Want to look and feel younger than your real age? Try these healthy tweaks...
*ACCORDING TO UCLA RESEARCH. **STUDY PUBLISHED IN NEUROLOGY. ***RUSH INSTITUTE FOR HEALTHY AGING, RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER, CHICAGO.
As we get older, it’s easy to think that our bodies are starting to deteriorate. Joints get creakier, skin looks saggier and sleep is often harder to come by – leaving us lacking in youthful energy. But before you worry you’ve lost your spark, there are plenty of things you can do to boost your health and happiness. Use these tips to start living your best life now and beyond – no matter what your age.
1 DIAL DOWN THE AIR CON
It’s tempting to crank it up in the car on warm days, but air conditioning severely dries out our skin, leading to premature ageing and wrinkles. Sip an iced drink to stay cool and use a moisturising face cream to relieve dry skin.
2 TONE UP YOUR TUM
As we age, especially during the menopause, fat moves from our hips to our bellies, which is where it’s most dangerous. Keeping in shape reduces the risk of liver disease, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. So, lay off the chocs and wine and fill up on chicken, fish, wholegrains, pulses, garlic and Brazil nuts. These low-glycemic index (low-GI) foods stimulate the release of sugar from the fat cells, so you burn fat faster, especially around your middle.
3 GET YOUR SLEEP
A busy lifestyle can be draining – not only does this make you feel tired, but the stress of it can affect your rest, explains nutritionist Susan Alexander. Just a single night of insufficient sleep can make older adults’ cells age quicker*, so try a herbal sleeping supplement such as
Unbeelievable Health’s Bee Rested (£13.99 for 20 capsules, Holland & Barrett).
4 SLAP ON SUNSCREEN
It’s essential you protect yourself against harmful rays that can cause sunspots, fine lines and wrinkles – and more seriously, melanoma (skin cancer). ‘The risks from UVA damage in the UK are present all year round, even on a cloudy day,’ explains skin health specialist Dr Anita Sturnham.
5 AVOID BECOMING DEHYDRATED
Staying hydrated flushes out toxins and keeps skin looking and feeling healthy. ‘First thing in the morning, I drink a glass of water with added lemon juice to hydrate,’ says nutritionist Chantal van der Brempt.
‘If you don’t like plain water, drink herbal t
