Staying young these days doesn’t come cheap. From anti-aging products that cost as much as a car payment to anti-aging spa treatments that you have to finance, it seems that maintaining youth is only for the rich and famous. There are some affordable treatments out there, but in a slow economy, even those can seem unattainable. Most of us see the valuable benefits these procedures have to offer and would never want to give them up completely, but sometimes our pocket books make decisions for us that we just don’t like. So how do we combat aging when money is tight?
First and foremost, we shop for discounts! Med spas around the country recognize the slowing economy and are offering extreme price cuts on their products and procedures right now. In some cases, a microdermabrasion can cost as little as your next pedicure! So before you give up hope on ever getting another spa treatment, surf the web for a med spa near you and check out what specials they are offering.
Second, we turn to our own homes for products and methods of anti-aging. Listed below are some very valuable, yet inexpensive things you can do to keep yourself looking young with very little money out of pocket.
1) Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Don’t underestimate the benefits water gives to your skin. Dry skin makes you older, and the best way to combat dry skin is by hydrating from within. In addition, drinking an adequate amount of water restores shine and elasticity to skin, and fights acne. Health professionals advise adults to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day.
2) Don’t forget your vitamins and supplements! A daily multivitamin can support overall skin health, wellness, cardiovascular, and bone health. Another one you should add to your daily vitamin intake is CoQ10. CoQ10 is a powerful anti-oxidant that is needed for energy production to allow vital organs to function properly. CoQ10 also provides protection from free radicals, which in turn helps to slow the aging process. Essential fatty acids, such as fish oil and flax seed, help to maintain health at the cellular level, thus, slowing the aging process.
3) Eat Healthy! Foods with plenty of antioxidants play an important role in promoting collagen production, which is crucial for healthy, youthful skin. Some yummy foods that provide plenty of these antioxidants are dark chocolate, berries, and nuts. Dark, leafy greens are also high in antioxidants and combat damage from free radicals before it happens. Protein is also essential to maintaining overall health and youth, by promoting muscle development and increasing the body’s supply of collagen and elastin. Eat plenty of chicken, fish, almonds, and eggs for a diet high in protein.
4) Don’t skimp on sunscreen! Prevention is the best weapon in the fight against anti-aging. UVB rays from the sun damage skin cells, and slow production of Hyaluron, a major skin component necessary to aid tissue repair. Choose a moisturizer or foundation with an spf of at least 15 to help fight the sun’s harmful rays.
5) Exfoliate! Exfoliating eliminates dead skin cells, leaving skin softer, smoother, and more luminous. In addition, it helps to promote the production of new skin cells. Choose a cleanser with a mild grain for daily exfoliation, or select a deeper exfoliation product to remove that top layer of skin twice a week. Go to your local drug store for a great exfoliation product that won’t infringe on your budget.
6) Moisturize. We already talked about hydrating from within, but wearing moisturizer every day will keep your outside layer of skin healthy and soft.
7) Exercise is powerful! Cardio keeps your hearth young and healthy, and gives you youthful energy. But aerobic exercise is not the only thing we need to stay young. Strength training is crucial because it increases muscle tone, and improves balance and posture. Strength training also decreases the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
8) Finally, get plenty of sleep. Sleep is your body’s opportunity to rebuild, repair, and re-energize. Millions of cells at our skin’s surface die off each day due to environmental influences, dry skin, and sun damage. An adequate amount of sleep (about 8 hours) is the only regenerator than can truly undo the effects of the day. Without enough sleep, our skin is unable to rebuild dead and dying cells, and that is when aging occurs. Don’t forget the power of snoozing when it comes to anti-aging!
Med spa treatments are very valuable, so keep shopping for those discounts, but while you do, don’t forget to hydrate, eat healthy, prevent sun damage, exfoliate and moisturize, and get plenty of exercise and sleep. Keep these rules as part of your daily routine will create a fountain of youth right in your very own home.
Rebecca Park-Stinson- View tips for looking younger here [http://www.azbeauty.org/id181.html].
