There’s a stark difference between looking your age and looking decades younger.
The difference boils down to habits. Ageing gracefully isn’t about secret potions or expensive surgeries, it’s about lifestyle choices that are within your control.
Maintaining a youthful appearance as you move into your 60s and beyond is often the result of practicing certain habits.
And those who’ve mastered the art of ageing well know that there are specific habits that can help you maintain that youthful glow without resorting to drastic measures.
Here are some habits that you might want to incorporate into your routine to help you age with grace.
1) Regular physical activity
There’s a world of difference between being physically active and living a sedentary lifestyle.
And those who look youthful well into their 60s and beyond, understand the vitality that physical activity brings.
Often, we find ourselves caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life, forgetting to prioritize our health. But here’s where the magic of regular exercise comes in.
Exercise is not just about maintaining a healthy weight or building muscle. It’s a cornerstone habit that affects your entire wellbeing, including your skin, which is the most visible indicator of age.
Think about it. Exercise increases blood flow, which helps nourish your skin cells and keep them vital. It also promotes the production of collagen, a protein that keeps your skin firm and elastic.
So, if you’re aiming for that youthful glow even as you age, regular physical activity should be high on your list of priorities.
But remember, consistency is key when it comes to exercise. Choose an activity you enjoy and stick to it. You don’t have to be running marathons or lifting heavy weights; even brisk walking or cycling can do wonders for your health and appearance.
2) Adequate hydration
Let me tell you a story.
A few years ago, I met a woman who was in her mid-60s but looked as if she was barely in her 50s. Her skin was glowing, her eyes were bright, and she had an energy that was absolutely infectious.
Naturally, I was curious about her secret. So, I asked her. Her answer? Water. She told me that she made it a point to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.
Now, this might seem too simple to be true. But trust me, the power of hydration shouldn’t be underestimated.
Water plays a crucial role in maintaining the elasticity and suppleness of your skin. It helps keep your skin hydrated and flushes out toxins from your body, giving you that youthful glow.
So, taking inspiration from that woman, I started increasing my water intake. And guess what? I noticed a significant difference in my skin and overall health.
You see, hydration isn’t just about quenching your thirst. It’s a habit that can have profound effects on your appearance and vitality as you age.
3) Practicing mindfulness
There’s something magical about being fully present in the moment.
And those who maintain a youthful glow into their 60s and beyond recognize the power of mindfulness.
In today’s fast-paced world, our minds are often cluttered with worries about the past or anxiety about the future. This mental clutter can take a toll on our physical health and appearance.
Mindfulness, however, teaches us to pay attention to the present moment without judgement. It helps us to slow down, relax, and truly engage with our surroundings.
Halfway through my journey of understanding mindfulness, I penned down my experiences, insights and practical tips in a book titled “The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment”.
In this book, I delve into how mindfulness can help reduce stress, enhance mental clarity and improve overall well-being—all of which contribute to a youthful appearance.
So, if you’re looking to retain your youthful glow as you age, consider incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine. This could be in the form of meditation, yoga, or even just taking a few minutes each day to breathe deeply and focus on the present moment.
Aging gracefully isn’t just about how you look on the outside; it’s also about how you feel on the inside.
4) Balanced nutrition
Eating well is a form of self-respect. That’s a mantra I’ve lived by for years.
When it comes to maintaining a youthful appearance, what you put into your body is just as important as what you put on it. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains can do wonders for your skin and overall health.
There have been moments in life when eating well took a backseat due to work commitments or emotional stress. The result? A noticeable change in the skin’s texture and energy levels.
That’s when I realized that my body is a reflection of what I feed it.
So, I made a conscious decision to prioritize balanced nutrition. I began to include more antioxidant-rich foods like berries and leafy greens in my diet. I started to limit processed foods and sugars that can accelerate the ageing process.
The result was surprising yet predictable. The energy levels shot up, the skin began to glow, and the feeling of well-being increased.
It’s not about strict diets or drastic changes; instead, it’s about making healthy choices consistently over time. And believe me, your body will thank you for it.
5) Embracing the ageing process
This might sound counter-intuitive, but hear me out.
People who look youthful in their 60s and beyond aren’t necessarily trying to stop the clock. Instead, they embrace the ageing process with grace and positivity.
Ageing is a natural part of life. It’s inevitable. But how we perceive this process can significantly affect how we age.
Those who accept and embrace ageing tend to have a more positive outlook on life. This positivity reflects in their personality and appearance, giving them a youthful aura regardless of their biological age.
They understand that ageing brings wisdom, experiences and growth. Instead of striving to look younger, they focus on feeling healthy and vibrant at every stage of life.
You see, it’s not about denying the reality of ageing. It’s about changing our perspective towards it.
6) Adequate sleep
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep.
Individuals who still look youthful in their 60s and beyond often prioritize their sleep. They understand that sleep isn’t just about resting; it’s an essential part of the body’s repair and rejuvenation process.
During sleep, your body works to repair damaged cells, cleanse toxins, and restore energy. Moreover, the production of collagen, the protein that keeps your skin firm and wrinkle-free, increases during sleep.
However, in our busy lives, we often compromise on our sleep. We stay up late working, watching TV, or scrolling through social media, not realizing the impact it has on our appearance and health.
So if you’re aiming to maintain that youthful glow as you age, make sure to get enough quality sleep each night. Establish a regular sleep schedule and create a relaxing bedtime routine to signal your body that it’s time to wind down.
7) Regular skincare routine
Your skin is a reflection of your internal health and the care you provide it.
People who maintain a youthful appearance well into their 60s and beyond often have a regular and effective skincare routine. They understand that their skin needs attention and care to stay healthy and vibrant.
This doesn’t mean having an elaborate 10-step skincare regime. Instead, it’s about understanding your skin type and what it needs. It involves cleansing, moisturising, and protecting your skin from harmful UV rays daily.
A regular skincare routine is like investing in your skin’s future. And trust me, the return on investment is absolutely worth it.
Reflection: It’s all about balance
Aging gracefully is not a destination, but a journey.
The journey is paved with choices we make every day about how we treat our bodies, minds, and souls.
And those who look youthful in their 60s and beyond have walked this path – striking a balance between their physical health and mental well-being.
At the core of this journey is the practice of mindfulness—being present in the moment and consciously making decisions that serve us well. It’s about embracing life at every stage and cherishing the wisdom that comes with age.
In my book “The Art of Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Living in the Moment”, I delve deeper into how mindfulness can be incorporated into our daily lives, leading us towards a balanced and fulfilling life.
Whether it’s choosing a healthy meal over processed food or embracing the aging process with grace and positivity, remember that these are not isolated events but pieces of a larger puzzle.
So take a moment to reflect on your choices. Are they serving you well? Are they leading you towards a balanced and fulfilling life?
It’s never too late to start making conscious choices that add value to your life, because aging gracefully is not just about looking young—it’s about feeling young at heart.
