How do you feel when you’re called a liar? Angry? Irritated? Insulted? Understandable. Nobody likes to be called a liar, but there is one case where you just might not mind so much.
Imagine being a 40-year-old mother of two and being carded at a new restaurant when you order a drink? You’re smiling now, aren’t you?
In this article, I’m going to reveal 6 natural secrets to aging gracefully, looking younger, and feeling your best!
- Stop Eating Sugar
I know. I know. Giving up sugar can be a bummer, but it’s totally worth it for your skin and health! When you eat processed sugar, it can weaken your skin’s collagen, which can lead to the development of more fine lines and wrinkles earlier in life.
According to a study published by scientists from the Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands and Unilever in the UK, there appears to be a direct connection between the amount of sugar circulating in the blood and how old a person looks.
During the study, the blood sugar levels of 600 men and women between the ages of 50 and 70 were measured. Photographs of these same individuals were shown to a board of 60 independent assessors, and it was found that those with higher blood sugar looked older than those with lower blood sugar.
In fact, for every 1mm/liter increase in blood sugar, the perceived age of the individuals increased by five months!
- Try Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is an absolute marvel for its anti-aging properties and can be used both internally and externally.
Taken internally, the medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) contained within coconut oil (caprylic acid, lauric acid, capric acid) can help protect your brain and heart health as well as reduce arthritic inflammation. It also helps improve your energy levels!
When used on the skin, coconut oil acts as a powerful but gentle antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory agent. It also provides soothing moisture, strengthens your connective tissues, and helps exfoliate the outer layer of your skin.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, coconut oil has been shown to increase new blood vessel formation, encourage cellular growth and multiplication, increase collagen synthesis, and encourage the turnover of collagen in wounds.
Moreover, coconut oil has been shown to reduce inflammation caused by UVB radiation exposure. Although it cannot be used as a proper substitute for organic sunscreen, it can help reduce your likelihood of developing fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots as a result of a little extra time spent in the sun!
- Get Regular Exercise
Exercise is essential for building bone mass, keeping muscles strong, and preventing age-related health problems such as heart disease, high cholesterol, and dementia.
When you’re active, your heart rate increases so that more oxygen can be circulated throughout your body. This increase in blood circulation also extends to your brain, which helps release serotonin, a neurotransmitter known for its role in fighting depression.
According to studies published by the Mayo Clinic, regular exercise also significantly reduces the risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Moreover, exercises such as walking, swimming, hiking, yoga, and strength training can help prevent the development of osteoporosis.
- Get Your Beauty Sleep
Burning the candle at both ends may make you feel like a hero when you’re younger, but it can really take a toll on your health as you age.
If you want to age gracefully, make sleep a priority. Recent research has shown a link between inadequate sleep and skin aging. Researchers discovered that those who did not sleep well had reduced skin elasticity, uneven pigmentation, and more fine lines.
Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Naps may be a powerful natural anti-aging tool, as well!
Scientists at the National Sleep Foundation say, “Naps are a must-try modern-day solution to our perpetual sleep shortage and offer a great energy-rejuvenation break.” They went on to say, “Our cells grow and repair while we sleep and our immune system is strengthened by sleep which helps slow the aging process.”
- Find Your Purpose
It might sound a bit oversimplified, but finding your purpose in life can be a wonderful natural secret to aging gracefully. Research has shown that individuals who lived what they believed to be purposeful lives lived longer than their counterparts during a 14-year assessment period.
According to the Association for Psychological Science:
“Greater purpose in life consistently predicted lower mortality risk across the lifespan, showing the same benefit for younger, middle-aged, and older participants across the follow-up period.”
- Eat More Fruits and Vegetables for a “Sun-Kissed” Glow
Another natural and healthy way of looking and feeling younger is to eat lots of organic fruits and vegetables.
The carotenoids in foods such as carrots and tomatoes are not only important for your immune and reproductive systems, they also help soak up damaging compounds called free radicals, which are produced by the stresses and strains of everyday life. This is especially true when the body is fighting a disease.
From Science Daily:
“We found that, given the choice between skin colour caused by suntan and skin colour caused by carotenoids, people preferred the carotenoid skin colour, so if you want a healthier and more attractive skin colour, you are better off eating a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables than lying in the sun.”
So, there you have it! 6 natural secrets to a healthier, happier, more youthful you!
~ Health Scams Exposed
