by Shannon Willis of www.physicaltherapyassistantschools.org
If we could find it, I’m sure we’d patent it and sell each drop for a billion dollars; but unfortunately, the fountain of youth is just a myth and will always remain so. The process of aging doesn’t stop for anyone or anything, and the best we can do is to try and slow it down as much as we can. Some of us do it with cosmetics while others turn to pills and solutions. But what we all must remember is that it is our genes that have the loudest voice in deciding how fast we age. So if you want to know how you’re going to look in a decade or so, all you have to do is take a look at your parents. But there’s no reason to get upset if your folks seem older than they look; there are some things you can do to delay the aging process or at least trick Old Man Time into believing that it’s not time for us to show wrinkles yet:
- Don’t use too much makeup: While cosmetics do help in hiding those wrinkles and making your eyes seem larger than they are, prolonged and continuous use of makeup can harm your skin in the long run. It loses its elasticity faster and starts to sag because of dehydration, so much so that there comes a day when you’re not able to go out without heavy makeup.
- Don’t let stress get you down: A cheerful attitude and a positive outlook help in keeping you looking young and gorgeous. When you smile more often than you frown, you look more optimistic and energetic. This makes you look younger than you are. Besides, stress can develop furrows on your forehead, ugly lines that make you look cranky and old.
- Don’t think you’re old: You’re only as old as you think you are, so believe that you’re as young as you want to be. Don’t limit yourself to activities that society thinks suits people of your biological age; instead, keep yourself physically fit with regular exercise and remain active all your life. The more active you are, the less you think about how old you are.
- Don’t let yourself go: to flab, that is. The more obese you are, the older you tend to look. Try losing a few pounds and watch the difference in the way you look. Your skin glows when you exercise regularly and you look much better than you normally do.
- Don’t eat the wrong foods: Foods that contain a lot of fat and sugar tend to make you look bloated and dull, factors that make you look older than you really are. So eat the right foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole and grains. You don’t put on weight and you maintain your health as well.
