Hopefully today’s post caught your attention! I have a super helpful list for you today, and I can’t wait to share it with you. While we obviously cannot actually get younger, we can practice things that will help us look better, feel more energetic, and experience more happiness. Hopefully this list will get your creative juices flowing, and you can even add to it. While you probably can’t incorporate every single one of these every day, you can hopefully begin incorporating some into your weekly schedule.
So, how can we look better, get more energy, and turn back the clock?
1. Get good sleep
Getting deep, quality sleep is one of the best things we can do for our health. Sleep is our body’s time to renew and heal itself from the day’s activities. Even our skin is regenerating itself while we sleep (hence the phrase “beauty sleep”). Need help falling asleep or staying asleep? Check out this super helpful list!
2. Drink green tea
Green tea is loaded with antioxidants and polyphenols, both of which have been studied for their anti-aging properties. Studies have shown it to be helpful in combating skin issues such as acne. The benefits come from drinking it and using it topically. Green tea’s benefits don’t stop there. Check out this post to see what other amazing health benefits this beverage affords.
3. Exercise 4 to 5 times per week
You knew this had to be on the list, right? Exercise is the one of the best things you can do to maintain your youthful vitality! It helps you feel better, look better, have more energy, combat disease, maintain a happy mood, and have a better overall quality of life. Studies show that if you can implement this one habit (they call it a “keystone habit”), it will help you be more disciplined and productive in other areas of your life. So make it a habit by getting in 4 to 5 sweat sessions a week!
4. Take high quality supplements
High quality, food-based vitamins and minerals are a wonderful addition to any healthy eating plan. These supplements help to fill in any nutritional gaps that we may have in our diet. They also provide a wide array of nourishing and energizing nutrients from which we can really benefit. Check out this post to find out some of my favorites!
5. Cut back on sugar
Excessive amounts of processed sugar can be extremely detrimental to our health. It causes our blood sugar to spike as well as inflammation in our entire body. It has been linked to heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and a host of other health issues. Eliminating processed sugar and replacing it with small amounts of healthier alternatives can do wonders for your weight, skin, energy, and overall health. Look for healthy sweeteners such as raw honey, coconut palm sugar, or stevia.
6. Get regular massages
Stress can quickly age us! That’s why finding ways to de-stress throughout the week is so important for our health. Getting a massage has numerous health benefits, from relieving sore muscles and neck tension to detoxing our lymphatic system. Find a reasonably priced masseuse and try to visit as often as you can! (I’m moving this one to the top of my to-do list 🙂 )
7. Take a hot bath with Epsom salts and lavender essential oil
A hot bath is a wonderful way to relax after a long, hard day. Epsom salts are full of magnesium, which is known as the de-stressing mineral. Epsom salts are also a great way to detox the body. Adding lavender essential oil will help to soften the skin, soothe the mind, and get your body ready for deep, rejuvenating sleep. Click here for my favorite bath salts recipe!
8. Use a facial mask at least twice a week
Facial masks are a great addition to any skincare regimen and keeping your skin looking young. Figure out your skin type, find a non-toxic facial mask that fits your type, and use at least twice a week. You’ll begin to notice a more even skin tone, as well as a nice, healthy glow! Here is one of my favorites that really helps to clear my skin and make it glow! For more ideas on skin health, check out this post. And for my favorite skincare routine and brand I use, click here.
9. Drink lots of purified water, or herbal tea throughout the day
Drinking plenty of purified water throughout the day helps with every system in our body. It just makes our bodies run more efficiently. You’ll experience more energy, better elimination, and clearer skin. If plain water sounds too boring, then check out this post on 15 healthy beverages that will keep you hydrated and glowing.
10. Drink lemon water in the morning
Speaking of water, try adding lemon to room temperature water in the morning. This helps to wake up the liver, get bile flowing, and get your digestive system revved up to do its job. You can take it a step further and add a pinch of cayenne pepper, which will boost your metabolism to help you burn more fat. You can also try adding lemon essential oil for its cleansing power!
11. Incorporate stretch and yoga into your workout routines
While aerobic and strength training are typically the foundations of most exercise programs, it’s important not to forget stretching. Flexible muscles and joints keep us limber and help to protect us from injuries. So make sure to stretch before and after your workouts. It’s also a good idea to have days where you focus on nothing but stretching, as in yoga. Your body will thank you for it 🙂 If you’re looking for LOTS of FREE yoga videos, then you should definitely check out Yoga with Adriene!
12. Drink green smoothies and green juices
Getting more green into your diet is a fast and easy way to feel better and look younger. Smoothies are a great way to throw spinach, collards, kale or swiss chard in with other fruits, veggies, and liquids. Because you’re throwing in the full fruit and vegetable, you’re getting all that great fiber, which will keep you fuller for longer. Green juice does not contain the fiber, so it’s a great way to get all the nutrients from the fruits and veggies directly into your cells for a quick boost of energy. You can’t go wrong with a green smoothie or a green juice! To learn more about green smoothies, check out this super helpful post.
13. Take supplements for your skin
There are a lot of supplements marketed today for younger looking skin. I have tried a few of them with okay results. It wasn’t until I tried collagen powder that I saw a huge difference! Collagen is essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails. Unfortunately, as we age, our collagen production declines. That’s why a supplement can work wonders for turning back the clock. This is my favorite brand. You can add it to smoothies, juices, or yogurt, and never know it’s there!
14. Try to eat one salad every day
We all know it’s important to get more fruits and veggies into our diet. One of the easiest ways (next to the green smoothies and juices) is to eat one salad every day. Sometimes that’s easier said than done. Enter the Mason jar salad. You can make almost a week’s worth of salads in a Mason jar, with everything ready to go. All you have to do is pull it out and eat it for lunch or dinner. With a little prep work on the front end, you can enjoy healthy, delicious salads. Getting all those greens and veggies will go a long way to helping you look and feel your best. For a full tutorial on Mason jar salads, check out this post.
15. Get a good dose of protein at breakfast
Protein is an essential macronutrient which we all need for building muscle and maintaining energy. And breakfast is the perfect time to concentrate on protein. After a night of fasting and repair, your body needs protein to help stabilize blood sugar and get energy to our cells. This is a great time to drink your green smoothie. Or try gluten-free, protein-packed pancakes, Greek yogurt, veggie omelet, protein bars, My Protein Pudding or my Power Trim Bites.
16. Go Grain-free
For some people, grains can create serious health issues. If you suffer from any auto-immune condition, grains can be contributing to inflammation in your body, making you feel worse. Eliminating grains and eating a Paleo diet can bring a lot of relief and help your gut begin to heal. An anti-inflammatory diet is one of the best things you can do to turn back the clock! To learn more, check out one of my favorite health books ever!
17. Spend time reading a book every day
Feeding and nourishing our minds is just as important as feeding and nourishing our bodies. One way to do that is by spending time reading something every single day. Even if you have just 15 minutes, spend it reading books on various topics that interest you. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn over the course of a year. Commit to being a life-long learner, and you will keep your mind sharp, and it will make you feel young at heart! If you need book recommendations, check out my Reviews Section or follow me on Instagram, where I often post about what I’m currently reading.
18. Spend time regularly with uplifting friends
Everyone needs encouraging friendships, and it’s so important to make those a priority. We were created for relationships, and when we spend time with friends, we can fulfill that need for companionship, encouragement, and communication. Need more ideas on fostering friendships? Check out this post.
19. Eat more veggies
Vegetables are a powerhouse of nutrients that can make a big impact on our health. Look for ways to incorporate more vegetables into your daily diet. Try a veggie omelette for breakfast. Have a container ready-to-go in your fridge of carrot and celery sticks, grape tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers. Try roasting a big batch of sweet potatoes, asparagus, zucchini, squash, and brussel sprouts to have on hand for a week of side dishes or salad toppings. Get creative and you’ll find you start craving those veggies!
20. Laugh
It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine. There have been numerous studies done on the impact of laughter on our health. And who doesn’t want to laugh more? Laugh with family and friends. Laugh at your favorite funny movie. It releases stress, makes you feel happier, and keeps you young (not to mention it gives you a nice little ab workout 😉 ).
21. Practice Gratitude
Grateful people are happy people, and happy people look and act much younger than unhappy people. And let’s face it, they’re much more fun to be around! If you want to stand out in a world of unhappy complainers and whiners, simply smile and be grateful. Need a little help in this area? Check out this post!
22. Get more Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an amazing fat-soluble vitamin that has finally gotten the attention it deserves in recent years. From strengthening the immune system, to regulating hormones, this vitamin could be dubbed the “fountain of youth” vitamin. Much of the population falls short of the daily requirements of this essential nutrient. Are you getting enough? Read this post to find out.
23. Schedule regular vacations
We mentioned above about the importance of relieving stress. One of the best ways to do this is to schedule regular vacation intervals throughout the year. God created us to work and to rest. We can do this during the week by taking a Sabbath rest. And we can get away with our families for extended times of rest as well. Whether you travel to a destination or enjoy a “stay-cation”, make sure you are enjoying the healing benefits that come from leaving work aside and relaxing and rejuvenating both body and mind. This will make you feel years younger!
24. Encourage someone else today
Taking the time to write, call, text, or visit with a friend or loved one is a great way to take your focus off yourself and put it on someone else who needs encouragement. Taking the time to do this will put your problems into perspective and it will help to make someone else’s day.
25. Write down your goals
Last but not least, writing down your goals, both short term and long term, is a surefire way to help you live a happy, healthy, and purposeful life. Study after study shows that people who write down their goals and work toward accomplishing them are much happier and more successful in life. And, of course, doing what you love is one of the best ways to turn back the clock. If you want access to a whole library of goal setting sheets, menu planners, calendars, and more, check this out! And to learn more about how to set goals and pursue your passions and priorities, check out this helpful series.
What keeps you feeling young? I’d love to hear about it!
