Five Everyday Habits to Look and Feel Younger

Five Everyday Habits to Look and Feel Younger

It may not be the fountain of youth, but these five easy tips will help you look and feel your best for years to come.

Start Strength Training: Even though strength training workouts use a lot of energy, you’ll actually have more stamina for the rest of the day, says Dani Singer, certified personal trainer and fitness director of Fit2Go Personal Training. “You’re improving your body’s efficiency,” he says. “Everything else becomes easier.” Tasks like walking up the stairs or cooking dinner will suddenly be easier compared to the effort you put in at the gym. It can also reduce stress, increase muscle tone which in turn decreases fat, boosts your metabolism and encourages healthy bones which can prevent osteopenia and osteoporosis. Make it a goal to get active at least four times a week.

Drink Less Alcohol: alcohol can dehydrate skin, increase inflammation and prevent getting high-quality sleep which all contribute to a dull and tired appearance. Long-term side effects can be even worse including liver damage, cardiovascular disease, chronic physical and mental health issues and multiple types of cancer.

Smile: Young, middle-aged, and older individuals studied thousands of photographs and were asked to guess the age of models with various facial expressions. Neutral expressions yielded the most accurate results, and fearful expressions made subjects look older; happy faces were rated as younger than they really were. In addition, avoid foods that will stain your teeth such as dark soda, red wine, coffee, tea, balsamic vinegar and red sauce. And find a teeth-whitening solution that works for you! Whiter teeth can give you a brighter smile and the appearance of a young, fresh mouth. Brushing your teeth with baking soda is a natural remedy you likely already have in your pantry. Lastly, don’t skip regular visits to the dentist!

Embrace Your Aging Body: many people, especially women, try to use makeup and hair dye to maintain their youthful appearance but may actually end up doing the opposite. Sometimes less is more! Although coloring your hair may make you feel younger, don’t feel attached to it. “For some women, upkeep becomes impossible and you actually look younger and fresher with a full head of gray or white natural hair with a gloss over it, rather than fully covered,” Mast says. The same goes for makeup. Try to avoid heavy concealer which will only accentuate wrinkles, lighten your eye liner and only apply to the top lid, highlight your eyes and go with a blush or neutral lip.

Update Your Wardrobe: Dress for the size you are, not the size you were—but hiding in big, baggy clothes isn’t flattering. Tailored, clean lines look sharper. “It’s not about volume but the cut of a garment,” Haver says. “It’s better to break free from hiding yourself in your clothing and stand tall and proud in well-fitting garments—not only will you look better but you’ll give yourself an emotional boost by allowing you to step into your star power.” Pay attention to the neckline you choose to wear. A classic V-neck with a collar creates a linear line that makes us look taller and thinner, and the bit of a collar detracts from the appearance of an older neck while spotlighting our face,” Haver says. Choose the colors of your wardrobe wisely. Factor in your skin tone, hair color and versatility. Classic neutral colors are always chic, if you want to incorporate color do so with accessories or a layering piece. Stay away from trending colors that may be unpopular in a year or two to avoid looking dated in the future. And lastly, as comfort is very important, try to avoid ugly orthopedics. It’s well worth trying on different footwear brands to find the shoes that are the most comfortable and stylish for you.

Elise Rosato