Lifestyle Tips to Delay Aging
When we’re in our teens and 20s, it’s easy to think we’ll live forever, and that we’ll always enjoy the same levels of vitality, enthusiasm, and mental acuity throughout our lives. However, reality sets in as we get older and begin to slow down. Not only do we have less energy for daily tasks, we also experience outward signs of aging, such as graying hair, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Although scientists haven’t yet discovered a way to reverse aging, there are plenty of methods for staying young at heart and looking as youthful on the outside as you feel on the inside.
1. Stay Active
Regular exercise keeps both physical and mental health at peak. Lifting weights can help stave off lost muscle mass and bone density. Increasing heart rate and maintaining it for at least 20 minutes can boost circulation, which is ideal for maintaining bright, dewy skin. Keep your exercise regimen from getting annoying by switching up cardio and weights up with hiking and tennis. If you thought cardio was only about jumping jacks, think again. You can get creative with your fitness by taking a dance or water aerobics class. There’s more than one way to get your heart pumping!
2. Keep Skin Moisturized
As you age, your skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin begins to plummet, leading to the development of wrinkles and fine lines. Using moisturizer is one way to improve the quality of your skin and lessen the impact of wrinkles. And, while you may already be in the habit of cleansing and moisturizing your face at least twice daily, don’t neglect other areas, such as your arms, hands, neck, and chest. The skin on these parts is just as vulnerable to sun damage and premature aging as the skin on your face – more so, in fact, if you’re failing to wear a high-quality sunscreen (more on that later).
3. Eat a Balanced Diet
Unfortunately, the food industry’s has pushed a diet of highly processed, sugary foods, most of which are low in nutrients. If you’re eating the typical U.S. diet, you are not giving your body the whole foods it needs to keep you healthy and prevent you from aging rapidly. You are also at a higher risk for developing health problems such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
Keep in mind, too, that many whole foods include the healthy fats that support skin. The fatty acids and oleic acids in monounsaturated fats (avocados, nuts, and olive oil) moisturize and lubricate skin cells. These foods also supply anti-aging power-hitters anti-oxidants. Food rich in antioxidants include blueberries, strawberries, spinach, nuts, green tea, raspberries, and dark chocolate. To make sure you are getting enough nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, consider the “rainbow approach” to planning your plate. On grocery store trips, load up on the purples, reds, oranges, and greens. Think about what colors may have missed, and incorporate them into your next meal.
4. Slather on the SPF
Especially here in Colorado, where many people lead an active, outdoorsy lifestyle in our typical 250 days of sunshine a year, wearing sunscreen is one of the best anti-aging habits you can develop. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and put it on before any outdoor activity – yes, even on a cloudy day, the UV rays can still reach your skin. Preventing sun damage is one of the best things you can do to delay the signs of aging and make sure you have healthy skin for life.
Schmidt Facial Plastic Surgery – Your Fountain of Youth
With state-of-the-art offices in Steamboat Springs and Englewood, Dr. Jeffrey Schmidt is pleased to serve the greater Denver area with advanced surgical and non-surgical procedures to reverse the signs of aging. Contact us today to learn more about our concierge-level services and our commitment to outstanding patient outcomes.
