The saying goes that you can't turn back the hands of time, but you can slow them down by essentially taking a step back to evaluate how well you apply the best anti aging secrets around.
The Best Anti Aging Secrets are really no secret at all.
In fact, when you start to review this list you will find yourself nodding your head in agreement.
But, though many of these secrets are as old as mother nature and common sense, you may not have taken them seriously yet.
In fact, most people are well aware of the harmful effects which can result from ignoring these anti aging secrets, but refuse to adopt them into a healthy lifestyle.
Why? Well, when was the last time you saw a kid choose safety over adventure, or celery over ice cream? We have been conditioned in our culture to accept as "harmless" the diet and activities which are part of the American lifestyle.
"A little bit won't hurt" attitude can quickly pile up to a heap of harm.
So, let's take a quick look at the first 4 of the Best Anti Aging Secrets and you'll see what I mean.
1.
Do not smoke...
anything, period.
Tobacco products are laced with poisonous additives and chemicals to keep them burning.
If you are concerned about aging, smoking damages your lungs, reducing their ability to provide life-giving oxygen to the blood which feeds and nourishes every cell of your body, including your facial skin.
Dryness and wrinkles are exaggerated from the pursing of lips and squinting of eyes.
Come on now.
You knew that! Please, get help to quit now.
2.
Limit sun exposure.
Don't fry your skin for the sake of a tan.
The news is full of the growing number of cases of skin cancer.
The wife of former Pittsburgh Steelers Coach Bill Cowher, just lost her battle with the disease, melanoma.
Kaye Cowher was only 54.
People can develop melanoma even without overexposure to the sun.
But, frankly, why go looking for trouble? Like smoking, there is no positive result from tanning.
A tan is actually a response of the body to protect your DNA from destruction by UV light.
The concentration of UV light rays on your skin triggers the production of melanin, the hormone that quickly spreads out over the skin, effectively creating a tent, or a cover, to protect the DNA in the cells underneath.
Tanning beds have been suspected of causing the same destructive effects on skin.
Always wear sunscreen outdoors for protection.
Women, you can find facial moisturizers and foundation makeup with sunscreen in the formula.
An easy and valuable bonus! But, even if you don't get skin cancer, dryness, wrinkling and spots will most definitely be the result.
That is not the way to slow down the aging process.
A temporary tan isn't worth the risk or the damage.
However, you should still get out and walk or garden to get your dose of Vitamin D, but wear your sunscreen and your hat! 3.
Get a good night's sleep.
Did you know that not getting enough sleep has been linked to weight gain, diabetes, high blood pressure, not to mention looking tired, with saggy eyes and dark circles, headaches, lack of energy and general grumpiness? Amazing.
So, if you are going to bed late and getting up early because your to-do list is too long, it is time to rethink that approach.
You might just be speeding up the hands of time by skipping your sleep.
7 to 8 hours is recommended for optimum health.
Your body needs time to shut down and rest and repair.
4.
Avoid stress.
Are you kidding? Impossible! Well, probably.
But, you can takes steps to manage it.
Stress often robs us of that all important sleep.
It causes the continual release of hormones that contribute to weight gain and coronary artery disease.
Next comes high blood pressure and stroke or heart attack.
How do we manage it? How do we prioritize our health in the midst of our very busy lives? De-stressing can begin in just 30 minutes a day and help heal your heart, clear your arteries and reboot your nervous system.
Slow, rhythmic breathing on a count of 7 controls the heart rate, and relaxes the entire body.
Sit in a comfortable chair and let your arms rest naturally in your lap.
Breathe in through the nose and exhale through the mouth, counting to seven each time.
As you begin to relax and feel the rhythm of your heartbeat slowing down, visualize a river flowing smoothly, pushing debris off to the sides, as it rushes strong towards a waterfall ahead.
Continue to see this picture of strong flowing water as you breathe.
Listen to the "sounds in your mind": birds chirping in the woods, wind gently rustling the leaves, water babbling, then rushing, then pouring over the falls.
Treat yourself to this mini vacation for 30 minutes a day.
Do 15 minutes a couple of times a day and just before bed, to help you relax your mind, body and spirit into deep sleep.
This is effective in lowering blood pressure as well.
Doing this daily will train and condition your response to stress.
You'll be able to breathe and quickly gain composure.
Evaluate what you can remove from your to-do list.
Eliminate non-essentials, delegate to others or hire help as you can.
Your health is more important than being "Superwoman" or "Superman".
There now.
The first 4 secrets of anti aging are just common sense after all.
Next we take a look at diet, also common sense.
5.
Eat well and drink your water.
Limit salt, sugar and artery-clogging saturated fats and trans fats.
Eat lots of antioxidant veggies, with every meal and as snacks.
Foods which have proven to be effective in lowering cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure, and improve circulation, skin tone, elasticity and overall vitality are critical.
Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, the ultimate anti-aging fat, protect your brain, your bones, joints, skin heart and more.
What are the magic foods? Some of them are soybeans, pecans, walnuts and almonds, olive oil, avocados, tomatoes, leafy greens, especially spinach, kale and escarole.
Garlic and onions, salmon and oatmeal.
These are some of the super foods rich in antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Many fitness experts promote fasting as an excellent way to cleanse, detox and boost your metabolism.
Detoxifying the system promotes better digestion and absorption of anti-aging super foods.
6.
Protect your eyes and your ears from over exposure.
Wear your sunglasses, take breaks from staring at your computer, and turn down that iPod or MP3 player.
Your mother always said, "Turn it down!".
She was right.
7.
Most important.
Exercise for health, not just to lose weight.
Being constantly active helps fight brain fog, reduces internal inflammation, helps prevent type2 diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Dust off those sneakers and work your heart and your muscles, build bone strength and endurance with 20 -25 minutes per day, even breaking it into 10 minute sessions.
Gradually increase frequency, duration and intensity.
You will reap overall health benefits.
Focus on feeling good, and looking good will follow.
"Move it, or lose it", is another old saying.
The Best Anti Aging Secrets are not so secret after all.
Just get started today.
Let's do it together!