approaching 30

" We're fast approaching 30..."

Well ... the big '30' approaches! One of our main concerns is looking after our health, whatever age group we're in.

Aging is depended on lifestyle and our genes. However, how we live and where can have an impact on our looks. Here are some facts:

Excessive sunning	Add 20 years
Regular Sun bedding	Add 20 Years
Stress	Add 3 years
City Living	Add 5 years
Crash Dieting	Add 10 years

Our skin in our 30's develops more fine lines as elastin and collagen start to break down in the skin. It also becomes drier, quicker. The delicate skin under the eyes begins to thin. Broken red veins show as tiny red dots. Pore size increases and the skin may become rougher from sun exposure.

NEVER CHANGE ENTIRE SKINCARE REGIME ALL AT ONCE. Introduce new products one by one!

Some other aging PROBLEMS are:

ALCOHOL
LACK OF A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP!
POLLUTION
SMOKING
SUN

So, how can we help? what are some SOLUTIONS to make ourselves feel and look great ?! ...

Cut down on alcohol and smoking. Did you know, how the body repairs once you've quit the cigarettes?

After 48hrs	Taste buds and sense of smell work better
After 72hrs	You breathe easier and energy levels rise
2 to 12 weeks	Circulation improves. Walking/ running requires less effort
After 1 year	Chances of heart disease go down by a half
After 10 years	Risk of suffering lung cancer is reduced by between 30 and 50%

Use anti oxidant creams or creams featuring SP15 (the minimum daily protection for the skin)

What we eat plays a very big part in how we feel and the aging process. For optimum health, what we eat should be divided up as follows:

Carbohydrate	70%
Fat	15%
Protein	15%

However, research shows that, in reality people consume more like:

Carbohydrate	28%
Fat	40%
Protein	12%
Sugar	20%

Take in essential nutrient antioxidants - Vitamins A, C and E, Selenium and Zinc. These protect against free radical damage; enhance collagen repair; and generally promote skin healing! Look at the Flora Project chart about healthier eating and best foods from my doctor by CLICKING on the lady diver below!

Get a facial every 6 to 7 weeks. They are not only good for the skin, but also for reducing stress levels! Try some Aromatherapy anti-aging essential oils for a facial massage: Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose otto (Damask rose), Sandalwood.

SLEEP ON ONE PILLOW ONLY/ HAVE COMPUTER MONITOR AT EYE-HEIGHT. These points will stop you getting the dreaded 'double chin' !

Not enough Sleep is always our problem with such a hectic lifestyle/ doing shift-work. A serious fact I read about recently, was paying off your 'sleep debts'. Did you know that "loosing 1 hour's sleep a night for a week equals loosing 1 nights sleep (around 8hrs)?!" It's obvious really. Some symptoms of this are itching/ burning eyes, blurred vision, headaches and/ or feeling chilled, waves of sleepiness or fatigue, irritability/ weepiness, short-term memory loss. Some solutions are: Manage stress better; eat well and finish eating your evening meal 2 hours before bedtime; avoid caffeine in the afternoon/ evening; take regular exercise; have a regular going-to-bed pattern; don't do work in bed! ; keep bedroom warm but not stuffy.
Swimming is the all round best form of exercise! Also try Yoga!

Exercising once or twice a week (for half an hour) reduces the risk of heart disease by nearly 40% compared with no exercise

Get some help for stress!

Hands-on	Healing, Massage, Reflexology,
Alternative	Acupuncture, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Flotation therapy, Meditation, Music Therapy Nutritional therapy
Self-help	Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga

Some simple instant energisers to make you feel good are: Rub ear rims and lobes; Pull and wiggle fingers of each hand in turn; Shake hands vigorously, up and down, side to side; Pull, rub and wiggle the second big toe of each foot.
Some simple helpers on getting and feeling healthier are:

Regular Exercise	*Strengthens muscles and bones (helping prevent Osteoporosis- bone loss), keeping your figure in shape/ Makes you feel and sleep better!*
Fresh air	Vitamin D from the sun helps absorb calcium (for bones, teeth etc)
Reduce Dairy Products	*Although the benefits of such foods are a good source of calcium, these foods can cause a whole load of allergies and skin complaints (e.g. eczema)*
Regular meals	The body expects you to eat well at certain times during the day. This helps it get fuel equally throughout the day and helps your digestive system, therefore helps you sleep.
Reduce Caffeine	Try to reduce intake of coffee, tea and chocolate. These affect the body, mind and well-being (e.g. too much chocolate affects the figure!)
Relax	Stress, strain and feeling under pressure starts adrenaline production which damages bones, sleep patterns, skin condition
Cut down Alcohol and Smoking	It goes without saying!

Your hair is your crowning glory. Some good foods for great hair are: Loads of fresh fruit and vegetables, live yogurt, pulses, whole grains, fresh oily fish; Drink loads of water; Cut down on dairy products, caffeine, sugar and salt.

Some great 'natural' products for looking after your hair can be found in your fridge/ cupboard at home! Try:

Lemonade Detangler - put lemonade on hair for 5mins. Shampoo and rinse after. The citric acid in the lemonade closes cuticle layers and sets hair cortex back to pre-tangled state!

Run and egg Conditioner - Mix an egg yolk, half a teaspoon of Vitamin C powder and 2 teaspoons of dark rum. Apply to hair, leave for 10mins and wash after. The albumen and lecithin in egg yolk revives hair, rum stimulates scalp, vitamin C helps adjust scalp's acid/ alkali balance, encouraging shine!

Tomato Sauce Colour Corrector - The chlorine in swimming pools makes lightened hair 'khaki-ish' in colour. Apply a generous dollop to well-combed, dry hair and massage well. Leave for 30mins and shampoo. The pink tones in the sauce neutralise the khaki colour.

DON'T EVER PLUCK A GREY HAIR. It doesn't kill the hair follicle or make the hair grow back to its original colour. It just distorts the follicle making regrowth more wiry and obvious!

Before plucking and restyling eyebrows - Brush them with a brush (a spare toothbrush is great!), then stroke them through with Vaseline to keep them neat (I use Body shop's Sage and Comfrey Blemish Gel instead which soothes skin).
SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) is triggered by the lack of daylight. At night the pineal gland produces a hormone called melatonin, which makes us drowsy. The light of day stops this gland. However, on dull winter days not enough light is present to start the 'wake-up' process. In SAD sufferers this body-mechanism doesn't function very well causing lethargy (lack of energy), less control of your appetite - perhaps gaining weight and in some cases, depression. The solution seems to be light/ or photo therapy.
Spider veins (or broken veins) are not broken but more noticeable under the skin where it thins with age. They at genetic (especially for pale or fine-skinned people). Other causes are hormonal changes, the Pill, HRT, injury, sunburn and alcohol. Regular exercise helps to improve circulation. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods. If (like me!), you have them already, there is electrolysis and laser treatment (to name a few).