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For years, people have sought for the fountain of youth. Although it’s been considered as a myth, many haven’t given up for the promise of everlasting youth.
The anti-aging industry is a huge thing these days. According to Market Watch, the industry has grown significantly that the industry used to be valued at $162 billion in 2009 has spiked up and has an estimated value of $261.9 billion in 2013.
There are tons of anti-aging products and services in the market that promise to give you a youthful look. While many of them actually work, the thing is, most of these products and services are not cheap. Hence, if you want to keep on using them, you need to be prepared to spend a lot of money. However, there are ways on how you can look younger without going beyond your budget.
The following are some of the best ways to keep your youthful look without breaking your bank:
- Quit smoking
In one study that compares the looks of twins on which one is a smoker, the plastic surgeons noticed several skin changes on the smoker twins. They observed that smokers have sagged lower eyelids and have more wrinkles around the mouth. Smokers, in general, look older than nonsmokers.
Smoking affects one’s appearance because it affects the oxygen supply to the skin as well as the blood circulation. This results to weathered, wrinkled, and older-looking skin.
- Eat healthy
Food plays an important role not just in your physical health but also on how you age. Eating the right kind of food can help you look you younger by making your hair shinier and smoothing your wrinkles. Some of the best food options for keeping you look younger include watermelon, blueberries, kale, eggs, walnuts, and avocado. These foods are rich in antioxidants, omega-3 and 9 fatty acids, protein, and iron that help retain your skin’s moisture and keep it elastic.
- Exercise regularly
Whether it’s vigorous walking, running, or strength training, regular physical activity can help you look younger. A study from McMaster University showed that endurance exercise may be able to prevent premature aging. The mice in the study that ran on a treadmill for three times a week were able to prevent premature aging compared to those that were kept sedentary.
Research found out that exercise has the protective ability from keeping the telomeres from shortening. Telomeres are what protect the chromosomes from potential damage. Shortening of telomeres can lead to damage to chromosomes, leading to aging.
When blood samples of athletes and adults who do not exercise regularly were analyzed, researchers found out that there is a correlation between physical activity and the length of telomeres. Athletes were shown to have longer telomeres compared to adults who do not smoke but also don’t exercise regularly. This could be attributed to the effect of exercise in the activation of enzyme called telomerase which helps stabilize the telomeres.
- Sleep right
Having the right amount and quality of sleep doesn’t just minimize your risk of heart disease and other chronic problems; it can also help prevent premature skin aging. This is because during sleep, the body including the skin recovers.
A clinical trial from University Hospitals showed that women who were sleep deprived have shown more obvious signs of skin aging compared to those who had enough sleep. The study made use of SCINEXA skin aging scoring system. Although this only shows correlation, the trial gives you more reasons to get better sleep at night.
- Try facial exercises
Facial exercises are no longer new. They have existed for years; in fact, it was believed that even Cleopatra have tried it herself. These exercises are said to work in keeping your skin look younger as facial muscles are like other muscles in the body. If you don’t work them out, they eventually sag, leading to more visible signs of skin aging.
There are different kinds of facial exercises you can try depending on the area you want to focus on. The good thing with these exercises is that you can do it anytime, anywhere and won’t cost you a fortune.
The tips above aren’t just simple to do but also won’t cost you a lot. This only shows that you don’t need a lot of money to maintain your youthful look.