“You know you’re beautiful, right?”
Flawless glowing skin and shiny healthy hair are two things that we dream of having, but are they just a myth? Do they only exist on the gorgeous models we see in glossy magazines or could we really wake up one morning and be happy with the way we look? Of course we could, “but how?” you may ask…well, by simply making a few small changes to our lifestyle and dedicating a little time to ourselves each day. Just think, by eating the right foods and nutrients we can fight off damage to both our skin and body, have more energy and prevent premature aging. Sounds good, doesn’t it? I can feel the glow already…
1. “Water is the fountain of youth”
Drink plenty of water. Our skin not only looks younger but instantly glows when we are well-hydrated. Dehydration on the other hand will have a negative impact on our complexion causing it to take on a dull, flaky, saggy appearance. I know which one I prefer!
2. “Your body is a temple but only if you treat it as one”
Eating foods that contain antioxidants like seeds, blueberries, raspberries, spinach, pomegranates, purple grapes and green tea to name a few will help fight disease and reduce inflammation which is the prime cause of wrinkle formation.
Making sure our diet is rich in colour is essential, as is thinking about what we’ve eaten through the day, so if we’ve missed a colour out, we should eat it. Where possible it’s a good idea to incorporate organic food into our daily intake which will reduce the consumption of unnecessary toxins.
3. “There’s no such thing as a healthy tan, that’s what people need to understand”
Most of us love to sit in the sun for hours at a time but do we really realize what damage we are doing to our skin?
Small amounts of daily sun however, produce vitamin D which is good for our bones but never leave the sunscreen or sunglasses at home as sun damage is irreversible.
4. “Don’t rely on labels to give you the information you need. Trust only the ingredient list and your gut.”
It’s very important that we research the ingredients that are in our skincare products, many might lure us with their pretty packaging but could contain harsh chemicals which will do more harm than good, let’s become more aware of what we’re putting on our skin and use natural beauty products.
5. “A clean home is a happy home” – but at what price?
If you’re anything like me, you love a clean house, but many of us are unaware of the amount of toxic chemicals present in the cleaning products we use. Every time we clean our house our skin absorbs them so by using non-toxic cleaning products we will not only avoid harming our skin but also other parts of our body which could be affected.
6. “Detox, destress, deflate”
We can eliminate the build up of toxins in our bodies due to polluted water, air and food by detoxing. A great way to cleanse and rid our body of them is by juice detox which will also provide us with more energy and vitality. If detoxing isn’t your thing, then a glass of water in the morning with a squeeze of lemon is also a great way to cleanse, it will boost your energy levels, give you a dose of vitamin C, help in weight loss, rejuvenate your skin and add sheen to your hair!
7. “Eat less sugar, you’re sweet enough already”
Many people have a sweet tooth but refined white sugar just isn’t good for our bodies or our skin. It’s a fact!
Apart from aggravating acne or other skin complaints like rosacea (a skin disease causing pimples and reddening of multiple parts of the face), sugar also plays a huge part in helping us age and if that isn’t enough, the more sugar we eat, the more our insulin levels increase which in turn bring us even more problems from dark patches on our faces to excess hair growth. So out with the jelly donuts, in with the fresh fruit!
8. “Get your beauty sleep”
When we’re stressed and not sleeping well, our bodies produce more of the stress hormone, cortisol. High levels of cortisol can lead to inflammation, affecting the look of your skin making it look dull and lifeless. However if we catch enough zzzzs our bodies will boost blood flow to our skin and we’ll wake up with a healthy glow.
9. “Good things come to those who sweat”
It’s true! When we sweat during exercise, we release the build up of toxins that has accumulated in our bodies. Exercise can not only tone our skin and help us feel better and more energetic but will also improve acne, wrinkles and dull skin due to the nutrients and oxygen that our blood carries to our working cells. So grab your sneakers!
10. “Use plants to bring life”
If you don’t have any plants in your house then now is the time to run to the plant store. Plants increase oxygen levels, help in decreasing dry skin issues, dry coughs colds and sore throats, remove indoor pollutants, improve memory, concentration and productivity. Let’s go green!