Did you know that the speed of the aging process is only 10-20% up to your genes?! Yes, that’s right. The rest depends on your diet and lifestyle. So totally up to YOU!

I am 35 guys, and I can certainly feel that I need to do a little more to look and feel young. But it is so worth it! It is funny, cause sometimes they still ask for my ID if I buy alcohol in a supermarket (pretty rare tho’), which I used to be so fed up with, but now I take it as a HUGE compliment. 😉

OK, let’s get into this!

1.Oxidative stress

I am sure it is not the first time you hear about oxidative stress, but what is it exactly? When oxygen molecules enter our body they react with our cells, and as a by-product of the process free radicals (nitrogen or oxygen-based molecules) are formed. Practically free radicals are produced with every breath, the only problem is that they damage our cells, and can even cause their deaths. In addition to the fact that too much oxidative stress can lead to the development of various diseases (e.g. cancer), it also speeds up the aging process.

What can you do about it?

First of all, you can pursue a healthy lifestyle in order to avoid oxidative stress (I’ll go into details about this in a sec) and eat as much antioxidant-rich foods as you can! Anti-oxidants (also included in their name) are protecting against oxidation, ie they reduce and neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals.

Let’s see first the most antioxidant-rich foods (that you should eat more of!!):

• Matcha
• Acai berry
• Goji Berry
• Pomegranate
• Cocoa
• Pecans
• Prunes
• Oregano
• Sea buckthorn
• Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries
• Turmeric
• Kiwi
• Green, oolong, rooibos and white tea
• Red grapes
• Avocado

And here are the activities and things that will enhance the wrinkling effect of oxidative stress:

• smoking
• alcohol consumption
• drinking too much coffee
• stressful lifestyle
• overweight
• strong UV radiation (sunscreen 365 days of the year!)
• Smog + Electrosmog
• too little or too much workout (yes, even too much workout is bad for your skin!)
• excessive consumption of trans fatty acids (eg margarine, animal fat)
• eating too much sugar
• other toxic substances (eg chemicals in our environment, detergents, cosmetics)

So escape from these stuff if you want to stay young forever! 😊 What about the things you can not avoid (eg stress)? Try to counterbalance them (see section 4)!

2. ELECTROSMOG OR “DIGITAL AGING”

It also causes oxidative stress, so it would actually belong to point 1, but I wanted to mention it separately, as it has a huge effect on everyone’s life these days. Recently, I have come across many articles about how „our phones / laptops / tablets are aging our skin.” The basic assumption is that the high doses of blue light emitted by our electric devices lead to free radical formation, almost as much as UV radiation. Therefore, it is aging the skin. Of course, not overnight, but in the long run, almost imperceptibly. Researchers are still investigating this question… but still, I’m saying better safe than sorry. 😉

What can you do about it?

Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen! Even if you are inside an office in front of your computer all day, and not working outside under the sun! You can also use blue-light blocking computer glasses. The more “oversized” they are, the better, so you’re able to protect the skin around your eyes as well (at least a little bit). (You can also ask for this special filter function in your normal, prescription glasses.) I haven’t taken a pic of mine (simple black cat eye style), but I am in love with them. So useful!

3. LACK OF MICRO/MACRONUTRIENTS

However, healthy diet is V basic, there are micro- and macronutrients that are particularly important if we talk about preserving youthful-looking skin. If your body do not get enough of them that will unfortunatley show up on your face as well.

Micronutrients are nothing but vitamins, minerals and fibers. And the most important of them in preventing your skin’s beauty and youth are:

• D, A, C, E, K, B vitamins
• calcium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, iron, selenium
• fibers (eg cereals, fruits, vegetables)

Macronutrients include carbohydrates, protein and fat. Obviously you only need the “good” ones:

• Good carbohydrates: vegetables in all quantities, fruits (low in sugar, such as raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, kiwi, grapefruit), seeds
• Good proteins: lean meats, fish, eggs, legumes, dairy products (you should be careful with them, but kefir, yogurt are fine if you are not allergic or sensitive to them)
• Good fats: unsaturated fats, omega-3 (plant oils, oily fish, nuts, seeds, avocado, linseed, etc.)

What can you do about it?

Eat the rainbow! Incorporate as much diversity into your diet as you can so your small body will get all the nutrients it needs. 😉 In case its needed, take a supplement (eg vitamin D, vitamin C).

4. STRESS

Stress is one of the biggest killers of our times! Unfortunately, it is almost always the one to be blamed for illnesses and also for premature aging. Stress is aging you at all levels (physical, “chemical” and genetical), moreover, can cause problems with sleep (see section no. 5), which further enhances the process.

Did you know that in the embryonic stage of our lives, skin and nerves are formed from the same tissue (from the so-called ectoderm)? That’s why feelings and emotions are immediately showing up on our skin. And that’s why there’s such a strong connection between our state of mind (&soul) and the appearance of our skin. You should not only think about blushing here, but also stress – which causes wrinkles, inflammation & acne!

What can you do about it?

“Do not stress yourself out“ – of course, it’s easier said than done, right? But still, it’s worth trying! If you can do something about it (like deadlines), do it (manage to accomplish things in time), but if you can not (for example, fear of the future), do not waste your energy and do not cause more wrinkles to yourself unnecessarily! 😉 The other thing you can do is learn as many anti-stress techniques as you can. This can be anything from physical activity (eg yoga) to breathing techniques (very useful, I swear!!!), relaxation or meditation (true anti-aging effects here 😉). Also if there is something that calms you down especially well (like a nice bubble bath, reading or swimming), then practice that as often as you can.

IN THE EMBRYONIC STAGE OF OUR LIVES, SKIN AND NERVES ARE FORMED FROM THE SAME TISSUE. THAT’S WHY FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS ARE IMMEDIATELY SHOWING UP ON OUR SKIN. AND THAT’S WHY THERE’S SUCH A STRONG CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR STATE OF MIND (&SOUL) AND THE APPEARANCE OF OUR SKIN. 

5. LACK OF SLEEP

Well, let’s be honest, it is a real “disease” of today’s people as well. Even though sleep is just as important as eating or drinking! Just somehow, it’s underestimated today, because our lives are so hectic that when we get home after a long day, all we want to do is extend the time when we can finally have some fun and do whatever the hell we want to. The primary goal would be to take this thing called „sleep” a bit more seriously, as the whole body, organs, nerves and skin are regenerating during those hours of rest. It is not a coincidence, there is a reason why it is like this, and it’s better not make fun of nature.

Everyone needs 7-8 hours of sleep. Period. The thing is that it also matters when you have these hours: sleep between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. is the most regenerative. If sometimes you can not make it, the world will not come to an end, but strive for it, because if you don’t, a few years later your grandmother / grandfather will look back at you from the mirror. 😛 NO joke.

What can you do about it?

The formula is very simple: go to bed in time. It is also easier said than done especially if you have a 3.5-year-old child who is not willing to fall asleep before 10.30 p.m. (Do we know anyone? Hm-hm … 😊) If you do not have one, be happy about it and don’t try to find excuses. Set an alarm also for the night. Let’s say to 9.30 p.m., so you know, you still have half an hour till bedtime. Turn off your phone, grab a book and read or do anything that relaxes you and gets you in the „mood”.

You can not fall asleep, or you wake up during the night? I suggest you look at the root of the problem, ask for help and work on it to improve the situation because lack of sleep can cause serious health problems in the long term.

6. Being Half-Hearted

I do not know how to put this into words… maybe I could also say “being old in spirit”. Look at the faces of people who have lost all connnection with their “childlike self”. They look older than their age, don’t they? Just as people who are unhappy, burned out, or just live their life from one day to another without goals and passion.

“What’s going on in the inside, shows on the outside” – I really believe in this saying, regardless of how much I love beauty products. If you have lost your relationship with yourself, if you do not feel happy, you have no sense of humour, you can not be silly and laugh ’til you cry, enjoy the tiny pleasures of life, it will – sooner or later – show up on your appearance, your aura, and on your skin.

What can you do about it?

Keep your youthfulness, your childlike self forever, do not let life break you! Smile, enjoy life and do not care about the number of your years! So you will for sure get wrinkles later, I guarantee it! 😉

“HAPPY GIRLS ARE THE PRETTIEST.” (Audrey Hepburn)

Have a beautiful skin, gorgeous!

Peonilla xx

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Photo: Arnel Hasanovic, Brooke Lark (Unsplash), Pinterest