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The
fact that we enjoyed perfect velvety skin in our teenage years
is not reason enough to enjoy it throughout. Sun damage is cumulative
and can be seen on our skin a decade or two later. The skin on
our body needs the same kind of love and care as our face.
Dull, coarse and lifeless skin is a result of a generally
toxic lifestyle, and healthy eating, proper exercise and body
brushing can make a dramatic difference.
Grab the Veggies
Your diet supplies the nutrients needed by the cells to keep
skin, hair and nails looking healthy. Therefore, it is
important that you feed your body a well balanced diet.
Vegetables are actually ‘longevity’ foods; they are clean
burning, ‘high octane’ fuels that return the cells causing
premature ageing.
Veggies like tomatoes, carrots, broccoli and green leafy
vegetables like spinach are packed with vitamin A and C,
beta-carotene and fiber. These nutrients not only make your
skin glow, but even help in destroying cancerous cells and
preventing heart attacks.
They are also loaded with calcium – the mineral your body
needs to keep your bones from buckling. Vegetables are rich in
healthy carbohydrates and devoid of fat or cholesterol, making
them good for the heart.
Poor eating habits can cause temporary hair loss, cracks in
the corner of your mouth and brittle nails. Your skin can
bruise easily, heal slowly and look dull, drab and ‘ashy’.
A good diet, on the other hand will keep your skin looking
healthy and toned, and sport a fine texture and color.
Besides, a healthy diet will keep skin diseases at bay. In
fact, if you eat right, you won’t need to take vitamin
supplements. In short there is no substitute for veggies.
Fitness Goals
Exercise is surprisingly enjoyable, good for the self-esteem
and carries significant benefits for the quality of our lives
and our health. Be it yoga, aerobics or walking, and no matter
how little of it, it is important for both physical and mental
health.
Exercise is a panacea for boredom, tension, anxiety and even
PMS. Working up a sweat is natural and healthy, a vital
requirement for a balanced, fulfilled life.
Exercise improves blood circulation, which helps in the
reproduction of new cells, besides getting rid of all
impurities to reveal radiant skin. But when you don’t
exercise enough, the blood circulation is sluggish and the
skin receives less oxygen. As a result, your skin may look
dull and sallow, one that lacks luster. In fact, it might even
aggravate acne.
It might take some getting used to, but once you get started,
your body and mind will get accustomed to the exertion and
actually hunger for it.
Simply Brush it Away
Body brushing is a good way to stimulate blood circulation.
Because the skin is an organ of elimination (and the largest
one in the body), many toxins can be eliminated if you
stimulate the circulation and the lymph system by brushing the
skin.
Use a loofah or a body sponge and brush in circular motions to
remove the dead skin cells. Pay special attention to the
elbows, knees, shoulders, the back and thighs. Do this every
day before bathing or showering. Also, keep the temperature of
your bath water a little higher that of your skin so as to
stimulate sluggish circulation.
Smoother skin is a spin-off of this toxin-eliminating regimen,
which leaves you feeling invigorated and truly bright-eyed. |
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