It is inevitable that we age, but I’m determined to do it gracefully. Actually, I’m more along the mind set of “I’m not going down without a fight!” kind of gal.
There are quite a few things we can do to age well. You are probably asking what that even means ! Well it doesn’t mean trying to look like we are 20. It’s about living a life that enables us to feel like we have enough vitality and mental health to do the things that bring us joy. These are some topics I find most useful.
SUNSCREEN
I cannot talk about aging without first screaming WEAR SUNSCREEN! In my youth it was common and normal to slather oneself with butter or tanning oil. The kind with zero SPF . It’s not exactly about if you burn or not. Though burning is very very bad. The suns ultraviolet rays penetrate into the skin. There, they damage the elastic fibers that keep skin firm, allowing wrinkles to develop. Sunlight is also responsible for age spots or “liver spots” on the hands, face, and other sun-exposed areas (webmd). These ultraviolet rays can penetrate through windows and cloud cover. Blue light from computer screens can lead to inflammation and the breakdown of collagen and elastic tissue of the skin. So if you think you don’t need sunscreen because you are not going outside, think again. Shoot for spf 30 or higher, everyday.
WATER
We need water to digest our food, get rid of waste and it helps our brain function. Whoop whoop ! I don’t know about you but I’ll take all the help I can get ! Water also assists in weight loss, increases energy and lubricates our joints. The recommended amount of water to drink daily is 1/2 your body weight in ounces. So if you weigh 200 lbs it’s suggested that you drink 100 ounces of water. I hear ya sister, that’s a LOT ! You can always make this a bit more appetizing by adding sliced lemon, cucumber or even berries . I strongly suggest avoiding additives that contain sugar substitutes.
EATS
Find the healthy eating style that works for YOU and stick with it . Instead of focusing on what we can’t have I’d rather think about what we should add to fuel our body in the best manner . This tricks my brain to think more positively ( plus I think we all know that fast food and processed food is so I’m not going to harp on you ).
Specific foods to add would include healthy fats such as fatty salmon, olive oil, avocado, nuts, and dark chocolate. Also, quality protein, fruits and vegetables.
MOVEMENT
Any movement. Hate running or HIIT? Don’t do it. I hate running. Every couple years I try again and yep, still hate it. I have found that my body loves hiking with girlfriends or my family, walking my dog, lifting dumbbells, body weight exercises, restorative yoga, and dancing. There are hundreds of free workouts on YouTube and Pinterest. Find what our body loves and do those. A sedentary lifestyle does your body no favors. Sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Too much sitting can also be bad for your mental health.
Okay, that’s a lot of information. This week choose one and focus on it. You can add another the following week. Let me know what you choose and how it goes. I’d love to hear from you!!
Xo, R
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