With modern science, a nutritious diet and a dedication to your overall health, there’s no reason why you can’t look healthy and vibrant.
Who doesn’t want to look their best no matter his or her age?
Whether you’re still young and trying to stave off the effects of aging or someone older hoping to turn back the clock a few years, these tips can give you some insight into how you can look great no matter what decade of your life you’re in.
Basics
These general suggestions are a great place to start thinking about your health as you age.
Act young. Those who remain active and social will likely not only be happier but will appear to others as being younger and more vibrant than those who sit at home and wallow in their advancing age. So get out there as much as you can, stay active and act as young as you feel.
Get enough sleep. Getting enough rest can have a huge impact on how you look and feel so try to get enough each night to allow you to wake up refreshed and without huge dark circles under your eyes.
Quit smoking. Everyone knows smoking is bad for your heart and lungs but it can also prematurely age your skin and give you wrinkles around the mouth from constantly puffing. Quit smoking or cut way back to reduce the harmful effects.
Stay hydrated. Your body needs water to stay healthy and to feel your best you’ll want to drink enough each day to keep your body in tip top shape. It can improve the look of your skin and have a positive effect on numerous body functions.
Take note of your posture. If you’re slouching over you’re probably not doing your body any favors nor are you making yourself look younger. Make a concentrated effort to sit up straight and walk with your shoulders back.
Lower your stress. Everyone has occasional stress in their lives but if you feel yours is being taken over by stressful situations it could be causing you to age prematurely. Reduce the amount of stressful situations you have in your life or allow yourself to take breaks and relax each day.
Get energized. Moping around or constantly yawning isn’t going to give anyone the appearance of youth. Find ways to get yourself up, moving and motivated each day whether it’s through a workout or from a fun favorite activity.
Find happiness. Going through life feeling alone and unhappy isn’t going to make you look or feel any younger. Reach out to friends and family for companionship, find new groups to meet up with and make an effort to do things in your life you truly love and you’ll take years off your age.
Get involved. Don’t sit at home waiting for life to come to you, get out there and take it on. Find groups that share your interests, start playing a sport or volunteer with local organizations. You’ll feel better about yourself and look better in the process.
Make your health a priority. Paying attention to health issues is often something people put off in favor of convenience or lack of time. This attitude can allow health issues to become major concerns instead of providing them with preventative measures. Make taking care of yourself a big priority in your life to look better and live longer.
Keep your brain active. Help yourself feel younger by keeping your brain in tip top shape by giving it daily workouts. Do a crossword puzzle, read a book or challenge it with discussions, learning and memory games.
Meditate and relax. The effects of stress can make you look haggard and tired and much older than you actually are. Meditation and relaxation can give you a chance to escape from those daily stressors and allow you body to repair and rejuvenate.
Get outside. A little sunshine can make you feel better, give your skin a little color and help your body to produce much needed vitamins. Plus, the outdoors is a great place to get active and keep in shape.
Hair
Whether you’re worried about losing it or just want to ensure it looks fabulous at any age, check out these tips.
Change your style. Had the same haircut since the early 80′s? It might be time for a change. Keep your hairstyle up-to-date or change it up now and then to give yourself a fresher, more carefree and youthful appearance.
Add highlights. Sometimes a few simple highlights around your face can make you look lighter, more vibrant and ultimately younger. Ask your stylist what would work best for you.
Choose a great color. If you do choose to color your hair, make sure you’ve chosen a color that will work with your natural skin tone and won’t cause you to look washed out. A good color can make you look better and make you feel more confident.
Choose a cut that allows movement. As we age, our hair often loses much of its natural body as it dries out and changes texture. Choose a cut that involves layers or is designed to allow hair to move and make the most of natural body and bounce.
Keep hair shiny. Shiny hair gives the appearance of health and youthfulness. Use conditioners and styling products that promote shine or try putting your blow dryer on cold for a burst of shine when styling.
Go lighter. As you age, you may find that your once lovely dark color now makes you look much older than your actual age. Try lightening it up a bit to bring brightness to your face and make you look younger and healthier.
Work with the gray. Whether you choose to cover up your gray hair or to leave it as it is you’ll need to treat it differently than you’ve treated your hair in the past. Gray hair often has has different texture and you’ll need to use special dyes and products to help it look its best.
Use your hairstyle to hide wrinkles. Got a wrinkly forehead? You may be able to cover it up with some bangs. Choose a style that’s best for your face shape and you can easily and stylishly cover up some of your most telling lines.
Condition only the ends. You could be bringing down the body of your hair by conditioning it at the roots. Try conditioning just the ends of your hair to see if it gives you a little more bounce.
Wash every other day. Washing your hair on a daily basis could be drying it out and causing it to frizz, especially as hair becomes dryer with age. Wash hair every other day unless necessary to get healthier, more manageable hair.
Go shorter. Long hair could be making you look much older than you are by detracting attention away from your face. Try a shorter cut as you age to give your face more focus, lighten up your appearance and make you look younger.
Shave off that beard. For men, a beard can sometimes add on unwanted years especially if its gray. Try shaving it off for a clean, fresh face. If you don’t like the look, you can always grow it back.
Trim unwanted hair. As we age, we often begin to get more hair in unwanted places like the nose and ears for men and on the face for women. Keep these hairs in check to look better and give the appearance of greater youthfulness.