After surveying around 5,000 aged 40 and above, German researchers found that feeling young can help protect against stress. According to the study, feeling young leads to increased optimism, having better coping mechanisms, and it also reveals tangible physical benefits.
Many people often think of youth as a time of freedom, fun, and exploration. However, it’s also a time when your body is at its peak. You have more energy, your skin is clearer, and you generally feel better about yourself. So, what can you do to keep that feeling going strong? Here are some tips to help turn back the clock and look younger:
Have a Daily Self-care Routine
Finding time to care for yourself when you’re busy caring for your spouse and children can be challenging. But it’s important not to overlook your health and maintain a daily self-care routine. You can get enough sleep, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and stay hydrated throughout the day.
Once you can get eight hours of sleep per night, you’ll notice a difference in your energy levels. Eating a healthy diet is key to maintaining your youthful appearance. Be sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. And don’t forget to stay hydrated by drinking eight glasses of water per day.
Moreover, exercising is essential for your physique and your health. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, hormones that make you feel good. Exercise also helps improve your cardiovascular health, increase your strength and flexibility, and reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. So no matter how busy you are, you should find time to exercise, even if it’s for a few minutes a day.
Keep a Healthy Lifestyle
While sleeping well, exercising, and eating a healthy diet are critical for maintaining a youthful appearance, you also need to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Smoking can damage your lungs and increase your risk of developing cancer. Studies also show that smoking more than 20 cigarettes a day can cause moderate to severe alopecia. And drinking alcohol can lead to liver problems and other health complications.
Reducing stress in your life is also as crucial as avoiding smoking and alcohol. When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, a hormone that can lead to weight gain. Additionally, stress can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. To deal with stress, you can try practicing meditation, aromatherapy, journaling, listening to calming music, or taking walks in the great outdoors.
Enjoying a sunny day doing fun activities is good for you and the family, but staying out in the sun without any UV protection can damage your skin. Sun exposure can cause premature aging, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. So be sure to protect your skin using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and above. The higher the SPF number, the more protection the sunscreen provides. You can also wear hats and sunglasses outdoors to be both fashionable and safe from the sun’s harmful rays.
Treat Yourself
Doing something special for yourself will also do wonders. You can get your nails done once a week, get your hair done every 4 to 6 weeks, or get massages and facials once a month. You might also enjoy going shopping to help you relieve stress. It doesn’t have to be expensive—something that makes you feel good and is just for you.
If you want to take your anti-aging routine up a notch, you might consider getting some cosmetic surgery done. Examples include a facelift for sagging facial skin, liposuction to get rid of unwanted fats, and tummy tucks for flatter stomachs. However, these are pricey, invasive procedures that require anesthesia and going under the scalpel.
But if you want non-surgical procedures, you can also try PDO threading that has the same purpose as a facelift, microblading for fuller brows, or you can get laser hair removal for any unwanted body hair. Although some non-surgical procedures can be DIY, it would be too risky if you don’t have training.
It is still best to have any procedure done by professionals. But if you prefer to learn these DIY methods, you can get proper training and become certified. After having the right credentials, all that’s left is to buy PDO thread, a microblading pen, or a handheld laser hair remover. Then you’re well on your way to looking beautiful and saving up on money in the long run.
Maintain Healthy Relationships
Maintaining healthy relationships is a straightforward way to turn back the clock and look younger. Connecting with loved ones and building solid relationships can make you happy and make your years more youthful. You can bond with your family by taking vacations together, researching your family tree, or simply spending time talking and laughing together.
You can also make new friends by joining a club or group that shares your interests, such as a book club, gardening club, or exercise class. Keep friends that are both older and younger than you to get different perspectives on life. These relationships will keep you feeling young, energetic, and alive.
No matter your age, you can take steps to look and feel younger. And continue to age gracefully. Just do what makes you happy, keep a positive outlook, and the years will start to show less and less.
