The way I look at it . . . you really don’t need an “anti-aging program” as creating a healthy lifestyle in and of itself is an anti-aging program!
Staying young — inside and out — can help you live the active, full life most of us desire. It is not just about being wrinkle-free or displaying the tightest abs, but having the energy and vitality to being able to take advantage of all the opportunities that life offers. Although you can begin making adjustments at any time to improve and adopt healthy habits, starting as early as possible in your life can reap even bigger gains.
NINE HEALTHY HABITS FOR ANTI-AGING
I have nine categories of anti-aging (or in this case, adopting healthy habits) with loads of links to posts with more details for you to explore, too. Poke around and tap on the green links to see where you might want to improve or get inspired to make a change.
1. Create stress relief.
Stress is coming at us all the time and it can sometimes feel as if it is seeping into every cell of our bodies. I always hear the advice to eliminate it from you life, but that is just impossible! I don’t know of anyone that does not have a difficult person or situation that they just can’t turn their back on so easily. So, I say, learn to deal with the stress better. That usually involves boundaries of some kind and taking some time for yourself to decompress.
- Try tai chi or mediation that I talked about here to keep you in the calm zone.
- Treat yourself to regular massage to melt the stress away and catch these other benefits.
- Music is a great way to escape for a while and lighten the mood. Here are some ways to get great music choices for free.
2. Get daily (or almost) exercise.
Keeping up good fitness levels is not just good for your waistline. It is a great mood elevator and protects us against heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and just about any other disease, too. Each decade as we age, we lose muscle mass more readily so including a weight program or weight-bearing exercise is important to include in your routine. Exercise can help keep our joints lubricated as well keeping cartilage damage and potential arthritis pain at bay.
- If you have fallen off the wagon keeping to an exercise routine or have not even started one, it happens to all of us! You may want to find out why I hate exercise sometimes.
- Cash flow low and no space to workout? Don’t let it stop you and see how to create a home gym with no money and no space.
- Want to just get on with it? Find this extra quick way to get in shape fast.
3. Monitor what you put in your mouth.
First up, toss the cigs, cigars and those electronic things too!. It is the easiest way to age and make wrinkles and most importantly, shorten your lifespan or create disease. It is just as bad for those around you, too. Second-hand smoke is very damaging.
Foods high in antioxidants and minerals and all the other good things found in fresh vegetables and fruits protect our bodies from harm and fortify our bodies and minds to work their best. Try to keep to organic as much as possible.
- These superfoods can really do the trick in increasing those phytonutrient levels.
- I think this chart on greens and how to prepare them can help.
- If weight loss is desirable or needed, intermittent fasting could be something to explore with your doctor. But, it is not for everyone!
4. Choose fats wisely.
Healthy fats are essential. Trans fats are not! Processed foods tend to contain a lot of “bad for us fats” and should be avoided as much as you can. Omega-3 fatty acids found in some fish and other foods are particularly beneficial to the skin, brain, and cardiovascular system.
- Read all about omega 3’s magic here and how best to get them.
- Extra-virgin olive oil contains fatty acids similar to those found in our skin and is an incredibly gentle moisturizer, too. The oldest woman on record used it daily. Perhaps we should follow her path and learn more about its specific benefits here.
5. Find the right amount of sleep for you and do your best to get it.
How much sleep we get can certainly affect our appearance, how quickly our brain neurons fire and our energy levels, too.
- Find the sweet spot for sleep according to latest studies here.
- Make sure to create a bedtime routine for yourself for sweet dreams.
- Easily design a restful spot to get your proper relaxation.
6. Guard the peeps.
Our eyes and the skin around them can age quickly and suddenly. Wear sunglasses to block the damaging rays as much as possible when outside and get regular checkups to make sure your prescription is correct to avoid squinting and straining causing more wrinkles. (I say forget about those laugh lines and crows feet that can happen when you laugh and smile, though. They are worth every joke and good time!)
Don’t miss this: Check out this post to make sure your sunglasses are doing their job to filter out the harmful UV rays.
7. Stimulate your brain and your soul.
Switch it up and step out of your comfort zone to activate your brain and your senses to keep them sharp for the years ahead. Use it or lose it! Take a class, learn a new language, volunteer for that project, travel and mingle with others regularly.
- If your social skills are a little rusty, try these tips on how to make a great first impression.
- Follow this free, really simple tip and you will be on your way to create your strongest relationships.
8. Protect your largest organ – your skin.
Sunscreens can get a bad rap with all the chemicals in them. I try to use it sparingly or choose safer options. But, regardless wearing a hat with a brim under intense sun situations and staying covered or in the shade during peak hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when its rays are the strongest are helpful.
Find a good facial cleansing routine that works for your skin type and always remove makeup before bed to remove pollution and grime that can clog and age the skin. Choose a moisturizer and other skin products that are toxin-free to keep it hydrated and protected. Don’t forget your hands and feet as they can really suffer and age without the proper moisture levels, too.
- This site has loads of information on detoxifying your cosmetics.
- Here are 10 apps to tap into while on your shopping trips to determine if the choice is wise.
- Keep your makeup brushes clean of dirt with this easy breezy method to keep skin clear.
9. Smile often.
Don’t be stingy with your smile. It does wonders for you and whomever you are around (bringing in that social aspect to keeping young!). Keep that smile bright though with white, cavity and dental filling-free teeth. It is so worth the care required. Think of the expense and pain you will save yourself by keeping to a regular brushing and flossing routine and regular check-ups.
Tap here to find out the best practices to keep white and stain-free teeth and keeping that smile youthful.
SHOP ANTI-AGING TOOLS
Would you care to add in here on how to keep our youthful attitude and good looks? By all means, jump in!
Great blog..Its all about internal and outer care.I would prefer to feed my face with fruits and veggies and avoid sweets as much as possible and applying Dermology anti aging natural serum to eleimiates all signs of aging.
Avoiding too much sugar is showing up on studies as an important part of staying healthy. Thanks for making that point.
Great advice. I have started drinking plenty of water for youthful skin and along with it I have started using anti aging cream by lifecell and the results are amazing.
Good for you, Melissa! Water and hydration are an important part for staying youthful!
Drinking water is one of the best things you can do to keep your skin looking young and glowing over time. Staying hydrated promotes skin circulation and helps prevent skin repair from decreasing.
So true. Proper hydration helps us look and feel best!
I love your blog and all the healthy ideas. Anti Aging Ideas are always interesting to me even though the birthdays keep coming. Don't forget the Pinterest game tonight. I see you were one of the winners last week!
So glad you found me! And, yes, even though we still feel 16, the calendar does not say so! Weird how that happens!
These are all great tips. Some of them I'm better at than others. This is a good reminder to take some time for myself everyday. Pinning! Thanks for linking to Tips & Tricks! I can't wait to see what you link up next. 🙂
Thanks so much! Delighted you are sharing it, Sarah.
I love all these tips. My girlfriend's mother told me to use eye cream EVERY night to prevent wrinkles. Apply it with the wring finger. That is the BEST beauty advice I have ever received. #wowlinkup
Nice to have friends' mothers help out with great advice! Thanks so much for swinging by!
I firmly believe that prevention is the best remedy for a healthy, long life. I too agree that we really don't need an "anti-aging program" because following a healthy lifestyle is indeed the best anti-aging program, so thank you for sharing this great anti-aging lifestyle tips with us on the Healthy, Happy, Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I love that this post is full of helpful resources as well. I'm pinning and sharing.
Thanks so much, Deborah. Happy to hear you clicked on the links as they do contain a lot more how-tos and tips to work towards your goals.
Thanks for adding to healthy living on Fridays Blog Booster Party.
The advice in your post is very good and mostly common sense, yet somehow we all need reminding to practice these things.
The good fats message needs to get out more. People are either against all fat or don't know the difference between good and bad. You have a good message. I do hope you can bring us more wisdom next Friday.
The links contain the more in-depth strategies and tips, Kathleen. I hope you got to tap on a few. Yes, you are right, the message on fats can be confusing! Thanks so much for commenting, I appreciate it.
Beautiful tips. Life can be so simple and yet we make things so complicated. Lovely inspirational post.
Thank you, Debbie. You have made an excellent point here and thanks for sharing it.
I like your "Choose fats wisely" the best. My daughter has recognized that Salmon lifts her spirits. It's her feel good food. Not only is it jammed packed with good nutrients, it is super simple to bake.
Yes, the omega 3s in salmon are showing promise for mood elevation! Thanks for telling your daughter's experience.
Great advice! I, especially, like number one. I could go for a massage to keep me looking young. There are many areas on this list that I am working on being better at. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us.
Thanks for coming by, Kelsey! And absolutely – go for that massage!
I agree with decreasing your stress level because that will age you really quick because I have seen it with some friends. Thanks for the article and linking up with WOW.
Stress is a doozy! We all must find ways to decompress and find gratitude for what is going right! Thanks for adding in, Sheila.
I've got to work on getting more sleep and I haven't been eating as healthy as I'd like. Good thing I look very young for my age now, lol! Great tips as always! #wowlinkup
Thanks for coming by, Janelle! I know you have the exercise part down, thought! Ha!
Great tips!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Great! Glad you found them useful!
Great info! I learned the hard way not to cut back on sleep to get things done. Make it a priority!
Yes, sleep is a priority to feel and look our best. Thanks, Jill!
This is fantastic advice! I especially love the advice to protect your eyes. This is so often overlooked, but it really does make a huge difference! #fitnessfriday
It does! Those sunglasses can really help – make sure you read that post on finding a pair that protects them correctly. Thanks, Aimee!
This was a perfect read for me today, Lori, as I've been feeling a bit stressed out! And coincidentally my husband was just giving me a shoulder massage! A weekly full body massage would be great, though. Now if only I lived in Thailand where it's super cheap!
I am with you on that! It might be worth the move! Glad to hear from you!
I started getting serious about investing in some anti-aging habits when I realized to my horror that I turn 30 this summer. THIRTY!!! Can you believe it? I still feel like a teenager, it's soooo not fair! hehe! Great post! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Hold on, Gingi! No worries as each chapter and decade hold good times and plenty of adventures.
Since turning 30 I have been much more interested in skin care. I wish I had of started sooner.
It's not too late! It is good you are aware now. Besides the English always have such pretty skin, I think!
All good advice… I'm coming back for the advice on the home gym. The one thing I am lacking on is strength training… I just need to make a real commitment 🙂 ♡
Launna, weight training is important for those bones and a few times a week can do it: Here is a basic one you could do at home: http://www.more.com/health/fitness/15-minute-anti-aging-workout-0 Thanks for adding in!