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Getting older is something that happens to everyone. But to the surprise of many, we have more control over the rate at which we age than we might think.
You might know someone like this in your life. The years are passing, but their bodies don’t seem to reflect the passage of time. They still appear youthful and vital, just as they always did.
Usually, they’re doing something to make this happen. It doesn’t occur by chance. People who look and feel significantly younger than they are often have various strategies they use to keep the years at bay. It’s not just luck of the draw or “genetics,” as many people like to claim. Instead, it often comes down to the things they are doing, day in, day out.
Of course, navigating this minefield of information is challenging for the average person. You don’t always know whose advice to take, or which strategies to follow. Sometimes, you find conflicting information online which doesn’t seem to make sense.
Fortunately, this post is here to help. Here, we share some amazing tips on how to reverse the signs of aging naturally and safely. While you might need to spend a little money here and there, much of what we discuss will be inexpensive, particularly when you compare it to the long-term cost of regular treatment.
So, what can you do to reverse the signs of aging naturally and safely? And how will doing so improve your health? Let’s find out.
Eat A More Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet is something that people believe is essential. And it’s been a part of the lexicon for centuries, even since the time of Aristotle. But what does it actually mean?
The definition of a balanced diet is essentially balancing the nutrients required for healthy function. It means eating a range of whole plant foods and minimizing everything else in the diet. It doesn’t mean you should have a little bit of what you fancy all the time, or dip into every type of food, just because it’s there.
If this concept sounds strange to you, consider the diet of the average person 500 years ago, an instant in evolutionary time. The people who lived back then didn’t have access to any processed foods, so eating a balanced diet to them would have meant something entirely different.
Why is a balanced diet important for anti-aging? Primarily, it is because substances in whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables have powerful nourishing effects on the skin. Phytonutrients in chocolate, green tea, berries, nuts, and spices can also significantly impact complexion and even the age of cells.
Various theories exist for why this is the case. In the early days, researchers thought these foods were protective because they contained vast quantities of antioxidants. Failed studies later suggested the mechanism was something else, perhaps their signaling effect on the body. Certain foods seemed to activate longevity pathways, leading to a more youthful and healthier body.
The best theories are those that combine the two. Healthy diets seem to promote a long life because they activate the body’s internal powerful antioxidants, preventing damage, and making it easier for our cells to deal with oxidative stress.
Whatever the root cause, the underlying mechanism appears to be the food we eat. The healthier it is, the better we will age and feel.
Use Retinoids
Retinoids are one of the most studied categories of topical skin treatments. Many versions date to the 1970s, with science collecting over 50 years of data on them.
Retinoids are forms of vitamin A that have a rejuvenating effect on the skin. Several months of continued usage can reduce fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, and other maladies. People applying them long-term often report having glossier, shinier skin that reflects better in the light.
Two types of retinoids are available to the general public: over-the-counter, and prescription. The over-the-counter products are usually called retinol or retinoid-equivalent and have a mild effect on the skin. Most people notice some anti-aging action after six months or so of continued usage, but it takes a long time.
Prescription versions work faster and may have greater long-term effects. However, these topicals can also cause inflammation and redness in the short term as your skin becomes accustomed to them.
You are likely to see greater benefits with prescription-strength medications from your doctor. However, any type of retinoid is likely to have some beneficial effects on the skin, even if it is mild.
You can combine retinoids with niacinamide and vitamin C for further brightening. If you decide to use a retinoid, always apply a moisturizer afterward to lock hydration into the skin.
Sleep More
When it comes to aging, sleep is a superpower. If you can improve the quality of your shut-eye, you’re much more likely to avoid some of the regular corollaries of aging, such as dark circles, puffiness, dullness, and fine lines on your face. Sleep is effective because it gives your body time to repair. Cells have an opportunity to take a break from their usual activities and dedicate time to maintenance. Old damaged proteins get swept away, and newer, more functional versions take their place.
Sleep also helps regulate hormones, something that can change as you age. When you get enough shut-eye, you’re far less likely to feel hungry the next day and overeat. You’re also more likely to have a healthy metabolism.
If sleep is a problem for you, then there are several ways you can improve it. Avoid distractions such as TV, phone, or computer before bed. That’s essential. You can also practice switching off from the world and giving your body and mind time to wind down after a difficult day. Avoid pushing yourself hard right up until the moment your head hits the pillow. Give yourself at least a couple of hours of relaxation before you plan on sleeping.
Improve Your Hormone Profile
Another way to naturally reverse the signs of aging is to improve your hormone profile. Chemical messengers inside the body can play a significant role in how old people look, and how they carry themselves. We all know this from personal experience, but hormones are driving many of the changes.
That’s why hormone replacement therapy is becoming more popular. People are using it to restore the hormone profile of their youth, thereby improving physical function and helping them reduce symptoms, such as low libido, depression, and poor exercise performance.
Adding hormones back into the body’s biochemical soup can have profound effects, particularly when combined with the other lifestyle-based approaches mentioned above. People are far more likely to feel and look youthful when their body’s biochemistry is rigged in their favor.
Smile More
Smiling is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to look younger and happier. But why? It turns out that smiling releases endorphins, which are hormones that make you feel good and reduce stress. It also powerfully activates the facial muscles, which can sag if they don’t get enough regular exercise.
It’s worth noting that the face has dozens of muscles, and they are all responsible for tiny movements that create facial expressions every day. Smiling (as well as other facial exercises) activates these muscles, improving your facial fat, and reducing the amount of time your face spends in a sedentary manner. Over time, you should find that you look younger, healthier, and more attractive.
Get Out And Exercise
Finally, you should commit to doing significant exercise training every week, preferably several hours. Many experts in the field believe that exercise is the most powerful tool we have to reverse the signs of aging. Likely, it is a combination of factors, but the evidence is strong that being physically fit reduces the risk of decline significantly.
But why is this? Exercise boosts your blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to your skin and other tissues. Extra factors reaching cells provide them with the periodic nutrients they require for repair and maintenance. Cut-off cells, or those in areas of poor circulation, tend to become dysfunctional more rapidly.
Interestingly, exercise stimulates collagen and elastin production, proteins required for keeping the skin firm and elastic. Exercise rebuilds the extracellular matrix from the inside out, delivering proteins to the surface to keep everything firm.
Lastly, exercise reduces stress, one of the leading causes of premature aging. People stressed out by work or their relationships tend to spend more time in flight-or-fight mode, elevating cortisol levels, leading to more gray hairs, wrinkles, and telomere shortening. However, you can reverse many of these symptoms by swimming, running, jogging, and dancing. Aim for around 30 minutes and see how far you get.
So what have we learned in this post? Essentially, we’ve seen that aging is something you can address from multiple angles. It’s not set in stone but rather reflects the various lifestyle and medical choices you make. Some people see dramatic results after only a few months of eating better, exercising, using skincare, and exploiting hormone therapy where medically advised.
