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5 Simple Ways to Stay Looking Younger for Longer

Feb 24, 2018

The most difficult things you’ll face at the menopause aren't any of those stereotypical menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats and putting on weight around the middle.

It’s the prospect of getting older.

Because we want to stay as young, gorgeous and energetic as we have always been. We don’t want to think about grey hair, wrinkles or any of that stuff.

We don’t want to get flabby, tired and unattractive- we want to glow with health and keep that sex appeal. Right, ladies?

You’ll be pleased to hear that you can keep ageing at bay and stay looking younger for longer with a few simple tricks which I’m here to tell you about today.

But first, let me explain a little about a hormonal friend of mine, Human Growth Hormone, or HGH for short.

What’s HGH?

I’ve spoken before about this hormone in my guest post ‘Take Control of the Ageing Process’ (on the Henpicked website), but let me quickly recap. Basically this hormone is responsible for the growth and repair of your body. It’s been working hard since you were a child to turn you into that stunning woman you are today.

Trouble is, after the ripe old age of 35 (!), levels of this hormone start to decline, and we see those tell-tale signs of ageing like wrinkles, laughter lines, grey hairs and a decline in eyesight.

Once we hit the menopause years, our HGH levels fall off a cliff and we can end up feeling frumpy and unattractive. This is called the female somatopause.

The decline happens to us all, but its effect on our bodies depends on how we spent the years before the menopause. Smoking, late nights, drinking too much alcohol and coffee, not getting enough exercise, chronic stress all play a part, as do genetics.

This means that you can influence how fast you age if you can control these lifestyle factors.

Follow these five simple tips to stay younger looking for longer:

 

#1: Get your lights out before 10.30pm

We all know that we need to be getting plenty of shut eye to stay looking young and beautiful, but did you know that when you drop off is just as important as how many hours you’re getting?

Human growth hormone is released between 11pm and 2am so if you’re not asleep between these times, you’re really going to be missing out. I do this- I set an alarm to go off at 8.45pm to remind me that I need to start winding down for bed. I switch the TV off and start my soothing bedtime routine. By 9.30 or 9.45pm you’ll find me tucked up cosy in bed and (hopefully), sound asleep by 10pm.

It’s not just HGH which is released during the night. Other hormones are regulated or released during sleep, which means you really need to start getting to bed earlier if you want to ease your general menopausal symptoms too.

 

#2: Make sure you’re drinking enough water

Did you know that up to 80% of our bodies are made from water?

Over the course of a day, our bodies use a surprising amount of water for regular body functions, like keeping your brain hydrated, keeping your kidneys healthy, and nourishing your tissues.

If you’re not replacing what you’re using, the result is dehydration, a dull complexion, tired, dry and brittle skin and a complete lack of energy.

Your best bet is to make sure you drink eight glasses a day, or do this quick calculation to find out exactly how much you should be getting:

  • Step 1: Take your weight (in pounds) and divide that by 2.2.
    Step 2: Multiply that number depending on your age.
    Step 3: Divide that sum by 28.3.
    Step 4: Your total is how many ounces of water you should drink each day. Divide that number by 8 to see your result in cups.(1 cup water =235ml)

(Source: Hydration for Health)

Buy yourself a reusable water bottle (not plastic), fill it up and keep it with you. Sip often and you’ll soon reach your eight glasses per day.

 

#3: Build that muscle!

Declining levels of oestrogen and HGH at the peri-menopause and menopause mean that your body finds it much harder to build and maintain muscle mass (and bone density too). The result is an older-looking, weaker you.

But it doesn’t have to be that way if you start building that muscle now!

Start with 30 minutes of total body exercises three times a week and you’ll get stronger, fitter and leaner in a short time without causing yourself additional hormonal problems.

There are some wonderful short workout videos on YouTube which I highly recommend you try, or try a local short fitness class if you’d prefer to exercise and socialise at the same time.

 

#4: Eat more protein

Dump cereals, bagels and toast for breakfast, followed by sandwiches, pasta and other carbs for lunch and dinner and instead load up on the proteins.

Protein helps build your strength, keep you feeling satisfied between meals, help stop you snacking and boosts your production of HGH, so it’s well worth prioritizing at every meal, including breakfast.

Also be sure to include plenty of leafy greens whenever possible to help boost your vitamin and mineral intake and get your skin, hair and nails glowing with health.

 

#5: Boost your antioxidant intake

If you want to keep your looks post-menopause, make sure you’re including plenty of antioxidant-rich foods in your diet.

There are literally thousands of these compounds and they’re found in all kinds of foods including fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea, wine, and chocolate and help prevent your cells from damage. This means you’ll help protect your body from various illnesses and stay looking young.

Get as many as you can by filling up on a variety of multi-coloured vegetables and fruits, and be sure to include one particular antioxidant called glutathione as much as you can. This has been called ‘The Mother of all Antioxidants’ as it helps protect your body from premature ageing, infections, chronic stress, environmental toxins, and much more.

Great sources include green veggies like broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, greens, kale, watercress and cauliflower. To help your body create glutathione, also eat folate-rich foods such as beans and lentils, spinach, liver, asparagus, avocado, beetroot, brazil nuts, tuna, oily fish, grass-fed beef, and much more. You can find a full list on Dr Axe’s website.

I love the fact that looking younger for longer isn’t as difficult as you might think. Provided that you get plenty of sleep, eat lots of nourishing foods, exercise, and drink enough water, you’ll stay stunning looking well past the menopause and into your golden years.

How do you stay looking young? Do you have any tips you’d like to share with the community? Come over to my Facebook page and let us know!

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