Am I the only one that LOVES birthdays?
My birthday is in January and I celebrate the whole entire month!
I’ve always been a huge fan of birthdays because it’s YOUR day and my Mom made them special for us growing up, so I continued the tradition into my adulthood.
Speaking of adulthood, when most people see or meet me, they think I’m 10 years younger than I actually am.
It never fails.
Anytime anyone has ever guessed my age, they always assume I”m at least 10 years younger.
And while I’m not caught up in vanity or society’s obsession with looking younger, I think this is a dope misconception because it’s a testament to how I live my life and just how beneficial living a healthy life really is.
So, in honor of my birthday month and this common misconception, I wanted to share with you 5 of my secrets to looking 10 years younger.
I’m a Grandma
Not only is my favorite show of all-time the Golden Girls, what I mean by that is I’ve ALWAYS prioritized my SLEEP and make sure I get at least 8 hours a night. Sleep is one of the most crucial yet overlooked components when it comes to having a healthy mind and body. When you sleep, your body rejuvenates itself from the day’s work and stabilizes your body’s hormones. When you don’t allow your body enough rest and rejuvenation, it starts to break down over time due to being overworked and overloaded. I’ve always intuitively known this and anybody that has been around me for a long time knows how serious I am about my sleep, and you don’t want to be around me if I haven’t gotten enough.
I Manage My Stress
Stress is a silent killer and before it kills you by breaking down your immune system, it ages you. You’ve seen those people who look awful because they’re always stressed or unhappy about something. So, I make sure that I manage my stress by implementing self-care strategies like meditation, journaling, reading, connecting with nature, etc. Because at the end of the day stressing over something that you can’t change is not worth your health.
I Stay Hydrated
Being an athlete, I was always drinking fluids to stay hydrated, and this has stayed with me into my adulthood. I don’t drink soda or juices (unless it’s 100% fruit juice – not the other crap) and I’ve also never been a big drinker in terms of alcohol so that helps a lot too. Guys, we’re made up over 70% of water, so it’s a good idea that we drink the liquid that we’re most made of to assist our bodies to function properly. If you need help increasing your daily water intake, watch how I reach my daily water intake for more tips.
I Limit My Sugar
I don’t eat a lot of candy, cakes, etc. because sugar is one of the many causes of inflammation which is the precursor to disease. And while I had a major sweet tooth earlier in life, I’ve been able to basically eliminate those cravings or they’re less frequent because I’m eating a balanced diet and giving my body what it needs to thrive and not foods that cause me to look and feel sluggish. If your cravings are out of control, it may be time to figure out what’s causing your cravings.
I Love to Laugh
Like Rose and her bubbly personality, I like to laugh and have a good time. And while my personality is a mix between Dorothy (levelheaded and practical), I am also like Rose and like to see the good in things and be silly sometimes. Laughing is a great stress reliever (decreases those stress hormones), good for your heart, releases those feel-good endorphins, boosts your immune system which helps keep you young. I mean look at the life Betty White lived and how great she looked at 99! Laughing is good for the heart and soul so I like to laugh and be silly sometimes and I believe that has helped a lot as well.
There you have it!
These are just some of the ways I’m able to stay young in mind, body and spirit.
No crazy supplements or creams, just good simple living.
I’ll leave you with a bonus: AGE IS A MINDSET
How you live your life is a reflection of you.
If you feel old, and act old, then you’re going to look old.
Are you implementing these simple practices into your life?
If not, when can you start so you can start feeling and looking more youthful?!
Health & Happiness,
💚 Jen
