Fourth Step This aspect of you involves the physical realm. This area has many implications and could easily be a very large book. Since we exist in the physical realm it is easy to associate the physical aspects of agelessness more readily. I will briefly touch on the various ways to slow down, reverse, and shift the process of aging. The physical realm is massive, impossible to address in a few paragraphs, so lets discuss some of the areas most people think about like skin care, managing your weight, being energized, keeping your mind sharp, and remaining flexible and pliable. Skin care Your skin is your largest organ and covers your entire body. It consists of pores that allow things in and let things out. Sweating is vital to release toxins from within your body, which is one reason antiperspirants are so harmful they stop sweating, and that keeps the toxins in your body. Many also contain aluminum which has been proven to contribute to various diseases. Never use a deodorant that contains propylene glycol because this is a toxic chemical that is found in brake fluid and airplane de-icing fluid. Would you want that in your body? Did you know that everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your blood stream and carried throughout your body in literally seconds? Kind of scary, isnt it? So if everything that you rub onto your skin anywhere on your body goes directly into your body, it means you must be able to eat whatever is placed on your skin! People want to look young so they continually spend large sums of money on skin products purchased from drug stores to upscale spas. Many of them claim to reduce wrinkles and create firmer skin. Some of them help this to some extent, but many are full of toxic ingredients that are undermining your overall health and creating multitudes of toxic build-up within your body. Also understand that younger skin has more to do with what you put into your body than on it. However, it is important to take care of your skin. So lets talk about both of these areas. Since everything you place on your skin is absorbed into your blood stream, it only makes sense to use products that are wholesome and pure. Your best choices are organic ingredients as these will be free of harmful toxic substances. Here are some definite nos. 1.Laurel sulfate or laurel sulfeth these are foaming agents used in products such as body gels, toothpaste, shampoos and conditioners, bubble bath, and similar products. It is known that one drop can remain in the brain for days and can damage the immune system, eyes, liver and heart. It is a mutagen highly toxic. 2.Propylene glycol a synthetic petrochemical mix found in de-icer and brake fluid used as a preservative in many products. 3.Parabens methyl, ethyl, butyl, propyl inhibitor of bacterial growth that extends shelf life, a preservative. It is known to cause skin rashes, allergic reactions, highly toxic, and has been linked in a high percentage of cases to breast cancer. These are present in skin and body products, even make-up. 4.Synthetic fragrance one fragrance can have as many as 250 (some health advocates say as much as 800) chemicals included in it all highly toxic to your body. 5.Synthetic colors cancer causing agents anything that says FD&C or D&C i.e. red, blue, yellow. 6.UREA - a preservative used similar to parabens can release formaldehyde at just over 10 heat. It is highly toxic to your body. We talked about unhealthy choices, so now Ill share some healthier choices. There are wonderful moisturizers that are inexpensive and really nourish your body, such as: shea butter, rose oil, jojoba oil, Hawaiian kukui oil, unrefined coconut oil, cocoa butter, avocado, and many more. There are companies that produce organic skin products that are much more beneficial for you. Lily Organics is one of my favorite product lines as most of their ingredients are organic, good enough to eat! I have seen remarkable transformation of my mature skin since using them. I know this because people continually tell me my skin looks good. Aubrey Organics, Jason Naturals, and Jurlique of Australia are all companies that provide organic, healthy product lines although every product may not be totally organic. Read the labels. Pay attention to what you are putting on your skin. If you wish more information please feel free to email me with your request. All of these companies have a website listed at the conclusion of this article. Note: Be sure that you follow these 3 simple rules for your skin every day: hydrate, exfoliate, and moisturize. Equally important, if not more so, is what you take inside your body through diet and what you breathe. Although there are many things that are necessary for youthful skin, were going to address a few of the important ones. 1.H0 This is vital! You should be drinking ounce pure water per pound of body weight every day! Other liquids do not count in this for you consist of over 70% water and must refill the reservoir daily. In addition, water removes toxins by flushing them through you, thus aiding youthful skin. 2.Omega-3 fat You cannot overdue this important nutrient for all of your body. Its a lubricant that provides easier elimination of waste, more flexibility of joints, more supple skin, less pain, shinier/healthier hair, and so on. The omega-3s are also vital for hormone balance as all hormones in your body begin with good cholesterol, which is created through good fats. Get this through consuming cod liver oil and fish oil daily best choice is Carlson Labs products as they are contaminant-free. 3.Lots of organic veggies From a recent survey I learned that over 60% of Americans do not eat any vegetables per day. That blew my mind. Veggies contain vital nutrients that keep you younger and healthier because they provide necessary vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and fiber to keep you healthy. It is best to consume 6-8 dark or brightly colored vegetables and fruits every day. 4.Protein The animo acids found in protein are needed for connective tissue, adrenal glands, muscle and joint strength/health, and of course to keep your skin looking firm. Many people do not eat enough protein every day since so many people skip meals or eat a meal on the run, grabbing something quick and easy. Rule of thumb, at least as a starting place, is 30% of every meal and snack should be protein! 5.Choose organic Its known that organic produce, hormone-free meats, poultry, and dairy, raw and fresh foods, whole grains, nuts, seeds, have a better effect on your health than non-organic, processed, cooked foods. More nutrients are found in the organic products without chemicals. Chemicals age you faster as does sugar, white flour, and table salt. There are many other important things to enhance your agelessness, perhaps adding a few supplements to your daily regimen, but since each person is a unique individual there is no one format that will be a healthy choice for everyone. Its best to do some detective work and research what works for you. Exercise should be part of your life because exercise helps you with agelessness. First of all, it helps keep your body slimmer, and we know that slimmer bodies contribute to better health. Second, it keeps you more limber and flexible. Thirdly, it helps toxins to be released from you through movement and sweating. Fourth, it assists hormone conversion and your metabolism. Exercise could be walking, swimming, stretching, bicycle riding, playing tennis whatever works for you. Is has been said that walking is one of the best ways to exercise as it is a natural state for a human being - easy on your body, as well as it connects you with nature. Use your mind! Read, write, do crossword puzzles, anything and everything to stimulate your brain. When you dont use it, you lose it a fact of life! And then all you can think about is your aging self. Do things for others visit someone, cook a dish for someone who could use a touch of love, do community service, work part-time or even full-time. The more active you are the better you will feel about yourself and your life. The following are dietary choices that are most detrimental to your health and will age you the fastest: 1. Trans fatty acids any processed non-organic oils
2. Sugar white processed sugar, corn syrup, fructose, all sugar substitutes
3. Caffeine
4.Alcohol While there are many other things that disrupt your health, the above named items tear down your immune system and adrenal function in the worst way. Your adrenals are your stress indicator with the purpose of keeping your body in a constant state of equilibrium hard to do in this world today, so even more important to not overload it further. Your immune system fights free radicals from invading your body and destroying your health. If it isnt strong, well, I bet you know the result of that! Hormone balance is important for agelessness. This includes sex hormones, adrenals, thyroid, pituitary and others. Each is vital to agelessness since hormones are your main age fighter. Using natural progesterone cream is usually necessary to offset the overload of estrogen prevalent in our society today. Utilizing expanded tests that alternative health practitioners perform for your thyroid and adrenal function is another avenue to pursue for agelessness. 80% or more of our population experiences adrenal fatigue on some level during their life and many never get it restored to normal balance. Hormones normally decline as years advance, but so often people experience a more rapid decline due to their lifestyle choices. It makes sense to use some assistance in this area but be careful not to use synthetic hormones or randomly use any hormones without proper testing for deficiencies. Imbalanced hormones are a prime contributor to weight gain and loss of energy even more reason to pay attention to your hormone balance. Elevated cortisol levels and lowered DHEA, found in your adrenals, are known to add weight, reduce energy, cause multitudes of health problems, and age you faster. Lowered thyroid function can do the same thing and often goes hand in hand with adrenal fatigue. Read my article on Adrenal Fatigue found on my website for more information. Fatigue, lack of energy, and lethargy are common complaints as people get older. When your body is balanced and healthy, this does not occur! Fatigue simply means there is imbalance and it could involve your diet, lack of exercise, toxic liver or colon, low thyroid or adrenal function, and many other possibilities. Getting back in balance isnt always easy, but with perseverance it can be done. Ive been way out of balance in the past and through due diligence and much perseverance I reversed my physical imbalance so that now I am balanced. You can do it too! Recap There are many things required in the physical realm to restore and maintain your health 1. Pay attention to what you put on your skin many ingredients are highly toxic.
2. Make healthy choices with your diet you are what you eat!
3. Exercise.
4. Use your mind dont use it and you lose it!
5. Weight gain has many contributors; hormone imbalance is one.
6. Balance can be accomplished with perseverance. Note: Its your choice! As I mentioned earlier, this section on diet and skin care could easily be a very large book. There are many people with many different ideas in the world. Some things will work better for you than others the way it is for every aspect of life. Begin with small steps and make a few changes. Know it takes times to undo what youve been doing for many years. Never give up because its the one who continually focuses on what she/he wants who gets it! |
