Whether it was no longer getting carded, someone guessing your actual age, after years of people guessing you were way younger, or walking past a mirror and seeing your mother's face looking back at you. Somehow or some way, we noticed our body getting older. Don't get me wrong, getting older is a beautiful blessing, looking older...well...not so much.
Anti-aging is something most people don’t think about until they have already started noticing lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging. But whether you are a woman in your mid 20s or your late 50s, it is never too late (or too soon) to start taking more action with anti-aging habits and routines. This is not about preventing signs of aging, but just having a more natural and organic approach to the aging process, without early signs of aging that could have been prevented.
1. Moisturize your skin
The best habit you can have for anti-aging is taking good care of your skin. This should absolutely be a priority and included as part of your daily self-care routine. If it helps, you can think of it beyond just normal hygiene, and as a type of self-care, something you do because you have compassion for yourself. When it comes to your skin, we aren’t just talking about your face. We're talking about your whole body! I can't count the number of times I skipped putting on moisturizer after a shower because I was tired or just too lazy to do it. I figured, I just got out of the water and used moisturizing body wash, so that should be enough. Then I started to notice the difference in my skin when I used moisturizer and when I didn't.
Now I always apply moisturizer after a shower, as it helps to keep my skin firm and smooth. Be mindful of the way you put on your lotion, oil, or cream, always smooth in an upward and inward motion-from ankle to thigh, from hand to shoulder and from nose to ear. You don't want to cause premature sagging, by pushing your skin down. If you have any chronic skin conditions, see a dermatologist for advice on the best products to use.
2. Make a Habit of Using SPF Every Single Day
In addition to your regular skincare products, you also want to use SPF every day. The sun’s UV rays can do lasting damage to your skin, including causing early signs of age that could have been prevented. This includes increasing your lines and wrinkles, causing dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and causing skin that significantly changes in texture.
One thing to keep in mind about sunscreen is that you need to use it everywhere on your body that could potentially be exposed to the sun. Your face is likely the most susceptible to sun damage, but so is your neck and chest, arms, hands, and feet if you are wearing sandals. You also want to use a lip balm with SPF in it since regular sunscreen may not be suitable for your lips.
3. Add Exercise to Your Daily Routine
Anti-aging isn’t just about your skin! You also want to move your body on a regular basis. Exercise provides so many benefits for you as you age, including helping keep up strength and balance, improving your energy, reducing the effects of obesity, better sleep and improving your cardiovascular health.
You will start to feel so much more energetic and useful when you have a regular exercise routine. This means being physically active every day, or at least several days a week. It doesn’t need to be a strenuous workout either; just going for a walk, doing yoga, or taking a fitness class is more than enough for anti-aging purposes.
My personal favorite fitness Youtuber is https://www.youtube.com/@FitnesswithPJ, she has excellent stretching techniques as well as amazing fitness routines for women over 40.
4. Make Sleep a Priority
Getting quality rest is crucial to keeping younger-looking skin. Make getting ample sleep your top priority no matter what your day-to-day looks like.
With proper sleep, you can reduce inflammation in the body, avoid those puffy eyes in the morning, and reduce stress levels. As you know, stress can lead to early signs of aging as well, so you want to keep it as low as possible.
Remember that even if you are sleeping for 7-8 hours a night, it might not be the best quality sleep. If you constantly wake up tired no matter how long you were in bed, it could be due to constant distractions or not reaching a deep sleep. If you sleep with the TV on or you know your phone goes off multiple times a night, it might be time to adjust some things in your sleeping environment.
When I lived alone, I needed noise to sleep, so I slept with the TV on. After a while I realized my sleep wasn't restful because the noise was affecting my dream state (someone being chased on TV transferred into me being chased in my dreams).
What I did instead was look for sleep music on YouTube, there are thousands of options, but the one I prefer is https://www.youtube.com/@YellowBrickCinema. They have something to fit every taste and they're videos are between 15 minutes and 8 hours long.
5. Apply Eye and Hand Cream Before Bed
One anti-aging habit people often overlook is the importance of cream on both your eyes and hands. Your hands will start showing aging earlier than you might think, though the beginning stages can be subtle. However, if you make a habit of not only using moisturizer every day but applying a high-quality hand cream at night before bed, you can reduce these effects drastically. Remember to gently smooth from your finger nails up to your wrists to help prevent premature sagging.
You also want to use eye cream during your nighttime skincare routine for anti-aging. Eye cream is going to help reduce the lines and wrinkles.
When applying eye cream, use your ring finger as it will be the gentlest on this delicate skin. Never rub cream on your under eyes, instead dab it gently until it is blended in. If you are using eye cream in the morning before applying other products, let it sit for a few minutes before putting other skincare products or makeup over it.
5 Anti-Aging Habits You Need to Start Right Now - Conclusion
In conclusion, incorporating these five anti-aging habits into your daily routine can have a significant impact on slowing down the aging process and promoting overall well-being. Applying hand and eye cream, keeping skin moisturized, exercising regularly, getting adequate sleep, and wearing sunscreen, are all essential for maintaining long-term health and beauty. Taking the time to invest in yourself now will not only benefit you today but also give you the confidence to age gracefully in the future. So, make sure to prioritize self-care and start incorporating these habits into your everyday routine.
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