Everyday Habits that Keep You Young

     Do you ever run into people that look 10 to 15 to even 20 years younger than their age?  Do you ever wonder how they do it?  Although good genes do play a role in how people look as they age, certain lifestyle choices definitely factor in.  Smokers, tend to age the quickest.  Although there is no proven way to reverse the clock, you can speed up the clock by smoking those cigarettes.  Smoking produces free radicals and free radicals wreak havoc on your skin and weaken your heart, lungs and bones.  So, if you don't want to look 10 to 20 years older than your age, put away the cigarettes.  Another way to ensure your skin looks healthy and young is to protect it from the sun.  I am always a fan of using sunscreen with your skin care routine prior to sun exposure.  I actually love being in the sun without sunscreen because of vitamin D and all the health benefits increased Vitamin D levels offer us.  But, there is a limit.   Any extended time in the sun, such as a day at the beach or a marathon, should have us slathering on that sunblock.  In order to keep your complexion beautiful, stay hydrated.  Don't skimp out on the water.  Of course, there are many days that I forget to drink.  As a mom of three kids, I am on a strict morning routine homeschooling at this point with our quarantine so my mornings are book.  Then, after school work is done, I take time to get work done before my kids are outside to play with their friends.  Somewhere in all that time, I try and make time for my second tip to keep you young and healthy.  I recommend this to everyone because it is so important especially during quarantine. 
     Exercise regularly.  Exercise has so many health benefits that in addition to keeping you looking great, it reduces your blood pressure, staves off type 2 diabetes, helps keep your heart healthy, increases bone mass, elevates your mood in addition to a number of other health benefits.  Exercise also increases your stamina and energy levels.  When I am feeling exhausted, I resist the urge to nap unless I've lost a bit of sleep the night before.  I realize that exercise will help increase my energy levels so I try and squeeze it in during the day.  Whether it is a walk with my dog, 30 minutes on the elliptical or a HIIT video, I try and get it done.  I admit, there are days I do not have any time to exercise...I just try and make up for it the next day.  If something is important, anyone can schedule it into their calendar.  Taking a walk and seeing the sights around the neighborhood is always a fun thing to do and helps elevate your mood.  Staying indoors is not a good idea and it is best to get as much fresh air and sunshine as you can to help elevate your mood and stay positive.
    Healthy eating.  Eating the right foods is a must if you want to maintain health.  I am always figuring out ways to tweak recipes to make them more healthy, with less saturated fat and cholesterol or with more omega-3s.  Today, I substituted wild alaskan salmon for tuna in a pasta recipe.  The kids didn't even notice the difference.  When making my delicious Polish cabbage rolls, I substituted turkey for red meat.  There are many ways to make meals healthier and I would explore the different ways you can substitute healthy ingredients for not so healthy ones.  You can always substitute greek yogurt for sour cream for increased levels of protein.  Making sure you get enough fruits and vegetables in your daily diet is key to making sure you have enough vitamins and minerals each day. 
     Drink green tea.  Green tea is a super food that has many health benefits due to it's bioactive compounds that improves brain function, increase body's fat burning capabilities, reduces the risk of some cancers, may help prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.  Green tea is a great afternoon drink that you can incorporate in your daily routine.  Although organic coffee is my preferred drink for breakfast, green tea is definitely my afternoon indulgence.  Sweetened with a bit of maple syrup or honey, I enjoy a hot cup of green tea before dinner. 
     Follow a good skin care routine.  Skin care is always something of a luxury for me.  It is so easy to just wash my face once a day in the shower with soap, but without a good routine, aging skin doesn't look it's best.  So, in the past year, I have been trying to keep a good morning and afternoon routine of face wash, toner, moisturize and apply sunblock.  If I skip my morning routine, I try my best to use a good quality facial wash in the evening. 
   Remember to stay hydrated.  Drinking 8 eight ounce glasses of water is best especially in dry and arid environments.  And always have a positive attitude about life.  When you stay positive, you have a belief that you can do anything and that goes miles and miles for your health!
     Feel free to drop me a line with any questions!  You can always message me through our Facebook group The Wellness Forum.  Stay safe and healthy!