Stress and aging are inevitably linked—aging can lead to more stress and more stress, in turn, can speed up the aging process. A lot of men and women spend so much of their time and energy worrying about aging well that they’re actually accelerating the aging process. Or maybe you don’t worry about aging well so much as you’re overwhelmed and worn down with the stresses of everyday life. In either case, it turns out that all you need is a little peace and quiet.

The art of meditation has been practiced for centuries as a means of elevating stress and promoting relaxation and inner peace. Many health professionals maintain that if we can control the body’s stress response, we can shape our body’s ability to age better. In other words, changing your state of mind can change your state of body. That’s why meditation is one of the easiest and most inexpensive anti-aging secrets. The key to aging well and feeling younger can be as simple as learning to clear your head through meditation. There are a few key reasons why meditation is the answer to aging well.

Meditation and Melatonin

One of the reasons that meditation allows for aging well is because it has been shown to increase the level of the hormone melatonin in your body. Melatonin is what regulates your body’s internal clock, which means it helps to regulate your sleep cycle—your brain naturally secretes more melatonin when it’s dark versus when it’s light. Like many other hormones, melatonin production decreases with age. Meditation boosts melatonin, which affects sleep, which is good for aging well because when you’re properly rested, you’re better able to address other means of aging well, like anti-aging fitness, nutrition, and skin care habits.

More melatonin isn’t just good for regulating sleep. This particular hormone is also critical to aging well because of its antioxidant properties. Research has shown that increased levels of melatonin can protect against free radical damage, prevent heart disease, manage blood sugar levels, and lower blood pressure. Melatonin has also been shown to be helpful in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Because your melatonin level naturally decreases as you get older, increasing it through meditation can help to improve your overall health, therefore ensuring that you’re aging well.

Meditation and DHEA

 

Meditation also boosts the production of DHEA, another hormone that affects aging well. Lower levels of DHEA in the body have been linked to several age-related conditions, such as heart disease, osteoporosis, and immune system disorders. DHEA may also be effective for improving bone mineral density (which can prevent osteoporosis), as well as improving the look of aged skin by increasing thickness and reducing the visibility of age spots. Like melatonin, DHEA reduces with age—meditation increases DHEA levels, which, as we now know, influences the process of aging well.

Meditation and Cortisol

When you’re stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol—the longer you’re stressed, the more cortisol your body will produce. Too much of this hormone can be detrimental to aging well, as excessively and continuously high levels of cortisol have been linked to several unhealthy conditions, such as imbalanced blood sugar levels, decreased bone density, decreased muscle tissue, high blood pressure, and compromised immunity. Meditation can significantly reduce your levels of cortisol by engaging your body’s relaxation response.


How to Start Meditating

If you’re interested in taking up meditation to promote aging well, start by finding a quiet space; that means leaving behind your cell phone, pager, and any other distractions. Sit in a comfortable position and focus your mind on an object, like a picture on the wall or a spot on the floor. Concentrate on your breathing—feel the air go through your nostrils and fill your lungs as you inhale, and focus on slowly exhaling. If you have a hard time concentrating, which you probably will, try counting your breaths—slowly count up to five as you inhale, and back down to one as you exhale.

Start with four to five minute sessions. The goal for aging well is to try and work up to doing at least 20 minutes of meditating twice each day. It’s easier to commit to it if you do it around the same time every day, like first thing in the morning or right before bed.

This article One Easy Way to Trick Your Body Into Aging Well was originally published at Agein a leading source for Anti Aging Advice

Sources:

“DHEA,” MedlinePlus web site; http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/331.html, last accessed August 27, 2013.

“DHEA and DHEAS: An Introduction to Their Function and Measurement,” Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing web site; http://fpb.case.edu/smartcenter/docs/SpitCamp/DHEA%20and%20DHEAS.pdf, last accessed August 27, 2013.

Eksteins, A., “Meditation may be the Future of Anti-Aging, Part I,” Natural News web site, February 14, 2010; http://www.naturalnews.com/028157_meditation_longevity.html.

Kelley, C., “Beyond Sleep: 7 Ways Melatonin Attacks Aging Factors,” Life Extension Magazine web site; http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/sep2012_7-Ways-Melatonin-Attacks-Aging-Factors_01.htm, last accessed August 27, 2013.

“Meditation: A simple, fast way to reduce stress,” Mayo Clinic web site; http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meditation/HQ01070, last accessed August 27, 2013.

Rose, A., “Fight off ageing with meditation,” body+soul web site; http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/sex+relationships/wellbeing/fight+off+ageing+with+meditation,11793, last accessed August 27, 2013. 

Scott, E., “Cortisol and Stress: How to Stay Healthy,” About.com web site, September 22, 2011; http://stress.about.com/od/stresshealth/a/cortisol.htm.

 

Plantae is a certified natural and organic skincare brand from New Zealand,  inspired by nature and based on vigorous scientific research on skin care, raw materials, plants and their  therapeutic properties.

All products contain 95% or more certified organic ingredients and are sourced from local ingredients where possible in NZ from sustainable and certified farms.

Certified organic by BioGro, New Zealand’s leading organic certifying authority.

Formulated by lab technician Carol Priest and turned into a sustainable business with her three daughters.

Chikii have sent me the Balance range,  suitable for all skin types.     

All products are very reasonably priced and contain high quality organic ingredients.  

Purchase here with Free shipping from Chikii, just add FREEORGANIC at checkout.   

 

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Balance Phyto-Nutrient


Day Cream


I couldn't wait to try the phyto-nutrient day creme as I noticed one of the ingredients was Vinanza Grape – a superfruit extract made from Sauvignon Blanc Grape Seeds, I thought this sounded interesting and was curious to see the effects on my skin.

This is a lush, velvety creme, which contains the exotic oils Myrrh, Jasmine Sambac, Bitter Orange and Vanilla Fruit extract.  Also contains evening primrose oil, proven to keep skin looking youthful due to the omega oil properties.   

The consistency is just right – not too thick, but creamy enough to know that it's properties are penetrating and doing their job.  I always use moisturisers on my decollatege as well as my face, a good test for me as this is where I see aging first.  

This is where the Vinanza Grape came into action, keeping the elasticy and firmness in my skin and smoothing fine lines, I'm so glad I've come across this ingredient in organic skin care.  Combined with the essential oils (especially Myrrh which prevents skin degeneration), this is a pleasure to apply and use every day to keep wrinkles at bay.

Balance Extra Gentle & Revitalising

Cleansing Milk

Another reason I wanted to try the Balance collection is becuase I love Bergamot, the uplifting scent always seems to lower my stress levels and Bergamot oil is very good for my acne prone skin, evening out and brightening a dull complexion.   

The other key ingredient is the amazing Sauvignon Blanc Grape Seeds extract, loaded with anti-oxidants.    

It has a creamy texture which doesn't lather up (this a good thing, it means there are no nasty chemicals).   It leaves a moist, supple feel to my skin
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I'm a big fan of spray mist toner's, the pump bottle makes it so much easier and quicker to apply and leaves a refreshing feel.

Contaning Bitter Orange oil which has an earthy and green scent very similar to Neroli, it smells soft and sweet and is the perfect pick me up, it's also a very good natural astringent which doesn't feel harsh on my skin and reduces swelling.

The other key ingredient is the skin firming Sauvignon Blanc Grape Seeds extract.     This is the perfect toner before moisturising.  

I used it any time I felt my skin and senses needed a quick lift, a mist of this felt lovely to use on hot days.     

Are you often wondering in the morning ‘What should I wear today?’ Or maybe you want to stay ahead of the latest beauty trends? Before, we would have to rely on magazines, celebrities, and the occasional website for fashion and beauty advice.

But now we can use apps to help us get inspired. Here are our favorite beauty apps to help you look your best each day. All you need is a smartphone, like an iPhone, Android or Blackberry 10, as well as your own style and creativity.  

Beautified

This helpful app helps you score appointments at your city’s top salons. That way, you can not only make space for personal beauty in your busy schedule, but you can also have the privilege of having the best stylists work their magic on you. It’s also a great way to find a new salon if you want to try something different.


Closet

Closet helps you plan outfits in advance by storing an inventory of all the items in your closet and then letting you mix and match. Aside from being a great way to pass the time, it’s also fun to try out different combinations and create a new winning outfit.


Pretty in My Pocket

This app is like a database of all sorts of helpful beauty information from today’s top publications, blogs and makeup artists. It has everything from new techniques to reviews of the best products. It also offers coupons and also a barcode scanning feature if you want to learn more about a particular product. 

Pose

This mobile version of the social networking site is the perfect way to decide whether you should buy an outfit. All you have to do is take a picture of you trying on a new item of clothing in the fitting room, and then other users can comment “Yay” or “Nay.” That way, you’ll never need to struggle over whether or not that new dress really suits you. (Pic: heartifb.com)

Beautylish

Complete with tutorials, product reviews and reports on new trends, Beautylish is a great way to stay in the know about the all things beauty. Besides all that, it also offers an online store where you can purchase the products used in the videos. It’s a fantastic way to find indie products and cool stuff not found in mainstream stores, as well as learn new style ideas and color combos. 

 

A Final Note

These are just a few of the wonderful beauty apps out there that make it easier to look your best.  To find one that’s a perfect fit for your style, spend some time looking online or ask around. You’re certain to find the perfect app for you, if not more than one!

Either way, though, it is important to look your best so that you make the best impression possible, in both your personal and professional life. On top of that, don’t wear too much make-up and you're looking as natural as you can! Who knows? Maybe a first date or a big promotion will be in store for you. Just keep looking gorgeous!