Meryl Streep, Catherine Deneuve, George Clooney: When we think about how to age well, these elegant and mature celebrities often come to mind. Sure, they look amazing, but aging well is certainly more than a matter of appearance. In fact, we must accept the inevitability of old age, taking care of the mind and body and bringing out the best of oneself at any age.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Getting started today
Step 1. Use sunscreen
All time. You've heard it so many times that it sounds cliché, but it's true: protecting your skin from the sun is absolutely essential to feeling good and looking good as you get older. Several studies have shown that around 90% of skin problems associated with aging (wrinkles, rosacea, dryness, sagging) are caused by the sun. Apply sunscreen every day, even when the sky is overcast and cloudy.
- To maximize protection, look for a waterproof, broad spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF.
- You can buy moisturizers or even makeup with SPF. Make sure it is broad spectrum and has at least 30 SPF.
- Find a cute, wide-brimmed hat to help protect your face from the sun.
- Prevention is key - it's easier to take a few seconds each day and apply sunscreen than trying to undo a lifetime of skin damage when you get older.
Step 2. Establish a skin care regimen
Keeping skin healthy in old age requires more than just protecting yourself from the sun. Hydrate it every day. Wash your face twice a day with warm water and a mild cleanser (soap can be harsh and dry the skin).
- If you supplement your skincare ritual with anti-aging products, look for those created for your skin type (dry, oily, sensitive), that are hypoallergenic and do not cause acne (non-comedogenic or non-acnegenic).
- Don't assume that the most expensive product is also the most effective. There are many affordable anti-aging products that work just as well or better than those that drain your bank account.
- Exfoliate twice a week to remove dead skin cells. Don't scrub your face thoroughly - use a gentle circular motion with your fingers instead.
- Use an eye cream or serum that is astringent and can reduce bags. Be careful not to put tension on the skin around the eyes - gently wipe the product with your fingertips.
- Don't forget the skin on your lips. Use a moisturizing lip balm with SPF.
- Visit a dermatologist for professional advice on how to best care for your skin.
Step 3. Stop smoking
Smoking actually accelerates the aging process and the formation of wrinkles, depriving the skin of oxygen and essential vitamins. It also damages collagen and elastin, causing the skin to sag.
Smoking is associated with serious health problems that can shorten and compromise your life, such as heart disease, lung disease, and cancer
Step 4. Make plans for when you are retired
It's easy to let work give you a dimension of life, but what will happen when you finally stop working? To prevent you from becoming depressed, inactive and isolating yourself from others in retirement, think of meaningful ways to fill your golden years. You can focus on any passion and interest that the job had overshadowed.
Consider traveling, spending time with family, developing your spiritual life, and discovering new interests that can engage and energize you
Part 2 of 5: Cultivating Your Condition
Step 1. Accept your age
Aging well doesn't mean getting back into your twenties or looking like a teenager. People who age well accept the pressing of age as natural and normal. They are proud of the fact that they are survivors. They don't apologize for their age: they appropriate them.
Step 2. Stop stressing yourself
Stress can make you look ten years older. In particular, it can compromise the immune system and lead to depression, anxiety, obesity, heart disease, digestive problems, and more. Stress is also inevitable. The key is to reduce it where possible - for example, by avoiding distress over the aging process.
- Holding grudges and resentments can be a major cause of stress and lead to emotional and physical problems. Learn to be more understanding and strive to heal those old wounds so that you can best benefit from the present.
- Meditation can greatly reduce stress and anxiety. Take a breathing class or just practice on your own to appreciate the benefits.
Step 3. Be optimistic
Having a positive attitude affects longevity and improves physical and mental health. People who age with optimism (without getting angry or obsessed with age, but accepting it as natural and satisfying) are less likely to need care and can live independent longer.
Part 3 of 5: Maintain a Healthy Body
Step 1. Exercise moderately and consistently
Physical activity is one of the most important factors in staying healthy as you age - for both the body and the mind. You don't have to run marathons or climb mountains - simply walking 20-30 minutes a day is good for your heart, helps you lose weight, strengthens your bones, keeps your mind clear, prevents constipation, improves circulation, and more.
Step 2. Follow a healthy diet that facilitates the pursuit of your goals and is consistent with your lifestyle
Look for diets that are low in sugar and high in vitamins. As we age, our bodies may have trouble making essential vitamins or may need more vitamins to keep us healthy.
- Vitamin E is found in nuts and seeds, green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils. It repairs free radicals that damage cells and can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack.
- Vitamin C repairs free radicals and increases the production of vitamin E. It can also repair collagen and reduce the chances of developing cancer, cataracts and cardiovascular disease. Take the necessary dose from citrus fruits and potatoes.
- Vitamin D helps maintain healthy bones and more is needed as we age. You can get vitamin D from sun exposure, but if you need shade, you can get it through milk and yogurt.
Step 3. Turn off the TV
Several researches have found that too much TV can be as harmful to health as smoking or lack of exercise and can actually shorten life years.
You don't necessarily have to jump from the couch to the treadmill - simply going from inactive (sitting and watching TV) to slightly active (getting off the couch and doing something else) can have a positive impact on your health
Step 4. Take care of your teeth
Neglecting your teeth and gums can have dire consequences. A receding gum or dry mouth can increase the likelihood of tooth decay and infection, which can spread if left untreated. Tooth decay and gum disease can also cause teeth to fall out. Go to the dentist regularly and continue to floss and brush.
False teeth should also be cleaned and maintained with equal care. The mouth can change shape as you age, so be sure to have the prosthesis put back in place if necessary
Part 4 of 5: Keeping the Mind Healthy
Step 1. Cultivate social relationships
Not only will it help prevent isolation and depression, being in relationship with others and getting involved can really keep your mind ready. Following a conversation and formulating responses makes the brain work and prevents neuronal connections from weakening.
It is not enough just to participate in activities and events. Actively nurture new and old relationships to capture emotional and mental gratification
Step 2. Challenge the mind with new experiences
The more you try to stimulate the brain, the better it works. A new experience in particular causes the brain to create new pathways between neurons and strengthen existing connections. If you don't use them, those paths get worse and connections are lost.
Even small changes - like taking a different route while driving, trying a new cooking technique with your favorite recipe, or using your non-dominant hand to make something - can have a positive effect
Step 3. Treat sleep
As you get older, you may find it more difficult to fall asleep or sleep. Lack of sleep, or poor sleep, can lead to depression, difficulty in doing and remembering, and poor judgment.
Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night
Part 5 of 5: Looking the best
Step 1. Don't overdo the makeup
Even if you feel the urge to hide wrinkles with powder and foundation, these products will actually make them more noticeable. The idea is not to mask age with tons of makeup and cosmetics, but rather to enhance your best features. and minimize those that give you the least. You should accept wrinkles, but you don't have to highlight them.
- Instead of applying blush on the cheeks, apply it to the highest point of the cheekbones and blend it down.
- Avoid using mascara or pencil on the lower lid, as this can draw attention to crow's feet and dark circles. Curling your lashes and using black mascara will give the feeling of bigger eyes and whiter white.
- Use a lip liner to keep the lipstick from smudging. You can also find invisible pencils that do the job without color, so you can use them with any shade of lipstick.
Step 2. Don't overdo the surgery
There's no shame in getting a little touch-up, but part of aging well is accepting the aging process. If you choose plastic surgery, don't fool yourself that you can look like you're in your twenties. Talk to your surgeon to look natural and enhance your beauty and personality.
Step 3. Try to feel great
Do you like long hair? Keep them long. Do you think gray hair is great? Don't dye them. Do you prefer blonde hair? Then dye them! Be consistent with who you are and do the things that make you feel better. Remember that getting older does not mean that you can no longer be trendy, have interests, have a sex life, or have new adventures. It doesn't mean swapping high heels for cushioned slippers - unless that's your wish!
