The one thing that you can’t ever get back is a certain age (or any age for that matter), so how well do you know your body so well that you can finally see how it’s changing with time? There is a lot of hype and misinformation out there in this area, but I think being proactive about what I eat and what I’m putting into my skin has been key to my success in anit-aging and my subsequent health.
- Exercise regularly. It is just good luck if you get lucky. When I was young, I didn’t have the money or the motivation to exercise. But after years of consistent practice as a dance instructor (which helped me stay active) I started gaining muscle mass and toning my body. Now, I’m happy to say that I’m very lean and strong, and feel like my legs are actually thicker than they used to be. I’ve noticed an improvement in my ability to complete tasks. My strength is getting stronger and more efficient, which also means the things that I love to do with my older kids and friends will become easier and easier to do. If you want to start doing better at anything, do not keep it to yourself! You need to talk to someone who’s been in your shoes before you. A personal trainer is always great in helping you figure out when to begin looking for help. Your parents might want to take you to the doctor (or a gym) to check your weight or stretch, or just ask one of your coworkers because now you have access to resources that will save you some time and money. Even as little children I would want them to learn how. So, put on something nice and let people know what you did for your summer. We can all use a little extra inspiration now and then.
- Use self-care options, such as baths or showers (without soap!). I used to shower every night after school, but once that chore became tedious, my bathroom wasn’t going to be the same place I lived in after I had finished work. The water got stagnant in the tub and I became bloated. I would often forget where my keys were or even my wallet, which often felt like a burden. Then I found these products: 1. BSHC bath bombs, 2. EltaMD Shower gel, and 3. Oat milk chocolate milkshakes. Basically toothpaste for washing your teeth (or pee pee). They’re super hydrating, they make my skin glow, and I find myself feeling refreshed afterward. Plus, most of those ingredients are natural (which makes them much healthier than the commercial alternatives we have used to replace them with in the past.)
- Schedule sleep. No wonder many women don’t see themselves or their bodies until it’s too late. So, set aside 30-40 minutes to sleep each night! This doesn’t mean that you need to spend 40 hours in bed (even though you won’t wake up feeling amazing from sleeping in your own bed), but it probably should make enough time for you to get to bed at least 7-8 hours before you go to bed. I am fortunate to have only had a handful of nights where I haven’t gone back to sleep after waking up since that point. I schedule my nighttime routine around the time that my son gets ready for his morning school day. Sometimes he’ll have gotten there earlier, so I can watch him fall asleep before everyone else does. But usually, he’ll be ready by then, so he’ll stay in class until I’m done. He sleeps as close to the moment that he falls asleep as possible, and he seems to get lots of naps in between classes. Not having to deal with napping during the day makes things so much less stressful for me in the evening (or while I’m watching TV. It might seem silly to some people, but it works! Maybe it’s just me, but I’m grateful for these routines that keep me sane during the day. Or maybe not having them keeps me awake, but it helps me relax during the day for more productive time in the evening.). Just remember to give yourself the gift of rest (or another form of self-care if you’re working from home).
I’m not saying what works for you won’t work for others. Just try different types of ways to treat your body to make sure you’re eating enough of everything and getting plenty of exercise. Remember, sleep and self-care are still important when it comes to aging, and I hope this helps you in any way you can!
