Appearance matters

"Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful."

~ Sophia Loren

One of the most common questions I get from friends and family is “How do I get rid of my wrinkles?”

Because wrinkles haven't been my priority, I've had trouble answering this question. But the conversation invariably leads to, “What are your thoughts about [the latest miracle cure]?”

Usually I am clueless, find myself initially intrigued, and at times even wistful. But after a little research I come to my senses, recognizing propaganda when I see it. Most of these products or treatments mask symptoms; do not address underlying cause; therefore can be very costly over a lifetime. There's a lot of money to be made by selling instant gratification. 

Sadly, constant media exposure to flawlessness is exacerbating the growing trend of appearance distress, especially among our youth. I feel their pain and am truly grateful that I did not have this added pressure growing up. We have created a market of people seeking quick fixes, just to fit in, and willing to splurge no matter what the cost (physical or monetary). 

This week I will share some daily habits that promote more sustainable physical beauty. Next week, I will share some guidelines on how we as parents can help inspire our youth to embrace their perceived physical imperfections, and offer some suggestions for more natural remedies, so that they too can age well gracefully.

Let me start by acknowledging that 'looks' have always mattered. And in fact Harvard research confirms that when we look good, we feel good, and our health reflects it. Not only did women who'd just had their hair done feel younger, but independent observers perceived them to look younger, even though hair was shielded in pre and post hairdo photos. And, women who perceived themselves younger, had lower blood pressure. Clearly, appearance impacts health. 

Having always felt somewhat insecure about my own appearance, I still do mask some of my perceived imperfections. I have not embraced my very early on-set grey hair, which I go out of my way to camouflage with natural hair colour. Guilty as charged - not entirely ageing gracefully. Occasionally, I get a pedicure. And, very infrequently, I get a facial. I buy and apply personal care products and cosmetics from the health food store.

Why the health food store? Frequently, it's better value and cleaner. The skin has incredible absorptive capacity. That's why patches are used to deliver medicine directly into bloodstream, bypassing liver detoxification. Some of us are less resilient than others. So, I read ingredients and check Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Skin Deep database to assess product safety. But, I am fully aware that sustainable beauty comes from within. 

Healthy daily habits to promote long term beauty

For me these include:

Eating healthy fats like avocado, nuts and seeds, fish, some fats from naturally raised animal products.

Staying well hydrated with water, herbal teas and a colourful array of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Avoiding refined flour and sugar products. Refined carbohydrates create sticky proteins that promote wrinkling.

Consuming homemade bone broths and occasionally adding collagen protein powder to green smoothies.

Oil pulling, and at times brushing with activated charcoal to help maintain a clean, bright smile.

Supplementing vitamin C with bioflavonoids to enhance healthy collagen.

Refraining from relying on hormones, other than melatonin (after menopause and to mitigate jet lag). Although medicinal hormones can be useful for some debilitating short-term symptoms, they are band-aids with side effects, no matter how natural. Monitoring these effects is too time consuming and costly, and no expert can determine what is optimal for you. 

Engaging in active daily living, which improves circulation and detoxification naturally.Dry skin brushing and rebounding on a mini trampoline. (Ok. Wishful thinking.)

Honouring light dark cycles to facilitate optimal hormone production - a non-negotiable for me.

Practicing safe sun exposure, to convert my cholesterol to natural vitamin D - among other health benefits. I am not sun phobic, recognizing countless ways in which it nourishes us. But, like other sources of nourishment, there is a u-shaped curve to its benefit. Too much and too little is a problem. I now seldom expose myself, unprotected, for more than 15-20 minutes, 2 to 3 times per week, enough for me to create a healthy dose of vitamin D - naturally. When out for longer I use sunscreen from the health food store, again checking out EWG Skin Deep for safer products.

Having no time for commercial TV, or other media advertisements, I am not nearly as influenced by the latest fashion trends. I'm pleasantly oblivious. I enjoy peace of mind.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Look and you shall find.

We are all innately beautiful in some way. Let us look for inner beauty, in oneself and others, and acknowledge it every chance we get. Being one of five, second oldest, with far prettier sisters, I did not get attention for my looks growing up - fortunately. I found other ways to feel loved.

Remember: our thoughts, beliefs, words and actions manifest our reality - personally and culturally.

Think beautiful thoughts. Feel beautiful. Act beautiful like Sophia Loren. Conceive a beautiful world. What we conceive we can achieve...

Organically ;)