So I know most women do not like to talk about this but I think we really need to more often. Especially young women like myself who are more than able to take preventative steps when it comes to aging and prolonging life. I don't know about you but I am definitely trying to stick around for a while. I haven’t made the healthiest choices for many of my 24 years but now I am definitely committed to a healthy lifestyle for the long term. My biggest motivator is that I do not want to have health problems prematurely. I see people not much older than myself with heart problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, and other issues they absolutely should NOT be having. Health is something that is irreversible. What you do to your body today may not affect you immediately but over time, it will turn up eventually.
But the other aspect besides living longer is feeling and looking better. As we age, our metabolism slows down and it is harder to lose weight or correct problems, even cosmetic things such as wrinkles, varicose veins and cellulite. In addition, it’s also harder to make lifestyle changes the older you get because you are already set in your ways. Making changes towards a healthy lifestyle now can help you feel good inside and outside for the long term. Taking care of yourself often falls behind on your list of priorities but truly it should be number one.
Here are some of my tips based on countless discussions with health experts, personal trainers and peers:
1) H20
You would think something as simple as drinking water would be common sense for most, but many are still not getting nearly enough hydration. I cannot stress enough how critical this is to weight maintenance, healthy skin and overall health. In fact, the only thing you should be drinking is water, for the most part. I give myself the exception of a small glass of orange juice in the morning and some green tea, but other than that, I only drink tons of water. It has made a huge difference. Clear skin and supressing my appetite are my favorite benefits, personally. It also just makes me feel cleansed and pure. Adding lemon to your water is a way to include vitamin C and and a little flavor as well.
2) Exercise
I saw a funny little joke the other day where a doctor is asking his patient, “What fits better into your busy schedule? An hour of exercise a day or being dead 24 hours a day?” Sounds dramatic but it’s true. Physical activity is the best way to improve your health in every way possible and extend your life. The benefits are endless and it also helps with aging. Some of the most fit people at my gym (including trainers) are in their 40’s yet look amazingly young and put many of us in our 20’s to shame with the intensity of their workouts. They all indicate their secret was to be active their entire lives. It’s helped them look and feel younger in their 30’s and 40’s. They have made physical activity a regular part of their routines and lifestyles. This should be a top priority regardless of how busy you are. Think of it this way: you spend 8 hours at work, countless hours a week helping others or spending time with friends, family, etc. Why can’t you devote an hour a day to yourself and your health? It definitely helps with energy and stress reduction as well. NO excuses. Even if you miss a day, pick back up the next day.
3) Diet
I am not even going to divulge much into this because it’s self-explanatory. We all know what a healthy diet consists of and we must aim to eat healthy each and every day, as hard as it is. Believe me I love food more than anyone. However I try to eat very healthy on the weekdays so I can indulge a little on the weekends. Eating 6 small meals helps a lot so you're not hungry and also helps your metabolism. I also try to write down every thing I eat and monitor my fat, sodium, sugar, and calorie intake. I find that when you’re conscious of what you put into your body, you make better decisions. After all "you are what you eat" couldn't be any more true. Eating a healthy balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein not only helps you maintain a decent weight and supports a healthy heart, but it also will help you feel better altogether for years to come. Be sure to try to eat lots of foods that are rich with antioxidants if anti-aging and cancer prevention are priorities for you.
4) Vitamins
Most of us do not get the essential vitamins and minerals that we need from our diet so taking a supplement is very helpful. I recommend visiting a health store and talking to a professional who can recommend a good multivitamin for you at the bare minimum. I try to stick to this “Hair, Skin and Nails” program from GNC that is loaded with biotin and Vitamins E for anti-aging. But make sure to research vitamins and determine what your specific needs are. Women need more calcium and vitamin B-12. Some may need more iron or vitamin C. Many also recommend taking Omega 3 fish oil. Each person should be taking something regardless. You will feel better overall and also have more energy.
5) Smoking, alcohol and coffee
All bad habits. Okay I admit, I used to smoke. These days it’s viewed as incredibly unattractive, and rightfully so. You are not only killing yourself (literally) but you smell horrible and waste your own money and time. Lose-lose situation. When it comes to alcohol, we all like to drink here and there, especially when celebrating, and that’s fine. In moderation. You don’t want to overdo it or make it a regular habit. Having a few drinks socially on the weekends is okay but drinking specifically to get wasted is not cute over the age of 23. It also ages you a lot. Now coffee is another guilty pleasure of many Americans. It not only stains your teeth but it causes you to become terribly addicted to caffeine. I have seen people lose their minds because they didn’t get their morning cup of joe. I admit to sometimes having a cup here or there if I desperately need a pick-me-up but I try to stay away from it. Instead have some tea (especially green tea) and sweeten it with honey.
6) Sleep
As I’ve gotten older, I have realized the importance of something as simple as sleep. I used to run on E all the time. I worked full-time, went to school-full time and had many late nights partying it up with my friends. It definitely took a toll on me. Not only do your burn yourself out and weaken your immune system, but you are not giving your body proper time to rest and repair itself each night. I noticed when I didn't sleep at least 7 hours each night, I was constantly getting sick and didn't feel 100%. Our bodies are miraculous and amazing. Each cell is working for you to function each day and also fight off illnesses. Getting 8 hours of sleep is critical and affects everything you do. You may not realize it but it even affects your ability to lose weight and impacts your moods. As you age, the wear and tear you’ve put on your body becomes more evident. So always make sure to take the time to get a good night’s rest.
7) Anti-aging creams and skincare regimens
This has become a tremendous industry worldwide as women (and men too!) are more concerned about preventing aging than ever before. I personally feel that a good time to begin applying night creams is in your 20’s so you can prevent wrinkles as long as possible. I also place emphasis on washing your face every night before bed so your skin can breathe and repair while you sleep. Going to bed with makeup on is a huge no-no. No matter how tired I am, I always wipe off my makeup and wash my face thoroughly before bed. I also try to apply eye cream and floss my teeth each night as well and apply facial masks once or twice a week. Exfoliating and moisturizing are essential as well. All of this has made a huge difference with breakouts and my skin looking healthier and more radiant. Because I am out in the sun a lot (another big no-no but I simply cannot give it up) I have to take extra measures when it comes to taking care of my skin. In addition, an old Colombian lady (who had the most beautiful skin I have ever laid eyes on) once told me that each night she massaged her face and neck with cream before bed to stimulate her skin cells, which is brilliant to me. There are a plethora of anti-aging and skincare products to choose from but I do recommend seeing a dermatologist at least once to evaluate your skin and your unique needs. Going to a place like Sephora is great as well so you can talk to someone and get recommendations based on your skin type.
8) Green tea
I have mentioned this a few times so far, for a good reason. I am big on Eastern philosophy and holistic healing these days, so any time I can use natural remedies, I am a fan. Green tea has been proven with numerous studies to be amazing for your health, especially your skin. Supposedly it is packed with antioxidants that help with anti-aging because it is the least processed and most nutrient rich tea available. It is also said to prevent cancer, aid with weight loss by boosting metabolism, protect from sun damage, lower blood pressure, and countless other benefits. Not to mention, it’s delicious. A better question would be why NOT drink green tea?!
9) Meditation
People often forget that your body is not the only thing that ages. Your mind does too. After witnessing my grandma lose her battle with Alzheimer’s disease in 2010, I vowed to make effort to keep my mind active to avoid this for myself if at all possible. I love to read and do puzzles, so that is helpful. However another way is through meditation. You do not have to be a certain religion to meditate, in fact you do not have to be religious at all. Each person’s experience is unique to their own effort but we all reap the benefits regardless. Taking time to sit down in a quiet space, drowning out your busy thoughts and focusing on mediating is not only peaceful and relaxing, but it’s good for you overall. It is my theory that meditation drastically improves your health and extends your life. Oprah recently did an entire show on this and countless celebrities swear by it. I confess that I do not meditate nearly as much as I should but I am trying to improve this in addition to doing more yoga. These simple things can make such a difference long term. I cannot help but notice how healthy many people in Asian countries are and how much longer they live. When my dad went to China, he said the most remarkable thing for him was seeing 90 year old men as active as he was. I definitely think their Hindu and Buddhist beliefs in the East have a lot to do with their better health. It is definitely worth some consideration, no?
10) Minimizing stress
This may seem like another no-brainer but let’s face it, people are way too stressed these days. A personal observation of mine among people I know is that those who tend to stress less and live their lives more easy-going seem to age better and have good health in general. Those who are constantly worrying and stressing over little things tend to look and feel older than they are. All that stress starts to show on your face (frowning lines are no joke) and definitely impacts your body negatively over time. It helps me a lot and I feel so much better after I'm done writing, plus I love to write (can you tell?). Taking time to laugh often, socialize, pursue hobbies, relax, vacation, and just generally be happy and enjoy life is probably the best thing you can do for yourself and by far the best advice on this list. People around the world who live simple lifestyles may not have the most in life but sometimes are among the happiest on earth. Appreciate the little things and show gratitude in all you do. It will go a long way. The best thing for me personally is to keep a journal where I can vent about everything, pray and reflect.
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