The last time you looked in the mirror what did you see? We hope you saw a beautiful person who’s learned many things over the years, has made lasting memories and is ready to enjoy their golden years. We all want to look our best and as much as we try to escape it, aging is a natural part of life. But aging doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom — it’s all about perspective.
Looking and feeling your best starts with your state of mind and healthy lifestyle choices. If you want to age gracefully, get back your inner spunk, and look and feel the best you can, then check out these 10 secret health and beauty tips that all seniors should know!
Exercise Regularly
While exercising may not be a secret tip per se it is very important if you want to age gracefully. As we age we naturally lose muscle and exercising regularly will help you maintain and build the muscles you need to keep your independence! Exercising will also help maintain/improve joint health, bone health, and flexibility.
Further, exercising also releases endorphins which are feel-good hormones that make us feel happy, relaxed, and more energized! It’s recommended that seniors get about 150 minutes of exercise per week. You can break that up into five 30-minute workouts throughout the week. If you don’t know how to get started then step up to these easy exercises for seniors!
Maintain a Positive Mindset
Maintaining a positive mindset can do a lot more for your health than you may think. According to a study from Yale University, people who had a more positive self-perception of aging lived 7.5 years longer than those with a negative approach.
Some great ways to stay positive is to embrace getting older and accept your changing body. Your personality and physical characteristics are what make you beautiful and unique. Make sure you’re spending your time doing things you love and spending it with people you love. You also need to take care of your mental health and don’t be afraid to reach out for help.
Wear Sunscreen
Focusing on keeping your inner body healthy is important but taking care of what is on the outside is important too. After all, the skin is the human body’s largest organ! Wearing sunscreen is so important for everyone because the sun emits harmful ultraviolet rays. Too much UV exposure can cause wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots and can put you at a higher risk for developing skin cancer.
That’s not all, harmful UV rays can also harm your eyes too. In addition to damaging your cornea, UV rays can cause the formation of cataracts and pterygium (tissue growth on the surface of the eye) — both of these can cause impaired vision. You can apply sunscreen daily or even better, look for daily moisturizers that contain SPF with at least an SPF of 30. This way you’ll be moisturizing and protecting your skin simultaneously. Just remember to apply sun protection to all areas of exposed skin such as your hands and arms — not just your face!
Retinoid for Wrinkles
Have you heard of retinoids? There are different types of retinoids, but the most common ones found in over-the-counter skin-care products are retinol. Tretinoin is a stronger retinoid that is available by prescription. Retinoid is a buzzword in the beauty industry but for good reason. Many dermatologists will recommend retinoids because of their anti-aging effects. It can increase the production of collagen which plays an important role in keeping your skin hydrated and improving its elasticity and strength.
Furthermore, retinoids are great for minimizing the appearance of wrinkles, lightening brown spots caused by skin damage, and help to keep your skin firm. The next time you’re out searching for skincare you may want to be on the lookout for products that contain this amazing ingredient! Check out these anti-aging moisturizers for senior women.
Don’t Skip Out On Dental Checkups
Your smile is one of the first things people will notice about you. To have a confident smile you’ll need to take care of your oral health. Over time it’s natural for our teeth to discolor thanks to coffee, tea, and wine but regular dental checkups can help keep your teeth looking sparkly white!
Aside from aesthetic reasons taking care of your teeth is very important for your overall health too. Taking care of your mouth will help prevent bad breath, tooth decay, gum disease and will help prevent the need for dentures. So be sure to brush and floss regularly and don’t skip out on your regular dental checkups.
Eat a Healthy Diet
You know what they say, “you are what you eat!” There is a reason so many people say this and it’s because diet plays a big role in not just your appearance, but your mood and your overall health. A diet that is rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and low sugar will keep you feeling energized and youthful. You’ll also be providing your body with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and maintain a healthy weight. All of this plays a role in warding off chronic health conditions.
In contrast, if you fuel your body with processed, fried, and fatty foods you’ll be left feeling sluggish and they may even cause accelerated aging. This is because these types of foods can negatively affect your skin and teeth and can cause inflammation in the body. Try your best to search for healthier alternatives to your favorite unhealthy snacks and consider adding more of these everyday foods all seniors should be eating!
Stay Hydrated
You’ve surely been told to stay hydrated and drink more water but do you know why that is so important? Drinking enough water every day is vital for many reasons like regulating your body temperature, keeping your joints lubricated, preventing infections, and keeping your organs working properly.
That’s not all, staying hydrated will help improve your sleep, help you feel energized, and will improve your mood. Water will also help nourish your skin by flushing out toxins, reducing puffiness, increasing elasticity, and helps to keep your skin clear of blemishes. All these factors play a role in making you feel youthful. Some experts recommend that women get about 11 cups of water per day while men should be consuming about 16 cups.
Try a New Style
As we age it’s easy to get set in our ways. It can be hard trying a new hair or clothing style when we’ve grown comfortable with our familiar look. However, you may be amazed at how you feel after you try a new style.
Trying a new style can be as easy as getting a new haircut, adding a bit of color to your hair, embracing your greying hair, or trying a new clothing style. When you feel beautiful in your skin you’ll feel more confident which will help you have a better outlook on life. If you’re not sure where to start don’t be afraid to ask for a professional opinion when you’re shopping and at the hair salon.
Apply Skincare Outward and Upward
Earlier we talked about what type of skincare to look for but the next beauty secret is something you may not have thought of before. The way you apply your skincare is just as important as what ingredients are in them. A general rule of thumb is to blend creams in soft sweeping movements. Be sure to start from the center of your face and then outward.
Don’t forget to take care of the skin on your neck! To help prevent sagging skin, start at the base of your neck and move in upward motions towards the jawline. Further, when applying serums you’ll want to pat the product into the skin with your fingertips and allow the product to absorb on its own. Eye cream should be applied with your fingertips with soft patting motions starting from the inner eye and outward. All of these tips and tricks will help you make the most of your skincare routine!
Get a Good Night’s Rest Every Night
It’s no secret that you need adequate sleep to be able to function but do you know how important sleep actually is? Sleep plays an important role in how we look, feel, and overall health. For starters, when you sleep your body boosts blood flow to the skin which helps with the appearance of a healthy glow. Not getting enough sleep can cause your skin to look dull.
Sleep also promotes the production of collagen which helps prevent wrinkles and fine lines. Looking deeper, proper sleep also plays a role in physical health. Sleep deprivation can put you at a greater risk for heart disease, kidney disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and stroke. Sleep also plays a role in your mood, mental health, and immune function. With this in mind, be sure you get a good night’s rest every night. You may want to check out these sleeping tips for seniors!