This past weekend I spent Sunday at Washington Park in Denver. It was 80 degrees and the perfect weather for a picnic in the park and hanging out with the hundreds of dogs that are with their owners. Although I had a blast, my skin was fried. I didn’t even think about applying sunscreen, and I definitely paid for it. When it comes to keeping our skin healthy and youthful, many of us rely on products like moisturizers and spot creams and lotions. However, certain lifestyle choices could have an equal impact on our skin. Here are just some changes that could help to preserve your skin’s smooth appearance.
Stop smoking
Smoking does all kinds of damage to the skin. Not only is it a nasty habit, but it also restricts blood flow to the skin causing a pallid appearance as well as preventing wounds from healing. The nicotine in cigarettes meanwhile can cause skin to take on a yellowish appearance. On top of this, smoking is a leading cause of facial wrinkles particularly lip wrinkles as a result of the drawing action. Take efforts to stop smoking and you could prevent this skin damage.
Consume less sugar
When it comes to spots and inflammation, sugar can be a big trigger. Sugar spikes our insulin levels which makes our body more reactive to inflammation. Refined sugars are the worst types and are most commonly consumed through soft drinks. Stick to natural juices where possible, or for an even healthier option stick to water and milk as often as possible.
Get more sleep
I love love love my sleep. Sleep helps our body to heal, fighting scarring and inflammation such as rashes and acne. It can also fight wrinkles – sleep deprivation is known for causing bags under the eyes, which can become permanent over time. How much sleep should you be getting a night? Is 5 hours of sleep enough? It depends largely on your age and daily activities, but in almost all cases you should be aiming for more than 6 hours of undisturbed sleep. Going to sleep earlier, taking naps and using measures such as comfortable bedding and blackout curtains could all help you to get more sleep if you’re struggling to get your shuteye.
Reduce stress in your life
Stress releases cortisol into your body – a hormone that makes the skin more reactive to inflammation. This cortisol also makes our minds more alert, which can affect sleep quality and in turn create further skin damage. Eliminating stress completely from your life is practically impossible, however you may be able to find times to destress and flush the cortisol out of your body. Activities like exercise, meditation, taking a bath and listening to music are all good stress relievers.
Stay safe in the sun
The most common cause of wrinkles is sun exposure. In extreme cases, too much sun exposure can also lead to serious conditions like skin cancer. Wearing sunscreen is important, but you can also give your skin a break by staying in the shade on a hot day or covering up. Wearing sunglasses can also prevent crow’s feet from forming around the eyes which are a result of too much squinting.
Drink enough water
Finally, keeping hydrated could also help to strengthen your skin. It helps to increase the blood flow to the skin, which gives us our skin its color. You should ideally be drinking 8 cups of water per day.
xoxo
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