3 Simple Anti-aging Tips That Don’t Include Food or Working Out

I’ve heard my beautiful, feisty, almost-90-year-old grandmother say, many times, “Getting old is better than the alternative.” Have you heard that one? Sure, maturity has its benefits, but it absolutely requires more maintenance. Staying healthy and vibrant through the years necessitates intention and time. With intention and time, you will get older, yes, but you don’t have to *look* or *feel* older. You’ll look and feel your best!

To me, that is anti-aging: to look and feel your best at any age. To understand anti-aging, first consider a few notes on the biology of aging. In general, as you age, your physical body trades in desirable traits for less desirable ones. I’m sorry - it’s true! Your skin shrinks and develops wrinkles. You lose muscle and gain body fat. Bone weakens and hair thins.

To be sure, aging is beautiful. I agree with my grandma; it beats the alternative! I am PRO-aging even though I’m going to offer you some anti-aging tips. Age away! But age gracefully. Here are three action steps that can help.

1. Hydrate

   Water is incredibly important to your body; so, drinking water is a must! The classic recommendation is to drink eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day. But we now know that’s not enough. We probably need between two-and-a-half and three-and-a-half times as much! (Imagine a 2 liter bottle. Now imagine drinking one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half of those bottles full of water … each day.) Americans are chronically dehydrated!

   You are what you drink! In fact, by weight, your body is approximately 60% water. 60%! But, of course, there are variances. The percentage is affected by climate and physical activity. It’s also affected by gender. For example, men have more total body water than women. Age is also a factor! Specifically, children have more total body water than adults. This is partially because, as you age, we lose some muscle, which is loaded with water. Your skin also loses water content as you age.

   Your blood is mostly water. So, are your muscles! Water also gives your skin fullness and elasticity. You need water to have a youthful glow! I suggest that you always carry a one liter stainless steel bottle with you. Start your day by drinking from that bottle - even before breakfast! You can drink while you’re getting ready, while you commute and all throughout your day. Your ideal goal is to drink that entire bottle - twice.

2. Clean and moisturize your skin

   Your skin is your largest organ. And it’s the biggest billboard that advertises your health. It’s primarily made of collagen. In youth, collagen makes up 70% of your skin! Have you ever seen an infant scratch his or her face and just want to cry when you think of it scarring? Well, have you noticed that the scratch heals perfectly in the blink of an eye? Thank you, collagen! So, of course, you lose collagen as you age. Then, skin loosens and wrinkles. As I mentioned above, your skin also dehydrates as you age.

   Good skin care doesn’t require high-priced products and procedures. [Disclaimer: I fully support products and procedures!] Good skin care does require time and consistency. Caring for your skin preserves its integrity - especially the collagen. So, your skin will look more firm and smooth. Healthy skin really does glow!

   First, clean your skin religiously. For your face, clean your skin morning and night. Water is most important to remove dirt from your skin. Adding gentle cleansers (oil-based cleansers will work best for most) to your skin will more effectively lift the dirt off your skin and out of your pores. Always gently wipe away cleansers with a warm, wet cloth. You likely don’t need harsh or complex cleansers. This routine will clean AND moisturize your skin. 

   Next, you need to lock in that moisture. So, you should apply a moisturizer. Again, keep it simple! And do this morning and night too! When shopping for a moisturizer, look for one that is non-comedogenic. That just means it won’t clog your pores or set you up for a break-out. Moisturizers with hyaluronic acid are great because they're super-hydrating. Again, they will work well for most skin types. And these moisturizers can be found in any pharmacy. Lastly, this moisturizer should contain at least SPF 15 to protect your skin from damaging UV rays. And yes! Even on cloudy, foggy, or cold days.

   Apply the same facts and tips above from head to toe! The neck is often ignored and your neck is almost always visible! But show some love to your covered-up body parts too: bellies, arms and legs.

3. Sleep

When it comes to sleep, you should consider quantity AND quality. Dozens of studies over decades have suggested getting AT LEAST 7 hours of sleep each night. If you’ve been conditioned to wear sleeplessness like a badge of honor, you’re not alone. Click here to read some of my thoughts about giving sleep its rightful place in your health journey. But interrupted, uncomfortable sleep won’t do. You need to get your most restorative, high-quality sleep. For a 5-step road map to the best sleep of your life, click here!

Sleep is a must-have because it repairs and restores your body. Specifically, sleeping well optimizes your metabolism … and your fitness. While you sleep, your hormones are busy at work. One of those hormones is called human growth hormone or HGH. HGH is notorious as a performance-enhancing drug. But, HGH is a totally natural protein that your body produces. It helps burn fat! It also builds, maintains and repairs muscle. Its levels are highest in kids and decrease with age. That’s why it’s also called “the youth hormone.”

You know how small children can run circles around you for 12 straight hours? Aren’t you shocked and appalled by their ridiculous amount of energy? Well, small children should sleep 10 to 12 hours each night. They also have the highest levels of HGH. Is that a coincidence? Nope! In short, HGH is maximized while you sleep. And your body’s ability to produce HGH is reduced dramatically at about 20 years old. So, if you (1) deprive yourself of sleep AND you (2) age (and you do!), your levels of HGH are seriously low. And the lower your HGH is, the more you age (lose muscle and store fat).

Yes, beauty sleep is real! Sleep deprivation has been shown to increase fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes. And, when asked, we associate a well-rested look with youth and beauty.

 Are you ready to give these tips a try? 

Hydrate. Take care of your skin. And sleep well! An ageless appearance awaits you!