There’s nothing wrong with aging, but it can feel disconcerting when your mind or body doesn’t match your chronological age. Ultimately, you want to continue feeling like yourself, and it can be hard to do that when it feels like youth is slipping away.
But not to worry – there are ways to help revitalize your mind, body, and spirit so that you can embrace your actual age. Check out these ideas, then start overhauling your lifestyle, one step at a time.
Start from Within
Just like there’s no magic serum to remove your smile lines or forehead wrinkles (and really, they give you personality!), there’s no magic superfood that can cure whatever ails you. But your diet can impact how you feel and your perceptions of aging from the inside out. A cleaner diet – with plenty of vitamins and minerals and yes, antioxidants – helps you stay healthy and youthful. But studies suggest that antioxidants, vitamins, some proteins, and fatty acids can help prevent visible signs of aging, too.
Move Your Body
Being physically active is not only crucial for staying healthy, but it’s a tried and true way to stop the clock and feel younger. With regular workouts, you’ll notice you have more energy, better sleep, a better mood and reduced stress. When starting or switching your workout routine, remember that it’s ideal to choose an activity you enjoy and that’s easy for you to start. For example, if you love dancing, LaBlast Fitness is the perfect choice. You get an array of partner-free dance styles to choose from, including Jive, Lindy Hop, Salsa, Samba, Merengue, Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Disco, and Quickstep. What’s more, you can work up a sweat when it fits your schedule through on demand classes.
Stop Sacrificing Style
Being comfortable is a priority – we get it. But there’s a fine line between comfy and frumpy, and the latter can make you feel much older than your chronological age. Even if you’re not dressing up to go out, primping a bit can help you feel more confident and youthful. Choose clothing staples that help you look and feel your best whether you’re working from home, working out or heading out for a lunch with friends. When you do go out, you’ll feel confident rather than concerned about who might spot you.
Tame Your Mane
Grey hairs aren’t the only thing that can make you feel older than your years. Dry hair with split ends – or a lack of volume – can make you feel dull despite an otherwise youthful appearance. But by adopting a hair wellness routine, you can achieve healthier hair that defies age (and outgrown roots). A smart haircare routine helps you feel good about yourself, too – and that’s part of the battle when it comes to preserving those youthful sentiments.
Give Your Finances a Boost
Nothing can stress us out more than the state of our finances. If you’re in debt or constantly trying to figure out how you’re going to pay your bills, look for ways you can trim expenses. This could mean practicing yoga from home instead of joining a studio, signing up for streaming services instead of cable, and doing your own household chores instead of hiring professionals. If you’re a homeowner, you can also reduce financial-related stress by refinancing your home. A home refinance will allow you to lower your monthly mortgage payments or can give you a cash infusion to help pay off your bills.
Queue Up Self-Care
It’s a buzzword for a reason: caring for yourself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually can help preserve your health and promote wellness. Whether you’re enjoying your favorite hobby, spending time chatting with friends, or connecting to your spiritual side through meditation, there are countless ways to use self-care to feel absolutely ageless. Not sure where to start? Well + Good recommends calming crystals to manifest calm and stop stressing. Then, you can drift away for self-care and me-time, whatever it looks like for you.
Let Travel Take You Near
You can’t escape the stress of life, but you can take a temporary vacation from it. Relaxing somewhere new can help you break out of the rut that’s impacting how you perceive your physical and mental age. Think about choosing a vacation rental that’s not too far off from your regular path, but that offers a relaxing experience and a new perspective.
Whatever your chronological age, caring for yourself from the inside out is an essential part of your path to wellness. No gimmicks or “hacks” can get you there faster when it comes to preventing those feelings of early aging. But putting in the effort can help you revitalize your body and mind.
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