Beauty & Health: Aging Well

You may have reached 50, but you still have lots of time to enjoy all life has to offer. By staying healthy, youthful and confident, you can make all your time quality time.

Age-related complaints such as heart trouble, strokes, diabetes, osteoporosis or even can trouble you golden years. You can nevertheless look forward to optimal health in your later years with the right effort. The earlier you start the better.

Begin by examining whether you have the right nutritional balance

Proper nutrition at any stage in life keeps you healthy and reduces visible signs of aging. You confidence improves when you look good. Eat three to four small meals a day. Your metabolism slows down once you’re older and you may not need the same quantity of food, but their nutrients are vital for good health.

Eat more fruit and vegetables, preferably at least five portions a day. Natural, raw foods contain healthy ingredients such as vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They help protect against heart disease, cancer diabetes and strokes. They are good for skin too, because they promote elastin and collagen production in your body.

Drink alcohol in moderation

A little is good for you and keeps your heart healthy but too much stresses the liver, dehydrates you and robs your complexion of moisture.

Stay hydrated

Your body loses about three quarts of water daily. Drink plenty of water and fresh juice. Limit carbonated drinks, coffee, and tea. Try herbal teas – they contain antioxidants and can hydrate the body.

Don’t smoke

Aside from all the other well-documented dangers, smoking leads to cell degeneration, tissue damage and wrinkles. It also causes a lack of oxygen in the blood, which leads to grey complexions.

Sleep

This is when you body, muscles and tissues relax and repair, especially between 1 a.m and 3 a.m. Fatigue makes your facial muscles contract, giving you a sallow and puffy look.

Be sensible in the sun

Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and always wear some protection. You need sunlight to produce vitamin D but too much will dry out your thin skin, increase thin lines and wrinkles, and in the worst cases, cause skin cancer.

Keep fit

Try to exercise for at least 20 minutes three times a week. Workouts keep you weight down, strengthen the bones and muscles, protect the heart, improve blood circulation and deliver those essential nutrients around you body.

Practice relaxation techniques

Stress and anxiety wreck havoc on your digestion and eating habits. It also affects the blood system and cell regeneration.

See your doctor regularly

Make an appointment at least once a year for a full body checkup to make sure everything is in working order. That check should include an electrocardiogram, or ECG, to check the rate and regularity of your heart beat. Visit the doctor more frequently if you have a specific health issue.

Don’t forget the importance of a youthful spirit

Remaining young at heart doesn’t always come easy, especially when your children have become independent and moved out. Read to keep that brain alive; if your career is still going strong, even better. Get out and meet other people with different viewpoints. Above all, stay positive and let your yourthful spirit shine!