I figured everyone looks ten years older than their actual age these days, so I thought why not write on how to look younger. They say ageing is inevitable, but why put it off until the last possible moment? Well, enjoy the tips I put together for you …
STAY OUT OF THE SUN TO STAY YOUNG
Always, always, always wear sunscreen with at least a 30 SPF rating, and make sure it’s broad-spectrum (blocks both UVA and UVB rays). Doesn’t matter if the day is cloudy or bright – the UV rays are always there. And remember to reapply every few hours so it continues to protect your skin.
It’s not like a fan of what am writing or asking you do, but you how you hate to do things that are beneficial to you right. I say invest in a good sunscreen.
EAT A PLANT-RICH DIET
Staying young and healthy is easier when you eat a healthy diet of mostly fruits and vegetables supplemented with lean protein and whole grains. These foods provide key nutrients that support healthy ageing inside and out.
Fruits & veggies also boost your intake of important phytonutrients that help defend against damaging free-radicals. I can say with every sense of pride that I can cook enough vegetable dishes known to the Nigerian culture, I love vegetables, you simply can’t go wrong with them, mix it up, so you don’t get bored.
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
Ok so on this advice, everyone that knows me would testify that am a fish, I drink so much water it’s unbelievable. You can’t overemphasize the importance of water in your diet, it’s essential. Want to know how to look younger naturally? Drink 6-8 glasses of filtered water each day to keep skin supple and support optimum health.
BOOST YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
Well it’s because this is an important advice, ordinarily I won’t even mention it ,I hate exercise,plain n simple ,but guess what ,I do it regardless. The results to you body is unbelievable. You would look young, sexy and hot, ask Kate Henshaw and also ask me, wink wink!
Make sure you’re active daily – recent research shows that vigorous exercise, particularly high-intensity interval training, can slow ageing by almost a decade at a cellular level! Exercise also increases blood flow, moving oxygen and nutrients to working cells in the body – skin included – promoting a more youthful look.
AVOID TOBACCO PRODUCTS
I know this advice is hard, as well, a considerable number of us are guilty am not saying quit altogether as that would an impossible task, but quite gradually one day at a time.
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do to your body and skin. Ditching tobacco is essential if you want to stay young looking.
LIMIT ALCOHOL & CAFFEINE
Alcohol (in moderation) can have some health benefits, but too much alcohol and caffeine have a negative impact on both your health and appearance. Me I won’t lie, I like coffee, I love coke, I use to be addicted to taking them, but guess what I walked away n reduced them considerably and now I feel a lot better . Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate and deplete your body of vital nutrients.
ADOPT A GOOD SKIN CARE REGIMEN
Start your daily skin care routine with a gently exfoliating cleanser. Apply a moisturizer to hydrate the skin, allowing it to stay firm and elastic and reducing the appearance of wrinkles. Ingredients like green tea extract, vitamins A, C & E, and hyaluronic acid help protect against free-radicals, increase collagen, and retain moisture. Reduce the damage you are doing to your skin, you are beautifully made. Please slow down the extreme measures to look a certain way. Let your skin glow gracefully.
Boost With Nutritional Supplements
Ageing skin results from a combination of biological and environmental factors. While the first line of defence should be a healthy diet, it’s a good idea to use anti-ageing supplements and beauty supplements to help cover any nutrient gaps. I take Vitamin C and some other supplements.
GO SEE A PRO
As we age, facial volume decreases due to loss of fat, bone density and muscle, making lines and wrinkles more obvious. Repetitive facial expressions can also cause deep frown lines that contribute to an aged or even angry appearance. In addition, hyperpigmentation, broken capillaries and acne scars can become more prominent with age.
GET PLENTY OF PROTEIN
So this is so me, I can literally finish a whole chicken sitting down. Protein is so my thing.
Your body needs a ready supply of protein available to build new collagen and elastin. You don’t need to eat like a bodybuilder.
Just aim to eat a small amount of high-quality protein at every meal, like nonfat plain Greek yogurt at breakfast, beans or peas at lunch, a whey protein shake for a mid-day boost, and lean poultry or fish at dinner. Plenty of chicken, you can’t go wrong.
EAT MORE FAT
Not all fat is bad – Omega-3 fatty acids (found in oily fish, nuts, and seeds) have been associated with slowing a key biological process known as telomere shortening that results in tissue damage and visible signs of ageing.
Staying young means stressing less. Set aside a small chunk of time every day, about 10-20 minutes, to relax, meditate, or just breathe deeply, while letting worries melt away and helping yourself look younger naturally.
CUT CALORIES
Eating fewer calories has been linked to a longer lifespan. And other studies have shown that exercising and restricting calories lowers production of a thyroid hormone called T3, slowing metabolism and helping slow the ageing process.
EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN
“Use it or lose it” is true when it comes to brain function. In the same way that physical exercise helps brain fitness by improving both long-term and episodic memory as well as concentration, brain exercises may be able to “train” your brain and keep cognitive decline at bay even up to 10 years later..
Keep fit with puzzles, Sudoku, learning new languages or skills, or playing an instrument – whatever gets your brain going. Me I don’t like puzzles one bit to complex but my son recommends it all the time, he says mum, you are acting slow, play chess, you need to be more fun, well over to you, what say you?
TRIM BELLY FAT
Haaaaa….we are all guilty, but
maintaining a healthy weight is key to looking and feeling younger, so get rid of that fat around the middle.
The middle age spread is real – that accumulation of visceral fat is not just a sign of ageing but can nearly triple the risk of developing dementia.
DON’T SKIMP ON BEAUTY SLEEP
It’s not a myth – even science shows that you look less attractive, less healthy, and even sad when you’re sleep-deprived. Sleeping more means staying young!
SLEEP ON YOUR BACK
The way you sleep can affect the way wrinkles develop on your face. Just as when muscle movement against collagen, like laughing or frowning, can promote its breakdown, “sleep lines” can be formed through the nightly application of pressure as we lie with our faces against the pillow. Sleeping on your back instead of on your stomach or sides alleviates pressure on the face, helping to prevent these wrinkles.
KEEP COMPANIONSHIP
Having a partner in life, whether a spouse or even a companion animal, can have a positive effect on ageing. Both can help lower stress, improve brain function, boost immunity and mood, and help us live longer. Consider it a testament to the power of love! Find love or find a close friend.
DON’T ACT YOUR AGE
This one is hard in Nigeria, where everyone prides themselves in being called uncle and aunty.
Mind wins over matter when it comes to ageing because studies show that people who thrive in old age think younger. It’s okay to act younger and look younger …no big deal at all.
I close by saying I learnt a few things writing this topic this week, hope you did too. Life is to short to look old when you can look young and fabulous. From Next Week our Q& A segment would be sponsored by Anu Signature Brand, stay tuned for mind-blowing give always. I would love to read from you via IG, FB or email @anuadewunmialoba, Until next week I remain yours truly….anu adewunmi-aloba
….xoxo
Anu Adewunmi- Aloba is a Lawyer, Mediator, Writer, Entrepreneur. She is the President Anu Signature Brand, she is a beauty enthusiast and a stylish lady…
