People have varying opinions on aging. Others embrace it, doing nothing about their wrinkles and graying hair, while others dread it. The latter may go to great lengths to combat aging, from taking collagen supplements to injecting Botox. To be fair, there’s no right or wrong way to deal with aging. What’s more important is keeping your body healthy. You can have a decreased muscle mass and still be agile, or have smooth skin but suffer age-related medical issues. So more than anything, be kind to yourself as you age.
If you’re really determined to maintain your youthful glow, that requires work both on the outside and on the inside of your body. Most of our physical attributes are a reflection of what’s inside us. So while Botox and other skin-lifting procedures may help, natural remedies are the ultimate key to fighting aging.
Without further ado, here are some natural anti-aging hacks to include in your routine now:
1. Use Anti-aging Products in Your 20s
Many people aren’t aware that anti-aging products are designed for adults in their 20s. Not because you start showing signs of aging at 20, but because prevention is better than cure. Once you develop wrinkles, it’ll be hard to smooth back your skin naturally.
You don’t need skincare products specifically labeled “anti-aging” to maintain a youthful glow. Just using sunscreen every day already slows down your aging. That’s because unprotected sun exposure is a major factor in premature aging. Even if it’s cloudy or cold outside, the UV rays can still affect your skin and dehydrate it.
Skin dehydration, or dry skin, also occurs when you bathe too long or use high temperatures for washing your face. Oversoaking takes away your skin’s moisture, while high temperature strips off its natural oils. Even if you use sunscreen or other anti-aging products, the effects may be minimal if you dehydrate your skin.
Don’t forget to use a toner as well. Your skincare routine should consist of a cleanser, toner (especially at night), moisturizer, and then sunscreen. Effective whitening toners also have anti-aging properties; consider that kind of product to avoid aging spots in addition to wrinkles.
3. Exercise Regularly
The best anti-aging hack is exercising regularly. Staying fit lets you maintain a healthy muscle mass, cholesterol levels, and immune system. It also helps you control your blood sugar levels, preventing diabetes, which tends to be common among older adults.
You should research or consult a fitness expert before committing to a certain exercise routine. Different body types and metabolic types require different types of exercise. But in general, if you want to focus on your heart health, aerobic exercises are the best. For strengthening your bones, strength training is the way to go.
4. Ditch Processed Food
If you tend to take advantage of your youth when choosing your meals, you might regret that in the future. Remember, prevention is better than cure. Being health-conscious while you’re still young will reduce your odds of developing serious diseases when you get older.
Experts agree that the best anti-aging eats are whole, natural foods. Cut down processed foods, added sugar, and salt from your diet, and stock up on more whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich food. Try making your own meals as well. Home-cooked meals are always healthier, not to mention cheaper.
5. Treat Aging Skin With Essential Oils
Wrinkles may be hard to cure naturally, but it’s possible. If crow’s feet and smile lines have started appearing on your face, dab a mix of essential oil and carrier oil on those areas.
Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils, and, as its name suggests, “carry” the essential oils to the skin. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, and argan oil are some examples of carrier oils. Essential oils, on the other hand, are the fragrant oils used in aromatherapy, with the most popular ones being lavender, lemon, and rose.
6. Live With Positive Vibes
People aren’t kidding when they say stress, anger, or toxic relationships make them feel and look old. Cumulative lifetime stress accelerates the epigenetic aging process, which predicts the rate of biological aging. So if tension has been thwarting your peace, do yourself a favor and let go. You may lose some friends and other important people in the process, but if they contribute nothing good to your life anyway, it’s worth it. If you want to stay young, sometimes, you have to think of yourself first. Not because you’re selfish, but because you need to prioritize your own well-being at times.
When you beat the effects of aging, you can confidently say that age is just a number. Looks like the fountain of youth is everywhere around us, after all.
