Anti-Ageing wellness isn’t just about the long term; sometimes, a few late nights and early mornings can make you feel 10 years older than you really are. So how do you give your wellbeing a quick boost? We’ve got some top tips from experts and readers to help you bounce back in no time.
1. Eat Red: According to nutritionist Robin Kaye, if you want superfoods to fight that ageing feeling, you can’t go wrong with red foods, like watermelon, berries, and tomatoes. Berries, for example, are antioxidant-rich anti-inflammatories, meaning that they can protect you against age-related mental decline, and help keep your brain healthy. Kaye adds, ‘Tomatoes and watermelon contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant with anti-ageing properties.’
2. Laugh and Smile: Wellness writer Anna Davies notes, ‘Whether you dig SNL skits or prefer watching baby sloths scamper around, dozens of studies prove that laughter reduces stress, which makes you feel light-years younger in the moment — even if you’ll be back to squinting at spreadsheets in a few minutes.’ Moreover, a recent study has found that smiling can make you appear three years younger than you actually are. So say cheese!
3. Lighten up: Donna Perillo, founder of Sweet Lily Natural Spa in New York City, advises, ‘Avoid vamp-y reds or dark purple polish, which can draw attention to any imperfections on your hands. The best way to avoid sunspots, crepe-y skin and other age-related evidence is to exfoliate your hands weekly with a self-made sugar scrub.’ Mix up half-a-cup of granulated sugar, half-a-cup of olive oil, and a few drops of essential oil for a sugar scrub that takes years off your hands.
4. Hit the Town: Research has shown that having strong social ties can lower your blood pressure, reduce your stress and guard against dementia – all of which are important for helping you feel young – so grab your BFF! Seattle resident Cass D., 35, details, ‘Whenever we’re feeling a little too bogged down by everyday life, my best friend and I schedule a girls’ night away from our husbands. Last time, we went to a bar that’s frequented by a lot of students at the local college. We danced, we laughed, and yes, we may have harmlessly flirted with one or two college seniors.’
5. Make Time for Tea: While the health properties of tea may seem too good to be true, Robin Nielsen, a nutritionist in Morgan Hill, CA, asserts that tea lives up to the hype. ‘Hydration is key for looking younger,’ Nielsen explains. ‘And tea is one way to make sure you’re getting enough liquids. Plus, studies have found green tea can help us retain elasticity in our skin as we age.’ Teas have also been shown to bust stress and boost energy – as if you needed an excuse to put the kettle on!
6. Slather on Sun Cream: Davies points out, ‘Not only does slathering up — even on cloudy or cold days — help prevent the wrinkles and sun spots that’ll add extra years over time, but the scent triggers nostalgia, which has a whole host of benefits, including self-esteem enhancement and feeling more socially connected to the people you’re surrounded by, all of which may make you feel the years falling away.’
7. Make Sure Your To Do List is Realistic: Ronald Kotler, MD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and author of 365 Ways to Get a Good Night’s Sleep, warns, ‘The stress hormone cortisol ages the body, inside and out. If your to-do list is a mile long and you’re constantly thinking about it, you’re living the stress response all the time.’
