Nothing can be better and more completely empowering than being beautiful-- inside and out. To be able to own your power, direct and co-create your journey, and look and feel fabulous while doing so is a mark of epic transformation.
As a plastic surgeon, I am trained in the business of “anti-aging.” However, the term is a bit of a misnomer: we cannot reverse time, so it is not possible to age backward. But, there is fabulous news: you can help to prevent premature aging and minimize the adverse signs of aging, all while looking your best, feeling your most attractive, and simply being beautiful at any age.
Read on.
Becoming more beautiful, or aging gracefully well, involves evolving, growing stronger, gaining more confidence, and living a more beautiful life on many levels. It may seem daunting, but in offering you the tips below, I may help you ease into a healthful plan that works for you. Here are my top nine tips for healthy aging, living well, and slaying it!
1. Establish a good foundation: take care of your skin. Moisturize it, protect it from the sun, and stop touching it throughout the day! Whether with injectables or surgery—or without-- healthy, well- moisturized skin responds better to the needle, the knife and skincare products;
2. Know who you are and who you are not: understand what looks good on you and know your own face. What fits your best friend’s cheeks may not be suitable for yours;
3. Keep your mind active and your brain performing optimally; engage in lifelong learning. Knowledge keeps your brain young;
4. Avoid prolonged, unprotected sun exposure. UV rays cause premature lines, wrinkles, blotches, and skin cancer. Ensure adequate vitamin D through a wholesome diet and (medically supervised) supplementation if necessary (after your physician checks your vitamin D level);
5. Be emotional: maintain an optimistic attitude and try to live an emotionally enriched life every day. Nourish your spirituality and have faith. Explore your metaphysical core. Be present and mindful. Speak your truth—with grace and compassion for yourself and others. Look for deeper meaning. Configure these “self-help” type of adages to suit your own purpose;
6. Honor your temple with good nutrition. Eating well is the first rule of beauty. A proper eating regimen will help to ensure normal healing, maintain active metabolism, and encourage efficient elimination of toxins. If healthful eating is lacking, take vitamins and supplements as directed by your physician or nutritionist as a complement to eating well. Limit intake of sugar, fat, and alcohol. And, as the second rule of beauty is adequate hydration, stay hydrated (drink 1.5-2 liters of water daily) to help your body clear itself of what it does not need. Already eating clean? Add prebiotics and probiotics;
7. The third rule of beauty is to get sufficient sleep. Did you know that your body (and skin) rejuvenate overnight while you sleep? Give your tissues the time to reset by getting at least 7 hours of restful sleep every night according to your chronotype, the natural inclination of your body to fall asleep at a certain time each night. Listen to your body when your mind starts to drift and your eyes begin to feel heavy.
Sleep deprivation limits the body’s ability to regenerate tissues (as skin and muscle) and thus affects appearance.
8. Remain (truly) social; studies have shown that a strong social network may improve health and that close friendships may increase natural immunity. This involves real, in-person engagement; social media does not count here. If you are not super-friendly, ease into it and get out there, or consider getting a pet;
9. Exercise regularly. There is really no way around it to maintain overall health. Cardio is a baseline component of any exercise routine. If you are a yogi, add cardio. If you are a weight lifter, add cardio, etc.; and
10. Manage stress effectively and often. Avoid television and tension in the bedroom. Keep mobile devices and smartphones away from your head. Meditate, practice yoga, breathe, exhale. Find what works for you to offload stress daily and as often as you feel tight, constricted, contracted, or just blah.
Stay Beautiful and FABulous— inside and out,
Dr. Shirley Madhère