Forever Young.

From Rod Stewart’s lips to our ears, Forever Young might just be a real possibility. We’ve all heard the old adage that “you’re only as old as you feel”.  Well there is now research that actually supports that there is a lot of truth to this statement.  Researchers are finding that chronological age holds little value, that our mind and body is interconnected and that there is a real possibility that we can “think ourselves young”.  This idea could be a big contributing factor as to why different people age at very different rates.

We have all met people in their 60s that look amazing, are physically fit, active, have beautiful skin and possess a true vitality for life.  Then on the opposite end of the spectrum we also know people in their 30s that suffer from chronic health conditions, look a decade or more beyond their years with wrinkled, dull skin and an overall lack of luster for life.

Why is this? “We age not by years, but rather by events and our emotional reaction to them”.  Perception is key and how we react to situations is a big component to how we will age in general.  If we think “old” we become “old”.

Never retire from life, smile, laugh, stay involved, have a positive outlook, think young & “tweak” what you can along the way to keep your outer self looking as youthful as your inner self feels. (With a good attitude and a little “help”, your mirror will reflect what you feel on the inside.)

Let’s face it, frowning can make a person appear older.  I have personally treated many patients with Botox in their “frown lines” simply because they don’t want to appear distressed. These patients are bothered by people constantly asking them if they are upset or mad, even though they are actually feeling happy.  Most of the time these etched-in lines are a result of years of squinting or frowning thus creating a scowl that is visible even at rest.

Although there is no one stop “magic solution” to delaying the aging process, thanks to modern technology and advancements, we now have a multitude of ways to slow down or even reverse the aging process internally and externally.

Taking several approaches to maintaining youth is key. Remember, to stay youthful you need to take time to take care of yourself.  Just like going to the dentist or having your hair professionally styled, consider receiving regular “tweaks” with Botox, fillers and professional skin care treatments as part of your ongoing maintenance program.

Many people are now approaching these procedures as preventative measures rather than waiting until everything “falls apart” to do something about it.

Think about it this way, repetitive facial movements is what causes lines and wrinkles to occur, so if a person starts early enough (in their mid 20s) with small treatments of Botox a few times a year, one can actually prevent these lines/wrinkles from becoming etched into their face. Also, over time with regular Botox treatments, etched in lines and wrinkles can actually be reversed resulting in skin that is smoother and more youthful looking even after the Botox treatment wears off.

In addition to “thinking young” and cosmetic tweaks a few other key factors to maintaining youth would include, staying hydrated, not smoking, getting plenty of rest, managing stress, keeping active, engaging in fun activities, & applying sunscreen daily.

With that, I leave you with this thought…..

“How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?” – Satchel Paige