Don't laugh at me (my friend chimes in "Don't call me names..."). I know I'm only 26, but a lot of people, and by that I mean everyone that I meet, thinks that I look younger than I really am.
An expert who knows what to look for would probably hit a little closer to the mark, guessing early 20's, but recently I've been mistaken for a young teenager. I was about to get into the therapy pool at my health club and the lifeguard informed me that those 14 and under not allowed in that pool. I hope she wasn't embarrassed when I told her my real age, because I think it's rather amusing.
It won't be amusing, however, if when I turn 30, I suddenly look my age. I would have endured all of the teasing for nothing. I doubt that will happen, but I've decided to take some steps now that will slow the aging process. I've been reading a lot of articles lately and here are the best 11 tips I've heard for slowing the aging process.
1) I don't smoke, drink, or do drugs, so that is one obvious factor that might give me a more youthful appearance than peers who engage in those behaviors. I don't condemn the occasional drink, but I do frown on behavior that is hazardous to one's health and relationships. Everything in moderation.
2) I don't go to tanning salons or spend hours in the sun unprotected. I went to a tanning bed the month before my senior prom and I could just feel the cancer seeping into my skin. I hated it. I spent the last few years in Honduras where the UV index was constantly "extremely high", so if I was going to be in the sun for more than a few minutes, I slathered on the sunscreen. AND, despite my current pale appearance, I still managed to acquire a very healthy glow and light tan.
For a while experts were saying that people should wear sunscreen all the time, even during incidental sun exposure (walking to and from the car) but then they realized that people were subject to a variety of other health risks when deprived of vitamin D. I got into the habit of carrying my sunscreen with me in case there was a spontaneous soccer tournament at my school but I didn't apply it in the morning before going to work.
3) I didn't realize until recently how much my skin might have benefited from the fact that I like to wear hats and sunglasses. Not only do they offer an extra degree of protection against the sun, but they cut down on squinting, which eventually causes wrinkles. Don't argue with me and say you aren't a hat person. I wasn't either until someone gave me a really cute hat and I just decided to wear it with confidence. Once you get used to seeing yourself in hats, you'll see yourself as a hat person.
4) EAT FAT! Okay, this is something that I didn't change until recently. I tend to eat very little fat, not because of any diet, but because I've always been a big carb eater instead. I like a good steak or burger, but I don't eat them very often. Most fatty things are also greasy, which my stomach doesn't handle very well. Yes we should avoid saturated and trans fats, but we need the unsaturated fats in fish, nuts, and olive oil. I Living in Honduras helped me to like fish more and now I cook a lot of my food with olive oil. Side note: Everyone wants to avoid high cholesterol but a few years ago my total cholesterol was below 100, which meant my good cholesterol was low. Numbers that low can cause health problems, too.
5) Less sugar. Okay, I promise I'm not trying to sound like a dieting website. I don't approve of most fad diets, but I am all for a healthier lifestyle, which I need to step up and achieve myself. I ate so much sugar as a child that it's a miracle I don't have any cavities. As I got older, too much sugar gave me headaches, so I don't go overboard too often, but I could still cut back on the sweet tea. But other than weight and blood sugar management, why less sugar? It has been linked to increased prodution of WRINKLES! Eek! I don't want those.
6) Having close friends. Don't get so busy as you age that you only see your friends on facebook. People who spend time with close friends live longer. So, get on facebook and invite some friends to a movie night.
7) Get more regular sleep. In college I didn't get enough sleep but when I became a teacher, I was responsible for a whole class and not just myself, so I had to get in bed on time or I wouldn't survive. Now that I'nm back in the U.S. and working for myself, I tend to have really irregular sleep patterns. I might get enough sleep, but I don't have a regular bedtime. Everyone knows we should get 7-8 hours of sleep, but I read recently that some people who sleep less (around 6.5 hours) live longer, but you have to find the sleep pattern that works for you. I also read that it is easier to wake up in increments of 1.5 hours so as not to interrupt a sleep cycle. So, since 7.5 is divisible by 1.5, you might feel more rested than if you slept for 8 hours and woke up in the middle of a sleep cycle.
8) Stress is a big factor in aging. It can suppress our immunity and increase blood pressure. What I've tried to do lately is incorporate simple stress-relievers into my daily routine. In college and when I lived in Honduras I didn't have a bathtub, just a shower, and I didn't realize how much I missed taking long hot baths. Now, I give myself permission to take a relaxing bath and do some reading as long as I'm productive the rest of the day. I also indulge in one guilty pleasue, like a sweet tea, which is my comfort drink. Whatever relieves stress for you, give yourself permission to do it regularly. It will help you be more efficient in your other tasks, and help you feel and look younger.
9) I do not own an iPod, but I don't have anything against them. I tend to listen to music while I'm sitting at the computer and I've just always had something else that I neeed to spend money on. I may get one someday, but I will certainly watch how loudly I listen to my tunes. Hearing loss can definitely make you seem older. I was watching a video about this and their suggestion was to use noise cancelling headphones that cut out background noise so you don't have to turn your players up so loud.
10) Regular exercise. Wow, I am guilty of disobeying this rule. I was very active in Honduras because we were always going on adventures, walking places, and swimming. However, now that I'm back in the U.S., I have my car, and it's COLD outside, I've turned into a couch potato. I recently joined a gym though, I'm super excited about the indoor pool, and I recently started SCUBA lessons, so hopefully my habits will improve this year.
11) I'm back to skin again. Protecting your skin against the sun is important, but you should also protect it against dry, cold air and this rule doesn't just apply to your face. Wearing gloves in the winter can keep our hands more youthful. I'm not a big fan of using tons of heavy creams and lotions, but there are a few products you should invest in. A good cleanser and moisturizer are key. I use oil-free, hypoallergenic products, usually from Neutrogena, but I don't have a preference as long as it doesn't break me out and makes my skin look good. Now that I'm closer to 30 than 20, I might invest in one good night cream to prevent wrinkles, but I think it's better to prevent them on the front end by not exposing yourself to the forces that cause wrinkles in the first place. Except laughing. Wear your laugh lines with pride.
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