I found my first gray hair two months ago. A part of me died inside, but the other part was like “Well, I guess it was inevitable.”
While we all wish we could find the fountain of youth every time we find a new gray hair or a wrinkle, there are plenty of more realistic ways to help slow the effects of aging.
This post is sponsored by ChromaDex, but all opinions remain my own.
Simple daily adjustments can make a huge difference not only in the way you look, but how you feel and think. I mean, isn’t life better when you look and feel better?
After some initial humming and hawing over saggy this, wrinkly that and a few how-did-that-get-theres, here are some things I finally settled on committing to in order to help slow the hands of time.
Get More Sleep
According to the American Sleep Association, 37.9% of people reported unintentionally falling asleep during the day at least once in the preceding month.
Do you fall into that category? Are you so exhausted that you randomly fall asleep? {Raises hand}
The Cleveland Clinic writes that if you don’t get enough sleep each night, it can negatively affect your immune system, mental capacity, and even put you at higher risk for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and even premature aging. Yikes! So pack in those Zzzs, folks.
Get Moving
Regular exercise helps improve circulation and boosts the immune system which can give the skin a youthful glow. Yes, please! If you need motivation, just think about how great your skin will look while you are puffing away on that treadmill.
If that doesn’t do it for you, my commitment is to only be able to watch my favorite shows if I’m on the treadmill. I use my Kindle to download episodes and watching them while run/walking makes the time fly!
I’m usually able to pump out about 5 miles in an hour, without even flinching. Ok, maybe a little, but I can honestly say I look forward to going to the gym every day now.
Take Your Vitamins
Taking a daily vitamin is an important part of your daily routine, but I’ve learned that you can’t just take any ol’ vitamin. It is important to do your research and take a vitamin that is designed to give your body what it needs to function on a higher level.
I have been searching for a vitamin that specifically works to help combat the signs of aging, and I may have found my own fountain of youth in a bottle. TRU NIAGEN® is a vegetarian, gluten-free, caffeine-free dietary supplement that has been proven to increase the body’s levels of NAD.
Uh. That’s nice, but what is NAD? Glad you asked.
The coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is found in all living cells, and it aids in cellular metabolism and energy production and even helps regulate circadian rhythm. Niagen is the key ingredient in Tru Niagen, and it is a nature-identical form of the vitamin nicotinamide riboside (NR), which is a unique form of B3 that increases NAD in humans. The makers of Tru Niagen own robust intellectual property rights to the production and distribution of NR, so you know this product is “the real deal”!
You picking up what I’m putting down? In short, you want more NAD, and Tru Niagen has been proven to help.
A daily serving of two capsules contains 250mg of Niagen to help give your body what it needs to be a better, healthier version of yourself and combat the effects of aging. Sounds awesome to me, but does it work?
I’ve only been taking the supplement for about 2 weeks, and while I can’t say I look years younger or I can all of a sudden run a marathon, I CAN say that taking two capsules each morning has done SOMETHING good. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’m not having to rely on coffee to “wake up” and I’ve been able to concentrate on work longer (I’m pretty easily distracted).
But don’t take my word for it. Beauty and lifestyle expert Kym Douglas is always on the prowl for new products to keep her looking and feeling her best, and she has become smitten with Tru Niagen. She even sat down for an interview about the vitamin, and discussed the importance Tru Niagen plays in cellular health.
One of the things with this product is that it starts with your cells, have you ever thought about healthy cells?
I think that’s what’s so interesting about this product, because Tru Niagen talks about cell health and cell rejuvenation. I do a lot of talking about our skin, and how to topically treat things in the beauty world. But when you think about it, it really is our cells that we need to keep at optimum level of performance. Then we can truly be the best we want to be. That’s why I was very interested in trying something like this.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
Some studies have found that large amounts of sugar and carbohydrates can lead to premature aging, while a well-balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables can actually prevent the effects that leads to premature aging.
Protect Your Skin
Who doesn’t love a tan?! Your skin, that’s who. :(
Too much sun can cause skin cancer, skin damage and even premature aging, but we continue to subject our bodies to those harmful rays. Protect your skin from the sun, and if you can’t live without a tan, get a good self tanner.
Your 40-, 50- and 60-year-old self will thank you for it!
Drink More Water
The human adult body is about 60% water. So when we become dehydrated, it can wreak havoc on our body systems as well as our skin. An American source advises we should be drinking 6-8 glasses per day.
Thing is, when we are fully hydrated, our skin is plump and resilient, which helps disguise those pesky wrinkles. Yes, please!
Value Your Time
Stop saying yes to everything!
It is hard to tell people no, but it is an important lesson to learn. Sometimes we just need a reminder that our time is valuable, just like everyone else’s, and we don’t have to pack our schedules with the demands of others.
Part of taking care of ourselves is valuing what is important to us. Learning to value your time and telling people “no” will open up your schedule so you can make the time for the things that help you be your best you.
Family, exercise, sleep, hobbies…Start taking back the clock!
Stop Scrubbing Your Face
I’m so guilty of this. I just love that squeaky clean feeling and all those times the instructions said not to tug and pull at the delicate skin around my eyes.
I did it anyway.
Always gently wash your skin with a quality cleanser. Better yet, try some natural skincare solutions.
Avoid scrubbing too aggressively, as it can irritate your skin which in turn can cause premature aging. And that doesn’t help anyone.
Skip the Alcohol
Alcohol is extremely dehydrating and damaging to the skin which can increase aging. Get rid of it. AHHAHAAHA. Of course, if you can’t ditch the libations altogether, at least take it down a notch.
Stop Apologizing
Women are notorious apologizers. However, repeatedly apologizing has a negative effect on our psyches, and it can make us feel insecure and inferior. I would venture to say that at least half of the sorrys that come out of our mouths in a day are unnecessary.
Start replacing sorry with a more positive phrase. Instead of “Sorry, I’m late,” say “Thanks for waiting for me.” This not only has a positive effect on you, but also on the recipient who is being thanked, instead of being given excuses. I just might be on to something here, right?
Ditch Negative Friends
“Stay close to people who feel like sunlight.” —Xan Oku, 19th-century Chinese poet/American poet
Finding happiness is a huge part of our journey in this world. Why do we surround ourselves with people that infect our lives with negativity? Get rid of those people that bring you down.
Life is too short to be unhappy and no one looks good with frown lines. No. One.
Happiness and joy is catching, so spend time with people that bring positivity and light into your world.
Learn all about Tru Niagen here!
