Over the last few months, we have looked at four of the five pillars of face yoga: exercise, massage, acupressure, and meditation. There is one final pillar to consider when looking a ‘what makes a healthy skin’ – wellness and lifestyle.
The terms ‘wellness’ and ‘lifestyle’ encompass a vast array of subjects but, in a nutshell, everything we do on a daily basis impacts our health in some way and in turn it has an effect on our skin and how we age.
Lets’s look at the key ones that influence skin health:
The power of good nutrition...
We all know how important good nutrition is to our health so I’m not going to wax lyrical here, but I will highlight how each of the food groups can support the skin:
Protein – is essential for the body. It helps us heal and repair. It gives us strength and energy. Eating protein supports the production of collagen and elastin that improves skin tone, gives skin its elasticity and strengthens the hair and nails. Good sources of protein are meat, fish, eggs, dairy, legumes, soya, and nuts.
Antioxidants – Free radicals are external conditions that affect the skin; consumption of sugar, alcohol, smoking, over exposure to the sun and stress are a few. Eating foods high in antioxidants can slow and/or prevent this damage, improving skin tone and general health. Food high in antioxidants are berries, green leafy vegetables, walnuts, and oats.
Healthy fats – Good fats help to break down the bad fats stored in the body. They help to lubricate the skin giving it a younger looking, firmer appearance. You can find healthy fats in oily fish, avocados, nuts, seeds, coconut oil and olive oil.
Hydration is the key...
It is common knowledge that drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day helps to hydrate the skin and remove toxins from the body reducing puffiness in the face.
Less commonly known though is the importance of eating your water. Water from fresh fruits and vegetables is more hydrating than water from a glass. The natural cellular water in fruit and vegetables is full of alkaline minerals & enzymes that feed and hydrate our cells when we consume them. They also contain fibre that helps the cells better absorb their water content, rather than it pass straight through our systems like a glass of water.
The benefits of a good night's sleep...
When we are asleep our skin as time to repair and regenerate. As the body rests the stress hormones decrease reducing inflammation. Improved circulation helps to bring oxygen and much needed nutrients to the skin supporting cell renewal and collagen & elastin production. In addition, increased circulation supports the removal of toxins from the skin. It’s also a great time to use a good moisturiser to improve the skins hydration.
To support good sleep aim to create a regular sleep routine. Some things to consider would be:
- Try to go to bed and wake up at the same times each day.
- Don’t go to bed hungry.
- Try to wind down at least 30 minutes before bed.
- Make sure your bedroom is not too hot, you will have a more restful sleep if your room is cool.
Get your body moving...
Exercise benefits the skin in several ways:
- Our heart rate rises, pumping blood and oxygen around the body. This encourages the cell renewal and brings vitality to the skin.
- Exercise stimulates the lymphatic system encouraging the removal of toxins and waste.
- A reduction in stress levels reduces inflammation and can reduces stress related facial expressions resulting in fewer lines and wrinkles.
- Studies have shown that moderate exercise taken daily by a group of 65-year-olds over a three-month period resulted in a reduction of skin age in the participants
- Exercise improves overall health, and this will have a general impact on the skin.
Happy mind, happy skin...
Stress can be incredibly damaging to the skin. It inhibits the production of collagen and elastin leading sallowness and sagging. When we are stressed, we tend to look tired and older. Poor circulation leaves the skin dull and lifeless and if we suffer for extended periods of time facial expressions like frowning can lead to deep set lines and wrinkles.
Using relaxation and positivity techniques can reduce the symptoms of stress improving the health of the skin. Techniques to consider could be:
- Deep breathing
- Writing a gratitude list (each day write down three things you are grateful for)
- Use positive affirmations to set a happy intention for your day, for example, I am peaceful and relaxed.
Feed the skin from the outside...
The wellness techniques above are all internal ways to promote a health skin but it also helps to support the skin externally too. Using good skincare products daily are a must when it comes to healthy skin. Cleansing the skin morning and evening removes dirt and make-up, removes dead skin cells, unblocks pores, and naturally exfoliates the skin. Adding moisturiser to clean skin prevents dryness, increases cellular turnover, soothes sensitivity, and gives the skin a healthy, vibrant glow.
You can enhance your regime and treat specific skin conditions by adding serums, oils, and a weekly face mask to your routine.
Combining the five pillars...
At “In the Glow Face Yoga” we love to PRO-Age. We can’t beat the aging process, but we can certainly age in a healthy, enjoyable way.
Our classes, 1-1 programmes and (soon to be released) membership programme combine all five pillars of face yoga to give you a complete health and well-being solution that results in healthy, glowing and youthful looking skin.
For more details of all our services and to join the membership waitlist visit: https://bit.ly/FaceyogaLive
