Age has a way of creeping upon us. Before we know it, we are old. The strands on our hair turn grey; the body slows down, the bags round the eye deepen and our joints give way each time we climb the stairs. The routine chores suddenly seem mammoth and the games we regularly played are exhausting. Over the years, many have tried to devise ways and means to remain young, but the elixir that provides an everlasting touch has eluded all.
We tend to blame everything on ageing - our easy scapegoat. While there is no way to stop the ticking, there are definite ways to slow down the ageing process. What we forget is the neglect we subject our body to, before it begins to protest. There are no short cuts to get that youthful glow; it is a continuing process involving care and love—the secrets to anti-ageing, looking good and feeling great.
Increase Antioxidants
Increase the intake of antioxidant elements, to fight the free radicals. Switch to green tea as it has a lot of antioxidants. There is an entire range of vegetables and fruits, which are high on antioxidants like citrus fruits, tomatoes, etc.
Sun Control
The sun is essential but too much of it aids ageing. It gradually destroys the skin’s inner elastic tissue and breaks down the connective tissue causing premature ageing. To delay wrinkles and keep the skin supple, you need sun-prevention by using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Sleep and Rest
Fatigue makes you physically slow and mentally dull. A lot of people feel that eight hours of sleep is important while some feel bright and refreshing with just six hours of it. There is no rigid guideline about how much sleep one should have. It is not so important how long you sleep, as how good you feel during the day as a result. If you feel sluggish and dull in the morning or late afternoon, you probably need more time in bed. Sleep and wake at the same time every day in order to keep your body clock in sync.
Get Moving
This is for all you couch potatoes. You cannot feel young with a few kilos of fat round your midriff. The first step towards a beautiful body is a regular workout plan. A weight-training plan can make you feel and look young. Combined with a regimen of aerobic exercise, it strengthens your heart rate and boosts energy levels. Regular exercise does wonders to both the body and the spirit, so get going now!
Protein Overload
Protein is the most important element in nutrition. Unfortunately, most of us go overboard, which makes one feel heavy, sluggish and over time, physically feeble. For optimal health, it is suggested that we eat one gram of protein for every three pounds of weight. It helps to limit your protein based meal per day. Eat up to three-fourth of your capacity. This helps your digestive system machinery to work better.
Load up on the Goodies
In a bid to ape the west, we abuse our system with junk, aerated drinks and an unhealthy lifestyle. The good old diet of chapatti, dal, vegetables and fruits is definitely healthier and more nutritious than pizzas, burgers, or hot dogs. Avoid oil-ridden food and minimise your intake of red meat. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Load up on fibre-rich food.
Cut Out the Grease
Excessive fat intake increases free radical activity. The excess fat that we consume gets oxidized and rancid thereby producing a burst of free radical activity in the body. These free radicals are in excess of what the body can normally diffuse and cause ageing. Trying to keep weight off by cutting calories is not a very smart idea. By eating less, we risk cheating our body of important nutrients. As a thumb rule, 60-70 percent of your diet should consist of foods high in complex carbohydrates.
Supply Supplements
Since most of us are not very nutrition-conscious, we end up depriving the body of some essentials. For example, the most important disease fighters like Vitamins E and C, along with the nutrient beta-carotene help protect against heart disease and cancer but we may not be able to have enough of them. One would do well to take regular supplements of these essentials to keep the body healthy and disease-free.
Posture Problem
A bad posture can make you look much older than you are. It can lead to severe backaches. Most posture problems result from bad habits or weak back muscles. To walk tall, keep your rear tucked in, pull your chin, tighten your stomach muscles and keep your knees unlocked. If your back muscles are weak or feel stiff, begin exercising them right away!
Aqua Life
The importance of water cannot be stressed enough. Water is most underrated in our lives. We consume aerated drinks, caffeine loaded brews, but not enough water. Water is the elixir that helps the body in most functions. Water helps in the absorption of food materials through the intestinal tract. It is a detoxifying agent, literally flushing toxins out of our system and keeps your skin looking fresh. Drink about 10-12 glasses of water a day, especially when the outside dry air leaves one dehydrated with rough and dry scaly skin.
Osteoporosis Prevention
Osteoporosis can cause the bones to break easily and the healing takes time. Too little calcium eventually makes you slouch and can also lead to greater risk of crippling injury. You need to guard your bones against loss of calcium. You could get enough of it by eating calcium-rich foods such as skimmed milk, low fat cheese, yoghurt, broccoli, nuts and dried fruits. Soya bean, apart from helping you to maintain healthy bones, has innumerable health benefits.
Mental Stimulation
While a lot of us have woken up to the benefits of physical workouts, not many realize that mental exercises are equally important. Experts say mental challenges sharpen your thinking. And people whose minds stay sharp into old age, also live longer. An easy way to exercise the brain and to keep your mind stimulated is to indulge in hobbies. This will make your mind work in new ways and have the added benefits of relaxing you. Reading opens your mind to different perspectives on similar events.
