5 Tips on Looking Youthful as you Age

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I remember when Botox was a fairly uncommon procedure; and, now, I see Botox signs all over the place.  While I don't have any issues with people wanting to look as good as they can, I do think there are other ways to get access to not only looking more youthful but feeling younger as well - and, they don't require drugs or needles.

Two of the processes that will make you age faster and are also linked to many diseases are INFLAMMATION and OXIDATION. Inflammation is your body's defense mechanism to the presence of a dangerous substance in your body.  This immune system response is life saving but also has terrible side effects on your skin by creating free radicals (also called oxidation) that accelerate the aging process.

Free Radical triggers in your diet are....

  • processed foods
  • hydrogenated oils
  • refined flour
  • artificial chemicals
  • sugar

5 Ways to Help Maintain Beauty (inside & out)....

  1. Fats - Plant fats contain many oils that are favorable to our appearance.  Avocado, olives, raw nuts, certain raw seeds, coconut oil are so good for the skin.  Raw or cold-pressed fats and oils are one of the best foods to include in our diet because they beautify the skin, lubricate the joints and intestines and strengthen cell membranes. 
  2. Greens - Leafy greens such as chard, kale, spinach, dandelion, etc. are filled with chlorophyll.  Chlorophyll is a blood cleanser, blood builder and oxygen booster.  It helps our bodies fight off disease, strengthen our immune system and enhances overall energy level and wellbeing.  
  3. Water - The first step in getting the body chemistry in proper order is to become well hydrated.  Water carries nutrients to every cell and flushes out many toxins.  A large percentage of the population is chronically dehydrated which can lead to premature aging.  Proper hydration keeps our skin (our largest organ) healthy.

  4. Get Moving - People need to exercise.  Our bodies thrive on movement and quickly degenerate without it.  The challenge is to find the type of exercise you enjoy most.  Physical activity can be simple.. like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, taking a brisk walk, or riding a bike.  It doesn't have to be done in a gym!  Even just 10-15 minutes a day is enough.

  5. Smile - I know I say "smile" a lot lately in various blog posts, newsletters, etc.  According to Patt Lind-Kyle, inside your head your brain's neuronal signals travel towards your smiling muscles and moves them to form a smile.  The next thing occurring is that there is a positive signal feedback loop back to your brain.  This loop creates a feeling of joy as your smile stimulates the brain's reward center in a way that chocolate can't even match.  In short, our brain tells us to smile, we smile, and the smile muscles tell our brain this is a wonderful feeling and so it continues as long as you keep smiling.  How cool is that?!!

In my opinion, beauty is not something you go out and get.... it's something you earn by taking care of what's inside of you.  And, that means not only eating really good food that feeds your cells but being grateful and happy with many aspects of your life -- from your job, your spiritual connection, your exercise program, your spouse and your friends.  Find those things that nourish your soul and you will find the keys to real beauty, whatever your age.