shut-eye to banish those pesky eye bags.
Sleep is at the top of the list for me. So underrated yet so important. In my twenties and into my forties I enjoyed many a late night. My skin and energy levels were always good after a late night, there were no #darkcircles, bags or any tell-tale signs, however that all changed in my 50’s. Now the late nights were giving out warning alerts in the disguise of dark circles, bags and wrinkles under the eyes. My skin was clearly stressed from my lifestyle and I had to implement new strategies to improve my overall well-being and at the top of the list was sleep. Although it was a challenge to get to bed much earlier, it has been life changing. I typically get in bed by 10.30 or 11pm and manage to get 8 hours of quality sleep.
What this means for me is that I wake up energised and ready to take on the day and my skin looks better, although good skincare and more fluids has also attributed which I will discuss further along in the blog.
Tip #2 - Hydration is everything.
Water - I use to think I was a good at getting in 8 glasses of water a day but sadly I was not being realistic. With a busy schedule, I wasn’t taking in as much water as I thought, which in turn led to #dehydratedskin. I found a simple way of insuring I keep up to speed with my water consumption by having a glass first thing in the morning, then another one after my smoothie which I tend to have for breakfast, then another glass at mid-day, and so on throughout the day. If I think of water intake and correlate it to time, I find it a little easier to remember to drink more.
"My skin was clearly stressed from my sleepless lifestyle." –
Tip #3 - Make it personal
We can’t mention water without mentioning food. I’ve always been a relatively healthy eater. My mother is an outstanding cook and she likes to cook using natural ingredients, plenty of vegetables and herbs of all kinds. I did, however, begin making smoothies as a healthy breakfast alternative and I have a few recipes on my Instagram page, if you are interested. Smoothies are a great way to get extra protein, which is highly recommended for #peopleover40, and a way to add vegetables and fruits which feed and regenerate cells.
Tip #4 - What goes in must come out.
Detoxing your body is a great way to recalibrate the whole body. I do this in a number of ways, either by increasing my fruit, vegetable and water intake and eliminating all processed foods sometimes for 3 -5 days. Another method is drinking fresh juices and water only for a day or two. There are many #benefitstodetoxification but the ones I enjoy the most is clarity in thinking, improved skin radiance and increase energy. Detoxing the body is a very personal choice and if you have health concerns it is wise to seek medical advice before you embark on such a journey. There are numerous detox methods to choose from, the key is picking one that works with your lifestyle, health concerns and the results you want to achieve.
Tip #5 - Move those bums....
#Exercise is addictive, in a good way. It’s definitely hard to stick to it when you’re first starting out but once it becomes a regular part of your daily routine the benefits you gain simply inspire you to keep going. This has been my experience. I have seen an increase in my energy levels, quality of sleep and weight.
Tip #6 - Chill out, I mean that!
#Relaxing for me was something I had to diligently focus on because I like to keep busy and if you follow me on Instagram @gitasword then you will know that I look after my parents, which is more responsibility and work than one can imagine, but I love it. That said, relaxing became very important to me and my health. Finding things that help you to relax and making time for it is so important. For me, I enjoy reading and writing, both are relaxing activities for me. I also enjoy a good sauna which simply melts tension. I try to take a few hours a week where I just simply do nothing. Try, being the operative word.
Tip #7 - You are never too old for anything, especially learning a new skill, a new career...learning is ageless.
Mindset. A few years ago, I got myself a few mentors, one to work on business development and the other on #personaldevelopment, both were perhaps the best investment I had given myself in years. My personal development mentor taught me the importance of positive thinking and he helped me to highlight how often I was seeing things in a positive light. It’s so necessary especially if you want to improve your relationships.
So, there you have it, my top 8 strategies that helped me to improve my quality of life and helped me to steer away from things that are #aging. I hope you found these tips helpful. Let me know in the comments.
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