1O WAYS TO FEEL AND STAY YOUNG

The Beauty Disruptor is shy of its second birthday, and I thought it was time to pen this much needed blog post. For the past two years, I have had intense interactions with women in the 40 plus category. Surprisingly I’ve also had the opportunity to interact with women in their thirties and on the verge of turning forty. The discourse is pretty much the same across the board. But the number one question that I keep getting asked is, “what do you do that keeps you so young?”
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There are a number variables that go into maintaining a youthful appearance, especially when you factor in the physical aspects. Everyone ages it different rates, so maintaining a youthful appearance is relative.  You can eat clean, workout, and have healthy lifestyle habits. But if you’re genetically wired to age quickly, then there’s nothing you can do to stop that. It’s science.  I’ve heard many women complain that they’re still aging even on Botox and  feel old. While one woman expressed that Botox has stopped working for her.

With more and more people becoming obsessed with the idea of immortality, scientists are actively trying to find ways to slow down the aging process and increase longevity.  One thing is certain, you can’t stop Father Time. Everyone is bound to experience aging once the cycle of life and death has been set in motion. 

It’s sad to see that the vast majority of people are really missing the point.  There isn’t some magical fountain of youth.  Youth cannot be found in a cream, or at your aesthetic surgeon’s office.  Youth is a feeling, an energy, and a mindset. Without an understanding of this, one is bound to grow old no matter how many cosmetic procedures they’ve had.

​As much as I try to explain this to people, it seems like they just don’t grasp what I’m saying.  So I decided to share a few ways that can help you tap into the energy of youth and maintain a youthful mindset with this little guide.

GUIDE ON HOW TO STAY YOUNG

Stay abreast of the times: This doesn’t mean that you have to follow every trend, but it’s good to know what’s out there.  Being abreast of the times means not only are you in the know,  but  you’re open to new thoughts and ideas.  Being aware in an ever-changing world opens the mind up for growth, and helps maintain a youthful attitude.

 Evolve and grow:
An attitude of rigidity will keep you stagnant and bring you down. You weren’t meant to be one way for your whole life.  Human beings aren’t one dimensional. We are multi-dimensional beings. We are changing rapidly; our thoughts, ideas, and even physical appearance are in a state of flux. 

The process of evolution and self renewal greatly affects our thought process, giving room for rebirth and to become a new improved version of self.

Learn something new: Discover new things that fascinate you and give you a renewed  purpose in life.  Always remain curious, as learning  helps enhance cognitive function. As we age, our cognitive health starts to decline. Keeping the mind sharp by learning something new or even just reading will not only keep you young, but keep you sharp-witted.  

Get rid of aging limiting beliefs: I constantly hear a lot of women speaking about age limitations. Saying, “I’m too old” for this or that places age limits on oneself and accelerates the aging process. One must be careful about the type of language used to refer to oneself. Words are powerful, and should always be used with caution and intention.  By saying “I am too old”, one becomes old.   

A study performed by Dr. Sarah Schäfer and Prof. Susanne Wurm at Greifswald University Medicine concluded that our views on aging can lead to a thirteen year difference in life expectancy.  Another research study  by B.R Levy found that people with positive views on aging live 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self perceptions on aging.  

Adopt a carefree attitude/ stress free lifestyle: One thing about children, is that they have not a care in the world. If you want to remain youthful, then you need to adopt a carefree attitude.  Life can be complicated and even stressful at times.  Adulting isn’t for the faint hearted. Finding ways to minimise stress, worrying less, and having a positive mindset can greatly affect the way you age both mentally and physically.

Love yourself exactly as you are: Women put an enormous amount of pressure on themselves to look good and maintain a youthful appearance. This mainly comes from societal pressures and negative views on aging perpetrated by the media. Modern women  in today's world are now starting to realise that aging is a beautiful thing, and that there is life after forty. 

Cultivating a loving attitude towards oneself isn’t hard to do, but takes much practice to become ingrained. Look in the mirror and start to speak loving words to yourself everyday until you believe them. Examine every part of your body (even your perceived flaws), embrace them and see the beauty within you as you. Most importantly, stop criticising yourself. 

Stop taking life so seriously: It’s true that life isn’t all fun and games.  But embracing a playful attitude towards life can make the journey fun plus a lot less stressful. Be playful and learn how to laugh. Research studies show that laughter boosts the immune system, improves cardiovascular health, regulates blood sugar levels, improves sleep and possibly memory retention.

Don’t get caught up in the numbers: Recognise the beauty of maturity and what you’ve learned over the years, both good and bad. Confidence comes with age. All the youth in the world can never replace decades of experience. 

Get out of your comfort zone: Doing things that are unfamiliar to you can feel unsettling at first.  But it’s doing the same tired, old thing over and over again that gets us in a rut.  

​One must be willing to embrace change. Regardless of what you think, change is happening with or without you.

You can either be an old relic or someone who is fearless and dynamic. When you live without  fear, you usher in an energy of newness and the unknown. If you watch babies closely, you’ll observe that they are fearless and fascinated by new things.

​Getting out of your own way allows you to see the world from a different perspective, and can help change your mindset. With a fresh perspective, you’ll also start to feel better about yourself.

Remember to Move:
Studies show that physical activity prevents disease, boosts cognitive function, ameliorates mobility, and is excellent for mental health and wellbeing. These are all important factors not to be overlooked. Staying active keeps you young in mind, body, and spirit.