BANGALORE: Ageing is a usual phenomenon. Your skin changes as you age. You notice wrinkles, age spots and dryness. Your skin also becomes thinner and loses fat, making it less chubby and smooth. It takes an effort to heal, but reverse ageing is achievable in today’s world. The need to reverse or slow down ageing is important in keeping one’s skin healthy and looking young, which is the need of the hour today. There are a few factors that speed up our ageing process:
Stress
Stress damages the part of DNA responsible for controlling aging of the cells. Research has shown that people who are constantly stressed out because of various factors such as poor health and hectic lifestyle age quickly than people who are much more stress free.
A little effort and change in our lifestyle can get us rid of stress. Regular exercise relieves stress as the brain produces endomorphins, which helps to leave the body in a better state of mind and improve its well-being. Sleep at least eight hours everyday. A lot of people suffer stress because of the lack of sleep in their daily routine. Getting a short nap during the day if possible can also help some of work related issues that is common in most working people now days. Develop a hobby that makes you completely relaxed and try and schedule them into your daily routine. It could be anything from playing video games for an hour or two, watching a movie, playing sports, a good massage or a facial, shopping or even cooking. These help to relieve stress because they have the psychological effect of putting your mind into the subconscious of a world without any worries and negative thoughts while participating in the activity.
Sun damage
Facial skin damage caused by the sun is a big factor in the process of ageing. The problem with this type of ageing is that it is cosmetic and its there for everyone to see. The face can start developing wrinkles and start discolouring.
However, it can be quite easy to correct these damages with Hi-Tech dermatological procedures available. It is best that you avoid going out in the early afternoon between 12 pm and 3 pm when the rays are most harmful. Stay in the shade as much as possible. Use a good sunscreen with min SPF 30 every 3-4 hrs. Do not sun tan. Apart from sun damage, you also risk the possibility of getting skin cancer. Consult a dermatologist for advice on following a right skin care routine.
Diet
Diet plays a great role in the process of aging. It can either accelerate the process or help to slow it down. A bad diet high in fats and intoxicating foods can contribute in reducing acidic regulatory elements within the body.
Avoid caffeine, alcohol
These increase toxins in your body. A toxin slows down the body’s ability to process water efficiently and damage cells. If necessary it is recommended that you consume them very moderately.
Calorie restricting diet
A calorie restricting diet low in bad fats with balanced proteins and carbohydrates with lots of fruits and vegetables has shown to improve the conditioning of the heart and has the potential to increase lifespan significantly.
Multi vitamin
Vitamins are good source of antioxidants that help to neutralise free radicals. These free radicals lead to aging by damaging cells. A healthy diet is a source of required vitamins but you can supplement that source with multivitamin pills also. However, be careful not to overdose and only take the amount instructed after consulting with a doctor.
High water intake
Drink plenty of water every day. Water helps to neutralize acids in the body by eliminating toxins. This helps improve the efficiency of the body in disposing of waste such as urine and perspiration. Drinking plenty of water will also help to re-hydrate the body making you skin glow healthy.
Quit smoking
Smoking adds to harmful toxins in the body. These toxins contribute to damaging cells Dr Charu said, “Aging is not a disease but a natural course of our life and should be accepted healthy.Following the above few advises will help us in ageing gracefully.”