Your habits could be sabotaging your looks. Since you don’t have the luxury of living at a wellness resort and spa, your face and body are constantly fighting the harsh realities of life. At Byrd Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center, we see the evidence of this daily in our patients. Below are five habits that make you look older than you should.
1. You are stressed the majority of the time.
No one looks their best when stressed. And we now have proof biologically why you don’t. Chronic stress increases the production and concentration of hormones cortisol and norepinephrine in the bloodstream, causing spikes in blood pressure and suppressing immunity. Chronic stress can also harden your arteries, delay healing, and has been linked to reducing the capacity of certain areas of your brain involved in learning, memory, and mood.
Ways to cut down on the craziness.
While you can’t completely alleviate stress, your reaction to everyday circumstances can keep hormones levels at a more stable and healthy level. Taking baths, reading, exercising and watching a good movie are all great ways to reduce stress.
2. Sugar, Sugar, and more Sugar.
Did you know that the average American consumes 31 teaspoons per day of added sugar, which is the equivalent of 465 calories? Not only does it contribute to weight gain, but now experts also say it can make your skin dull and also increase wrinkles. They base this on a natural process known as glycation, in which the sugar in your bloodstream attaches to proteins to form harmful new molecules that damage collagen and elastin, which keep skin firm and elastic. Once damaged, collagen and elastin become dry and brittle, leading to wrinkles and sagging.
Moderation is key.
Simply limiting your consumption is easy. The key is to watch for hidden sugars in unexpected food sources. Many prepared foods contain hefty amounts of sugar, but under different names like dextrose, fruit juice concentrate, corn syrup, maltose, molasses, and turbinado. So, check the ingredient labels.
3. You’re not getting enough shuteye.
Research suggests that adults function best with an average of eight to nine hours of sleep each night. The average American gets just over six hours of sleep each night. If you aren’t getting the proper amount of sleep, you’re putting your body at a severe disadvantage. Your body naturally detoxifies and regenerates the organs during sleep. Also, research links insufficient sleep to high blood pressure, weight gain, diabetes, and even simply looking ragged and aged.
Make bedtime sacred.
A full eight hours may not always be possible, but making sleep a priority is. Determine what you are doing during the hours of 9 pm and 11pm. If you can, rearrange those tasks to free that time up for winding down. Try not to eat within 2 hours of bedtime. Turn your television off, pick up a book or take that bath, and aim to get into “sleep mode” at a time that gives you at least seven hours of sleep.
4. You haven’t had sex lately. “Lately” meaning you don’t quite remember the last time.
Sex feels good and does amazing things for your mood. However, did you know how amazing it is for your health as well? Research shows that people with active sex lives have less pain, a lower cancer risk, stronger immune systems, healthier hearts, and less stress. Now, a recent study shows that sex can even make you look up to 12 years younger.
Sex Please!
Pack away those sweatpants and tee shirts and wear something that makes you feel and look your best. Be proactive about setting aside time for you and your spouse. The bottom line is to get busy! You’ll look and feel younger.
5. If you had a dollar for every time you ate a fruit and a vegetable this week, you’d have…a dollar.
Remember this word: ANTIOXIDANTS. These super-powered compounds fight free radicals that wreak havoc on your skin and body, damaging cells that can lead to cancer and make you look older.
Bring on the broccoli.
Try eating a fruit or vegetable every 3-4 hours or throw them in with every meal. So, make a salad and add a in a few dried cranberries, fresh yellow or red peppers, spinach, broccoli, or cauliflower. Try making a berry smoothie. If you’re limited on time, most health food stores carry organic drink powders that provide all the daily recommended fruits and vegetables in one serving.
You can immediately start making daily changes to prevent future aging. If you’re already noticing the effects of years of bad habits, the good news is that the professionals at Byrd Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Center offer innovative, safe, and effective methods of turning back the clock, like Exilis. Exilis uses radiofrequency energy to deliver deep thermal heat into the skin, initiating collagen remodeling, skin tightening, and fat loss.
Click here to learn more on how Byrd Aesthetic and Antiaging Center can help you jump start your journey back to youth and health.
