Looking for the fountain of youth? Want to turn back the hands of time? Here are 4 ways to stay young while minimizing stress, smoothing skin and increasing overall brain function.
#1 Take a Break
Studies have shown that stress can cause physical changes in the body and push aging to occur more rapidly. Stress causes high blood pressure and increases the heart rate. Job anxiety, money problems, doctor visits and even traffic jams can take a heavy toll on our physical and mental health. One of the most effective ways to help relieve stress is to simply meditate.
Give it a try! Sit in a quiet place for about 10-15 minutes, close your eyes, relax your muscles, and take a deep breath. Think of a mantra-a word, sound or phrase and repeat it on each exhale. If other thoughts come in to play, do your best to return to your word or phrase. When done, continue relaxing for another minute and slowly allow your thoughts to flow back. If you’re not in to meditation, try yoga or something active and repetitive instead.
#2 Eat a Superfruit
The health buzz on pomegranates keep getting stronger. Did you know that pomegranate juice can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure? In addition, researchers believe that this superfruit can potentially help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, protect the skin from sun damage and prevent some forms of cancer from starting.
Another popular anti-aging superfruit is the goji berry, a Tibetan fruit that has more vitamin C than an orange and offers an abundant source of carotenoids, a type of antioxidant. The berry releases a human growth hormone that improves the quality of sleep. As you may know, sleep can help with anti-aging, improve memory, boost libido and enhance our immune system. According to Dr. Payam Kerendian, medical director at Delight Medical & Wellness Center, “Anti-aging does not prevent the person from aging. What it does prevent or help optimize is keep your body from deteriorating with the effects of aging. Hormonal decline as we age is one of the main reasons why we have the symptoms that come up as we age.”
#3 Get up and Exercise
Exercising can help boost your mood, tone muscles and build healthier bones. These are all things that contribute to a more youthful appearance. When you work out, it slows down the aging process on a cellular level. Studies have shown a connection between exercising and stronger brain functionality. Physical conditioning can help reduce stress and anxiety, which interfere with memory. When it comes to appearance, working out can help maintain youthful skin and if done regularly can reverse some skin aging.
So what are you waiting for? Get off the couch and get moving!
#4 Cosmetic Procedures
When you have made simple lifestyle adjustments to help with anti-aging, but they prove fruitless, it may be time to consider cosmetic procedures, both surgical and minimally invasive. Below are a few of the most popular:
Botox – This is one of the most well-known cosmetic procedures on the market. Botox injections help remove wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing the underlying muscles until lines in the face slowly disappear. The procedure is quick and effective and ideally should be administered at minimum 3 times a year.
Dermal Fillers – Looking for a quick anti-aging fix during your lunch hour? Consider a dermal/injectable treatment. Dermal fillers are relatively long-lasting and produce immediate results. These fillers are used under the surface of the skin to help smooth wrinkle areas such as laugh lines, frown lines and lips. Some of the most popular injectable fillers include Juvederm, Restylane and Perlane.
Facelift – If Botox or Dermal Fillers aren’t cutting it, surgical procedures such as a facelift, browlift or eyelift may be the best option. When considering a facelift, it is very important to get sound medical advice from a surgeon that specializes in facial procedures, such as Dr. Cory Yeh of Yeh Facial Plastic Surgery. Unlike Botox or dermal fillers, facial surgery is considered more of a permanent solution. As we age, muscles in our face become looser and sag. A facelift can help tighten the skin that can lead to a more healthy, natural looking face.
