How to stop signs of ageing in its tracks!
Whether we like it or not, ageing is a part of life that we all have to deal with. Whether this be through wrinkles, soreness, or using the phrase ‘I’m too old for this’ as part of your everyday vocabulary, this unavoidable stage is something that cannot be ignored. But instead of burying your head in the sand, use some of these helpful tips to slow down the ageing process.
Step 1: Your Eating Habits
What you put into your body is such an important fuel for your everyday life, and, when eating the right things, it can be full of all the good wrinkle fighting vitamins and minerals. Fruit and vegies are filled with antioxidants, and their job is to fight oxidative stress by working with the free radicals in your body to stop any cell damage that may be occurring. By avoiding processed foods, you will also avoid consuming large amounts of refined sugars, trans fats and preservatives, all of which, when consuming in large quantities can take a toll on your health. Researchers believe that poor quality foods, such as those high in trans fats can cause inflammation within the body, as well as consuming foods with high levels of sugar or processed carbohydrates can lead to damage in your skins collagen- all things we want to avoid. Eating more whole foods such as these, will not only help your body internally, but will also aid in slowing down any external signs of ageing.
Step 2: What you are drinking
One of the best parts of getting older, is enjoying a wine with your friends every once in a while, right? But we all know the effects of alcohol on the ageing process, so just like most things in life, everything in moderation. The best thing for you to be drinking is as simple as it gets. Water. Everyone knows the importance of water, but many go through life knowing they should drink more water and still do nothing about it. The muscles that move your body are made up of 75% water, your blood is 82% water, your lungs are 90% water and your brain is 76% water. Although there is no magic number of how much water to drink, and there is a number of variable to consider, such as gender, weight, activity etc., experts believe that males should be consuming anywhere from 2.6 litres of water a day, and females should be drinking anywhere from 2.1 litres per day. Dehydration can contribute to signs of ageing such as inflammation and pain, as well as how youthful we actually feel.
Step 3: Your mobility and strength
After the ripe old age of 30, your muscles stop actively building and your body begins to slowly start losing muscle. This does not mean to counter this you need to spend 4 hours a day at the squat rack, it just means you need to be more mindful of the training that you do. Resistance training is a great place to start, and this can be done in so many different ways that don’t have to include an expensive gym membership! This step is a super easy but a super important one to ensure is a part of your routine!
Step 4: Sleep
It’s the age-old cliché of getting your beauty sleep, but getting a decent night sleep can lead to that glowing complexion that we all aim for. Experts believe that skin repair happens at around 11pm, at this time, and during sleep in general, human growth hormones are released which can strengthen the skin and increase muscle mass. So, while you’re snoozing away, your body is working its hardest to create that young, supple skin. A lack of sleep, which we all know can happen, can cause excess cortisol to be released into the body which can result in a breakdown of collagen, this can show up in dark circles, puffy eyes, pale skin, and the dreaded premature ageing. So, when possible, aim for as much sleep as you can get, your body will thank you in more ways than one!!
Although there is such a negative stigma around ageing, it is important to remember that is does happen to everyone, and so many other people are in the same boat as you! So instead of hiding those wrinkles and greys, embrace them! They paint a picture of the life you have lived and the things you have experienced! You’ve only got one body; you’ve got to appreciate it for what it does!!
All Images Via: Pinterest