Perfect-aging not Anti-Aging

Everybody ages, it's a gift. So why are we anti, anti-aging? Years ago we made the decision (before it became popular) that because aging is normal, everyone does it (if we're lucky), let's see if we can do it better.

We all want to age perfectly—or at least, look like we're aging gracefully. But is that even possible? And what does "aging perfectly/gracefully" even mean?

In this post, we'll explore the concept of perfect aging and how to achieve it (spoiler alert: there's no one right answer). Whether you're looking to preserve your youth or just take better care of yourself as you get older, read on for perfect aging tips.

1. Diet and Exercise -

Recommendations are 

• 2 to 5 hours a week of moderate intensity exercise and 1-2.5 hours a week of vigorous aerobic exercise or any combination of the two.
• Activities that include balance training in addition to aerobic and muscle strengthening exercises are ideal.

Be sure to include muscle and bone strengthening exercises by using resistance bands or weights. Let's keep our bones healthy.

 Diet

• Opt for more plant-based meals. Think lots of veggies and fruits!
• Keep protein lean with fish, beans, quinoa
• Avoid solid fats for cooking, using oils instead
• Stay away from processed foods, refined sugars and unhealthy fats.
• Keep salt intake at a minimum in order to keep your blood pressure down

Dental Health

Poor dental care not only affects your smile but can put you at risk for gum disease. Heart disease, stroke, and bacterial pneumonia have been linked to poor dental care.

A dentist can spot signs of deficiencies in nutrition, infection, cancer, and diabetes. Brushing, flossing and regular checkups are all highly recommended.

Recently, a large study was releasedthat linked gum disease and dementia. The bacteria that causes gum disease may be linked to the development of Alzheimer's and other related dementias, especially vascular dementia. This is what an analysis led by NIA scientists suggests; their results were reported in Journal Of Alzheimer’s Disease.

The fun stuff that keeps us youthful thinking and acting

• Take time to engage in activities you enjoy to fuel your happiness. Spend time in nature, pursue a new hobby, volunteer, go on that weekend getaway..whatever brings you joy.

• One of the best ways to have a happy and healthy life is by spending time with friends or loved ones. Meaningful relationships can make you feel less isolated, which in turn improves your moods! Don't forget about the importance of having pets too - they're linked not only to lower stress levels but also blood pressure reduction for the people who own them as well.

• Try different foods - yes, it's easy to get stuck in a rut with what we cook and what we eat. Take that Sushi-for-beginners cooking class! Change things up.

• Keep a schedule. Give your day some structure by maintaining a schedule. Oftentimes, people start to feel a loss of responsibility if they have too much free time and too few obligations. This can make you feel unproductive and less useful. Instead, fill your schedule with activities that you enjoy or need to do

What we can do to help our skin age better

Our skin begins to age in our 40's, but there are many things we can do to slow down the clock.

• Get in the habit of applying sunscreen every single day rain or shine. I know all of us in the skincare biz harp on this, but it's the single most important thing we can do to slow the aging process when it comes to our skin. Keep your skin out of the sun!

• Use a Retinoid. Derived from Vitamin A, retinol is one of the most studied perfect-aging ingredients. Retinol has the ability to increase collagen production, which helps to plump up the skin, keeping it looking more firm.

• Cleanse and moisturize your skin every night! Cleansing your skin from the debris of the day is crucial to keeping your skin glowing at any age. Use a moisturizer that is appropriate for your needs and age. 

40's - introduce your skin to Retinol and a good collagen supporting moisturizer. 

50's - include a potent Vitamin C serum in your daily routine, AHA's, and Peptides daily

60's and older - be sure you are using Retinol, Resveratrol, Tripeptides and Sodium Hyaluronic. A daily face oil is a great addition if your skin leans toward dry.

Aging perfectly isn’t about trying to look and act like a 30-something — it’s about living your best life and having the physical and mental health to enjoy it. Like a fine bottle of wine, you too can age perfectly!