By Ariel Colhoun Passionate about increasing the sphere of influence for women & driving positive change.
Our age and how we look are at the top of mind for most women nowadays. With so much pressure stemming from social media and big beauty companies, external appearances always appear to be at the forefront. There's an overabundance of anti-aging products on the market making promises by claiming that you'll look like you're back in your 30's ... but deep down inside, we all know that aging is unavoidable. There are numerous external factors influencing how we age, including our climate and how we handle our bodies, and it is the cumulation of all these factors together that potentially can speed up the aging process. The effects that all these factors have on your skin however, is most surprising.
Here's our list of 7 everyday things that are potentially aging you:
1. Stress
No one is immune to it, but how we handle stress makes a world of difference when it comes to aging.
According to CAMH, "A certain amount of stress is a normal part of daily life. Small doses of stress help people meet deadlines, be prepared for presentations, be productive and arrive on time for important events. However, long-term stress can become harmful. When stress becomes overwhelming and prolonged, the risks for mental health problems and medical problems increase."
CAMH further adds, "Long-term stress increases the risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression, substance use problems, sleep problems, pain and bodily complaints such as muscle tension. It also increases the risk of medical problems such as headaches, gastrointestinal problems, a weakened immune system, difficulty conceiving, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and stroke."
Learning to handle your stress effectively is essential, especially in the long run. Some great ways to reduce and manage your stress include eating well, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, prioritizing 'me' time, limiting alcohol and caffeine, avoiding cigarettes/drugs, reducing negativity, and seeking support from family and friends. When we are feeling well, we often feel stronger and more able to cope with stress.
2. Inflammatory Foods
Inflammation is the response of the immune system to injury or illness and is a normal, reparative reaction needed for healing. But when it comes to inflammatory foods and a poor diet, it leads to unhealthy inflammation.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, Director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, "When inflammation persists beyond its intended borders and purpose, however, the immune system mistakenly attacks normal cells, and the process that ordinarily heals becomes destructive. It is now widely accepted that chronic inflammation is the root cause of many serious illnesses, especially those related to aging."
"The good news is that lifestyle choices can help," says Weil. "Following an anti-inflammatory diet is the single best way to reduce chronic inflammation and optimize health." The Anti-Inflammatory Diet is a life-long eating plan that focuses on different foods that are intended to minimize harmful inflammation and potentially reduce the risk of disease for your future. It is important to choose the right anti-inflammatory foods rather than well-known inflammatory foods such as red meat, refined carbohydrates found in white bread and pastries, fried foods, soda drinks, and margarine.
Healthier anti-inflammatory food choices include:
Brightly colored fresh vegetables & fruits, particularly dark berries
Healthy fats found in high-quality extra virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds, beans & avocados. Soy foods such as tofu, tempeh & edamame
Heathier drink choices like water, herbal teas like green tea, soy milk
Spices known for their anti-inflammatory properties including ginger, turmeric & cinnamon
Omega 3s, fatty cold-water fish such as salmon
3. Alcohol
Alcohol ages you faster than you think. It's a natural process that's called extrinsic aging - a process that occurs that is directly related to your environment and your lifestyle. Alcohol accelerates dehydration and literally dries out your skin.
According to Dr. Carol Ann Goodman, at Bella Vi Spa & Aesthetics, “Alcohol also causes blood vessels at the skin’s surface to dilate. For intermittent drinkers, this causes temporary skin flushing. However, over time, the capillaries can dilate so much that they actually burst, creating visible red and purple veins, especially across the face and cheeks.” Numerous research studies all point to the fact that once these changes in your body begin, they are not irreversible on their own. Alcohol also introduces additional stresses on your body including insomnia and other sleep problems, lack of concentration, bloating, oxidative stress, liver damage, diabetes, heart disease, and so much more.
It's important to keep your skin hydrated and try replacing those alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic ones - and water is the best choice.
4. Lack Of Sleep
According to many research studies worldwide, lack of sleep contributes to accelerated aging. "Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions, including obesity, heart disease and diabetes – and it shortens your life expectancy", states NHS (National Health Service). Sleep affects our overall wellbeing including the immune system and hormones. Neurobiological mechanisms that occur during sleep have a significant effect on brain function, affecting mood, energy level and cognitive fitness.
NHS further adds that "One in 3 of us suffers from poor sleep, with stress, computers and taking work home often blamed. And with the added stress of the current global pandemic, stress is at an all-time high.
So how much sleep do you need? "Most of us need around 8 hours of good-quality sleep a night to function properly – but some need more and some less. What matters is that you find out how much sleep you need and then try to achieve it", says NHS. The benefits of getting a proper night's sleep are many including boosting your immunity, improving your mental well-being, preventing diseases, and more.
5. Sleeping Face Down
Sleeping positions and habits can actually impact your well-being according to Michael J. Breus, PhD. Breus states, "We’ve all heard of beauty sleep, and while it’s true that sleeping more can keep your skin looking younger for longer, some sleep positions are better than others. Stomach sleepers are more likely to have wrinkles: the pressure against your face adds friction, which can make those fine lines add up over time." This also rings true if you forget to take your makeup off before going to bed causing irritation and dryness. Choosing an alternative sleeping position may help you in the long run.
It's also important to make sure you wash your sheets and pillowcases regularly (at least once a week) to avoid build-up of dirt and oils that may potentially deepen your pores and cause unnecessary breakouts.
6. Cleansing Your Face Too Much
We all love that smooth, clean feeling after facial cleansing but washing, cleansing or exfoliating too much can actually cause damage to our skin. According to Gretchen Frieling, MD, "Exfoliating more than you need to can cause damage to the skin and a decrease in the health of the protective skin barrier, as well as early signs of aging, like fine lines and dehydration". And according to celebrity esthetician and skincare expert Renée Rouleau, "A major cause of aging is chronic and prolonged inflammation."
When it comes to cleansing, we believe less is actually more. Keep it simple. Use natural and organic products and be gentle on not only your skin but on accepting you for who you are and love the skin you are in.
7. Protecting Your Skin From Too Much Sun
Ultraviolet ( UV ) radiation from the sun is one of the main environmental factors that age our skin. The sun causes the deterioration of proteins in our skin which leads to the loss of our youthful appearance as we age.
It is important to protect your skin from the sun by:
Wearing clothing & hats that cover as much of you skin as possible
Wearing sunglasses or eyeglasses with UV protective lenses
Seeking shade and avoid getting too much sun
Using non-toxic sunscreen labeled 'broad spectrum' and 'water-resistant' with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30
All posts are intended strictly for educational purposes. It is not intended to make any representations or warranties about the outcome of any product/service.
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