Aging is inevitable; this is a fact. As the years pass, facial lines appear, and our once-plump skin begins to sag. This can be scary since we all want to retain our youthful appearance and remain forever young. So we flock to buy the latest anti-aging serums and pills and spend thousands on fillers, Botox, and plastic surgery. But did you know there are natural ways to maintain a youthful appearance and slow down aging without resorting to expensive and invasive procedures? Here are some natural anti-aging tips that may help:
Yoga
Ever wonder why most yogis look much younger than they are? Not only does yoga increase your flexibility, strengthen muscles, enhance your stamina, and give you more energy, but it also has many natural anti-aging benefits. Yoga serves as a natural detox for your body by removing toxins that speed up aging, allowing your cells to restore and regenerate. In addition, your pores are cleansed, allowing your skin to look plump and vibrant. Several asanas (postures/poses) stimulate blood circulation, sending vital nutrients to your tissues and organs. And what is the biggest organ in your body? You guessed it, your skin. Youthful, glowing skin comes from the inside out, and doing binds, inversions, and arm balances will help you achieve it.
Yoga also produces hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in anti-aging beauty products, that helps skin stretch and flex, reducing fine lines and wrinkles. There’s no need to buy this product since your body can produce this chemical naturally. By doing deep stretches like Yin yoga, the fascia, or thin casing of connective tissue surrounding your organs, releases hyaluronic acid throughout your body. In other words, if you’re looking to find the fountain of youth and take years off your face and body, start doing yoga.
Water
Water helps you stay hydrated. What happens to a flower when it doesn’t get enough water? It dries up like a shriveled prune. You’re the flower. Drink water to avoid dehydration and to keep your skin from looking dry, lifeless and dull. According to experts, the amount of water each person needs varies but is approx. 12 cups for men and 9 cups for women. To achieve this goal, you can simply drink more water or consume foods high in water content, like tomatoes, celery, and watermelon. Water also improves skin tone by flushing out toxins that can lead to clogged pores, acne, puffiness, and tightness. Here’s a tip, elevate your water by adding lemon, cucumber, and fresh mint. You’ll think you’re at a spa. Drink up!
Sunblock
I can’t express this enough, everyone needs to wear sunblock! The sun’s UVA and UVB rays are extremely powerful and can cause skin cancer. It also transforms your youthful, smooth skin into a leathery purse. No one wants their face to resemble leather. In addition, the sun creates wrinkles, sagging, and age spots. And people of color, I’m talking to you too! You thought you were exempt from this conversation? Sunblock helps to prevent hyperpigmentation which people of color are more prone to.
If you’re looking for a new sunblock, I love Shiseido’s line of sun protection, and my favorite is the Clear Sunscreen Stick. It goes on silky smooth and is water resistant for up to 80 minutes. G.M. Collin makes a great SPF for sensitive skin, and tennis player Naomi Osaki recently released Kinlò, a sunblock specifically “designed for melanated skin.” Make sure to reapply accordingly, and invest in a big hat if you’ll be directly in the sun.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C doesn’t just help boost your immune system; it’s also a powerful antioxidant known to improve skin tone and texture, hydrate the skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots, brighten your complexion, repair damaged skin, and produce collagen. Remember, beauty starts from within and you need to eat foods packed with vitamin C like: citrus fruits, bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, guavas, cruciferous veggies (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower), and white potatoes. The goal is to include vitamin C in your daily diet. For example, try adding citrus fruits to your water. You can also dice up bell peppers and add them to your sauces, stews, and salads. Additionally, consider incorporating nitric oxide supplements to support overall health.
Sleep
Sleeping Beauty isn’t just a fairy tale character; it’s a motto, as beauty sleep is real! Your skin needs time to heal and repair itself from the day. Sleep also helps with those dreaded dark circles. Dark circles may be genetics, but you can help keep them from appearing darker by getting your Zzzzzs. This is why you awake refreshed and bright-eyed after a good night’s sleep. If you’re having problems falling asleep or staying asleep, drink a shot of tart cherry juice before bed. It’s rich in antioxidants and melatonin, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep without waking up groggy. Sweet dreams!
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