Often in front of the mirror we have fun changing makeup, hairstyle and look. However, to continue to like and feel good, there is no product that holds: it is important to think about leading a healthy life and avoid running into bad habits that only create damage in the long run.
Nutrition is certainly a fundamental part of a healthy and balanced life, to keep fit and young, but there are many tricks to “cheat” the passage of time.
Work, stress and numerous daily commitments often lead us to neglect our well-being or to try remedies that unfortunately turn out to be ineffective. Or worse, we often tend to overlook small tricks that could be useful to us. It is difficult, in these conditions, to delay the effects of time on the body and mind!
Unfortunately, bad habits die hard, even if we know we have them. But how can we avoid repeating some mistakes and continue to undergo treatments or bizarre practices that make us look more older than our age?
Let’s read together what are the bad habits to avoid and what we can do:
1) GATHERING YOUR HAIR TOO OFTEN
Let’s start with the most trivial error, but for this reason also the easiest to correct. How comfortable are ponytails or buns especially during the warm months, or when we don’t have time and desire to wash our hair?
But to avoid brittling the hair or damaging the scalp, it would be good practice not to overdo it with hairstyles that are too tight and stiff.
In fact, frequently subjecting your hair to the stress of elastic bands and hairpins can cause small damage that will become more and more visible over time. First of all, the hair will appear more brittle, given the greater presence of split ends, and may begin to thin out on the temples, one of the most delicate areas.
2) LATE-NIGHT SNACKS
After an eventful Saturday night and the classic small hours of the weekend, it can happen that hunger reaches us at the strangest hours. Consuming food after midnight, however, does not help digestion at all and the type of snack is also to be chosen carefully.
If we really can’t do without it, choose a snack that is as healthy as possible, such as portions of fruit, fresh or dried. The oils it contains also help us sleep better and increase the sense of satiety.
Before going to bed, we also recommend organic peanut butter, the bedtime snack also for its nutritional values.
3) TOO MUCH HEAT WITH THE CREASE
Hair is not only a distinctive feature of ours, but it is also one of the most important business cards when introducing ourselves. For this reason, having healthy hair not only prolongs its life, making it strong and shiny, but immediately makes us look younger and more well-groomed. So be careful when using a straightener and hairdryer!
It is true that most of the time a straightener stroke may seem like the only salvation, but in the long run this operation risks damaging the hair.
Reducing the impact of excessive heat allows the hair not to get stressed and to stay shiny and healthy for longer. However, if you really can’t do without your straightener, use a heat-protective product to be distributed on the lengths before drying.
4) DON’T WEAR SUNGLASSES
You know those days when you go out for a walk, maybe in the middle of the afternoon and the sunlight forces you to squint?
Well, wrinkles around the eyes are one of the most annoying problems ever, but it is also true that the bad habit of not wearing sunglasses, first of all, can be harmful to the eyes.
Especially for those who have clear glasses, it is essential to wear glasses in case of strong light or direct exposure to the sun. Squinting does not help us avoid them, on the contrary, it encourages the appearance of unsightly crow’s feet!
5) DON’T SLATHER ON SUNSCREEN
Protecting your skin from the sun is an essential form of prevention to keep it young and healthy, especially if it is very light.
Those with a darker complexion should still apply medium protection during the first few days of exposure, while for those with a very fair complexion, high or very high protection is recommended if they are sensitive or allergic to the sun’s rays. Don’t forget your face! The day cream is also to be chosen with a sunscreen, both in summer and winter.
Yes, because UV rays exert the same, harmful action in every season. In this way, you will not only avoid the early appearance of spots, but also protect yourself from any skin cancers.
6) SLEEP WITH YOUR FACE ON THE PILLOW
Getting enough rest is one of the secrets to staying healthy for longer and respecting our skin, but the way you sleep is also important!
Did you know that some of the positions we usually sleep in turn out to be better for our health?
If, however, one of our bad habits is to rub our face on the pillow during sleep, to prevent wrinkles from forming on the face and décolleté, try sleeping on your stomach: it is a good method to avoid waking up with a swollen face. Another great idea is to replace regular cotton pillowcases with satin or silk ones: in this way, we will help the skin of the face and hair to stay hydrated for longer during sleep.
7) CHOOSING THE RIGHT PILLOWCASES
As we have just said in the previous paragraph, another aspect that should not be underestimated To prevent ugly marks that will turn into wrinkles on the skin of the face and chest after sleeping, it is good to choose the right pillowcase for our pillows.
Especially if you have the habit of sleeping on your side, it is preferable to avoid cotton pillowcases, which is in fact a highly absorbent fabric.
Even better would be to use silk or satin underwear, because it causes less friction on the skin and hair, preserving its moisture throughout the night. With a few simple gestures, your skin will immediately appear brighter!
8) THE RIGHT DIET
Diets that are too invasive and excessively strict can have very noticeable effects on our skin, hair and affect the presence of vitamins in our body.
Especially if they are do-it-yourself choices, made on the basis of nothing and without first consulting a doctor, it is best to avoid.
In fact, it is true that a correct diet is the basis of good health and a balanced life, but it is always better to consult a professional when choosing to start a diet, to be sure not to miss out on any healthy nutrient and not to deprive yourself of its benefits for the body.
9) GO TO BED WITH MAKE-UP
One of the most common bad habits is certainly that of not removing make-up well in the evening, before going to bed. In this way, not only does there be a risk of inflammation, but also the clogged pores.
In fact, the clogging of the pores not only speeds up the aging process of the skin, but does not allow the skin to breathe enough and regenerate at night.
In fact, this is the moment when it is preferable to spread the cream to ensure that it is absorbed in the best way. Always choose a makeup remover according to your skin type, the radiance of the next day will be a clear sign that you are doing the right thing.
10) GYMNASTICS AND FACIAL MUSCLES
Have you ever caught yourself grimacing strangely with your face when you’re doing something that requires some effort, like lifting weights or doing sit-ups?
Obviously, any movement of the facial muscles also involves the skin of the face, which can be affected by continuous “stretching” or strange movements and thus giving way to wrinkles and defects.
Try to pay attention to it and focus on your breathing to eliminate the problem. In addition, it is a good idea to have regular facial massages or facial yoga, even at home before bedtime, perhaps by applying a good moisturizer, to stimulate the muscles and keep them toned.
11) DON’T QUIT SMOKING
The most important of the bad habits on the list to abandon without regrets is certainly smoking.
Quitting nicotine and cigarettes has many benefits and obviously keeps us healthier. In fact, smoking, in addition to causing serious diseases, up to lung cancer, and many other ailments, ages the skin, contributes to the formation of wrinkles and changes the brightness of the facial tone.
Not to mention the bad smell and nicotine stains on your teeth and skin!
With a lot of willpower we can try to quit smoking and understand how good we can be without cigarette smoke, classic or electronic.
12) SPEND HOURS IN FRONT OF THE TV
According to a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, every hour spent in front of the TV shortens an adult’s life expectancy by 22 minutes, while those who watch television for an average of 6 hours a day live 5 years less than those who do not watch it.
Alarming, isn’t it? The reason for this is that when you sit for more than 30 minutes, your body begins to deposit sugar in your cells, which makes you overweight.
Therefore, it is advisable that, after 30 minutes of inactivity, you should get up well to take even a short walk.
13) KEEPING THE HEATING TOO HIGH
When temperatures start to get cold, the temptation to turn up the heat produced by the radiators is inevitable.
This habit, however, makes the air in the house very dry and damages the skin of the face which, without a good dose of moisture in the air, could appear drier and more inflamed, and therefore more predisposed to the formation of wrinkles and expression lines.
The best advice is to use a humidifier or a bowl of cold water in the room, so as to bring some of the lost moisture back into the air.
If you are cold in the house, instead of bringing the temperature of the radiators to the maximum, wear an extra sweatshirt or sweater instead.
14) ABUSING THE AIR CONDITIONING
If earlier it was specified how heating brought to maximum can dry out and age the skin, air conditioning is no less.
In fact, even in this case, the excessively cold temperature and long exposure to it is not a panacea for our epidermis. Air conditioning absorbs moisture from the air and makes it drier, and as a result, the skin suffers the same effect, so it dries out as it does from heat.
For this reason, it is important to provide it with good hydration and not to abuse the air conditioning under any circumstances. In addition to skin damage, temperature fluctuations between indoor and outdoor environments could cause you to get cold.
15) DRINK THROUGH A STRAW
Nowadays it is increasingly rare to find bars and clubs that offer plastic straws: usually either they are not offered, or the alternative in ecological material is proposed.
Although drinking dark-colored drinks through a straw is helpful in preventing stains on tooth enamel, the continuous movement of the lips to sip what’s in the glass is not a good habit.
In fact, it promotes the formation of premature wrinkles around the eyes and mouth and that is why it would be better to always pour drinks into the glass and drink them without using straws which, if made of plastic, also pollute.
16) SITTING BADLY
Since the spine has a natural S-shaped curvature that serves to stabilize and support us, any position that deviates the spine from this normal alignment could cause problems with muscles, vertebrae, and bones.
So, when sitting, check that your ear, shoulder, and hip form a straight line. This will be the correct posture to maintain in the chair.
When we’re relaxing while reading or watching a movie, it’s easy to forget about everything and maybe take incorrect positions. Over time, however, this tendency could lead us to suffer from back pain and also affect our general posture.
17) ELIMINATE FATS FROM YOUR DIET
By now, the internet and social media are full of nutrition advice from people who don’t have the skills to offer it. The problem is that it’s easy to be fooled into believing clichés based on nothing.
Among the other false myths to dispel, it must be said that not all fats are bad for you and must be eradicated by an age-proof diet.
In fact, to achieve and maintain a radiant complexion, the omega 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseeds, help to keep the skin soft and supple, thus counteracting the formation of wrinkles.
18) WEARING TOO MUCH MAKEUP
Overdoing it with makeup can cause your skin to age. Using too many products, especially oil-based ones, and layering them without thoroughly cleaning the skin when removing makeup, can clog pores and cause the appearance of pimples and blackheads in abundance, not to mention that the possible presence of perfumes, alcohol and irritating chemicals can dry out the skin and make it scaly.
Although these products are designed specifically for the skin of the face, which is more delicate, it is good to be careful.
This is because all these products, if not removed correctly, deplete the epidermis of its natural lipid film and thus cause the formation of premature wrinkles.
19) DON’T USE EYE CREAM
It is well known that the skin must be moisturized correctly and with the most suitable products for its type. In addition to choosing a product suitable for the skin of the face, it is also very important to spend a few minutes choosing the cream for the eye contour, which is much more delicate due to the greater thinness of the layer of skin at that point.
Even those who don’t suffer from any particular problems should still use an eye cream in their beauty routine. And it is better to prefer those products that promote the formation of collagen and elastin.
The skin around the eyes is thinner and tends to age faster, but if you keep it well hydrated and cared for, it slows down the process.
20) SLEEP LESS THAN 5 HOURS A NIGHT
Easier said than done, we know. When we have a lot of worries, stress punctuates our days and maybe we even have young children, it is difficult to allow ourselves more than 4-5 hours of sleep a night. The absence of rest, however, could have negative implications for our health.
Not getting enough sleep, in addition to promoting the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, also reduces life expectancy and also affects our psychological functions.
The optimal recommended hours for adults are usually 7, but if you notice symptoms related to sleep deprivation, such as drops in energy during the day, problems with concentration and attention, weight gain, irritability and depression, it is good to consult a doctor and take the right steps to solve the problem.
21) USING COMPUTERS AND SMARTPHONES TOO MUCH
Everyday actions, which we do almost without thinking, seem completely harmless. But no. You would never imagine that even spending too much time on the computer or using the smartphone can be very harmful to the beauty of the skin. In fact, the screen emits a certain type of light rays called HEV (High Energy Visiblelight), which are just as harmful as UVA rays.
For this reason, it is advisable to limit exposure, reduce the brightness of your PC and mobile phone, activate the blue light filter directly from your mobile devices.
In addition, to prevent damage to the eyes and eyesight, it is advisable to use special glasses or glasses equipped with a blue filter if we know that we will have to use the PC for many hours at a time. In addition, using your computer and mobile phone until a few minutes before going to sleep could result in insomnia and sleep disorders.
22) KEEP WINDOWS OPEN FOR A LONG TIME
You know, opening the windows every now and then and promoting the exchange of air in the house is a good practice to observe. But don’t overdo it! Ventilating the house by keeping the windows open, in fact, is not a bad habit, but this daily gesture becomes potentially harmful to your health if you live in the city, where the air is very polluted.
In fact, impurities in the atmosphere, dust and smog do not benefit the skin at all. Indeed! Prolonged exposure to smog dries out the skin and pollutes it.
For this reason, it is advisable to open the windows only early in the morning and never during rush hour.
23) LOSING WEIGHT TOO QUICKLY
Another bad habit that makes the skin age is excessively fast weight loss, because it causes numerous imbalances in the metabolism and thus inevitably compromises the elasticity of the skin. The first clue of these imbalances is immediately linked to stretch marks, which indicate a loss of elasticity of the skin.
In addition, it is important to remember that diets that are too strict and deprived, which allow you to lose many pounds in a few days, but are not effective in the long run nor healthy.
It is better to lose weight constantly, avoiding the onset of pathologies and sagging of the skin and by contacting nutritional biologists who will be able to advise you in the best possible way.
24) OVERINDULGING IN ALCOHOL
Going out during the week or on the weekend and enjoying a few drinks with friends is a habit of many. Yet, consuming excessive amounts of alcohol is always a bad choice that you should reconsider. In fact, alcoholic beverages reduce antioxidant levels in the skin, making it more prone to free radicals, which are responsible for cellular aging.
Although there is not yet enough research to show that alcohol alone is linked to premature aging, drinking too much alcohol certainly tends to dehydrate the epidermis, making your face dry and lackluster.
In addition to this, there is the fact that alcohol abuse inevitably leads to serious health problems: among these, all diseases related to the liver should be remembered.
25) GET ANGRY OFTEN
Facial expressions are a clear indicator of our state of mind, and it is impossible to disconnect the two. When you get angry or thoughtful, for example, your face always shows your emotions, like a mirror.
In fact, when you are sad you will tend to have a frowning expression on your face, perhaps with a furrowed brow and a narrow mouth, while anger will cause wrinkles and marks to appear on the sides of your mouth and eyes.
So it is good to relax the face and mind to prevent the skin from being too affected by these moods and taking on folds that could then remain imprinted on our face.
26) SHOWERING TOO HOT
In order not to let the skin age prematurely, it is much better to shower with cold water in summer and lukewarm water in winter. After a rainy day, when it’s freezing outside, the temptation to use a jet of boiling water is very strong.
But this habit is not healthy for our body at all. In fact, although a hot shower is ideal for relaxing, spending too much time under the boiling jet of water is objectively harmful.
This is because the skin’s protective layer is affected, so it dries out and flakes; If we then need or habit to take a shower every day and even twice a day, it is even more necessary not to raise the temperature too much, because at that point even a good moisturizer is of little use.
27) NOT DRINKING ENOUGH WATER
Not drinking enough water is another bad habit that causes the skin to age prematurely and is also bad for the body in general.
So, even when you don’t feel the actual need to drink, you need to do so and ingest at least one and a half liters of water a day, to be distributed equally throughout the day.
By hydrating the body, you will experience an immediate feeling of well-being, the brain will be more alert and efficient, limiting the appearance of migraines. The kidneys will perform their functions in the best possible way, and the urinary system will also benefit from proper hydration. In this way, you will avoid incurring infections and intimate irritations.
28) FORGET ABOUT THE SKIN ON YOUR HANDS AND NECK
In the previous pages we talked about how important it is to apply, especially in the eye contour area, a good moisturizer, suitable for your skin type. However, just as it is important to thoroughly cleanse and moisturize the skin of the face, it is good not to ignore the skin of the neck and hands.
These parts of the body also need to be moisturized and cared for daily: whether you use a lifting and anti-aging cream, or apply a cream with a sun protection factor.
In fact, these areas can reveal many more years than we really have: the skin of the neck, in itself, is extremely delicate and tends to lose elasticity very easily, while early spots may appear on the amni.
29) GEL AND SEMI-PERMANENT MANICURES
UV lamps used to dry the different layers of gel or semi-permanent nail polish damage skin cells in much the same way as sunbeds. In addition, the problem is not only limited to our skin, but also affects the nails, which gradually become brittle and thinner.
To avoid premature aging, you need to allow some time to elapse between manicures and use a sunscreen cream to prevent stains from forming on your hands.
In addition, a good habit to strengthen the nails could be to moisturize and protect them using specific products that are also available in pharmacies.
30) CHEWING GUM
You can’t always carry your toothbrush and toothpaste with you. That’s where the practical tires come in handy. Chewing gum very often, however, promotes the formation of wrinkles around the lips, because it is a habit that stresses the tissues that make up and support the skin of the face much more than it should, due to a higher activity of its muscles.
So it’s good not to overdo it and eat it in moderation, if you really can’t do without it.
Alternatively, it is advisable to replace chewing gum with mints, which do not imply this type of problem.
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