Why I’m all for anti-ageing…

For some time there has been a strong rejection of the term anti-ageing.  This mainly stems from the way the multi-million dollar beauty industry has advertised products to older women, by modelling them on young women, implying a product can turn back the clock – hope in a bottle, pot or tube.  This has led to anti-ageing becoming a derogatory term associated with seeing old age as some nasty disease to be hidden away, the antithesis of celebrating age.  I totally understand this, and it’s easy to follow this way of thinking but being contrary, I would like to present my take on the term anti-ageing. 

To me anti-ageing does not mean being against age but refers to the precautions we can take to help delay the ageing process for as long as possible – especially important now we are living longer.  For example, we know that the sun damages, and causes premature ageing of the skin and potentially cancer, therefore, using a sunscreen is an eminently sensible way of helping prevent this.  Bones reach their maximum density in your 20s and eating a healthy diet and doing weight bearing exercises are the best ways to slow the rate of bone loss, especially as after the menopause they lose density more rapidly.  These are what I call anti-aging measures and, of course, the earlier you start the better. Even if you were too busy with other things to bother much about the future in your youth and thought you’d live forever, it’s never too late to start. Nothing is going to turn back the clock but you can delay further damage and degeneration. However, wouldn’t you know it, there’s no easy fix and to be effective you need to keep up the good work for life.  

Usually the first and most visual sign of ageing is in your skin. As I’ve aged, my skin has lost elasticity and become dryer and thinner than it was when I was in my 30s and 40s.  First there were the fine lines, now wrinkles, the odd age spot and a few tiny veins have appeared.  I have also developed rosacea, a type of acne that affects older people.   This means I’ve had to adapt and update the skincare regimes and products I use. I have no illusion that any products are going to make me look younger, nor do I want that - my lines tell of a life well lived - but they are going to help keep my skin in better condition.  I may be older, but I still want to look and feel my best, so I attend to my skincare and apply make-up every day without fail to help even out my skin tone and add a bit of colour, freshness and, dare one say, a youthful glow!.  I love my bright red lipstick and, whilst this may seem frivolous to some, it gives me, and many others, a psychological boost.

Good nutrition and regular exercise provide the building blocks for a healthy body, just as learning new things helps keep your brain active and your mind exercised.  I can still walk for miles and do a two minute full plank, but whereas I used to be able to squat right down with my heels on the floor and spring straight up without any effort, annoyingly, now I often have to use my hands to help push myself up off the floor. I’m still quite strong and supple, but I’ve lost some muscle power, my joints stiffen when I’m still for too long and I have to practice my balance.  Sometimes I have days when my mind can feel a bit slow and foggy, whilst on others, usually when I’m feeling excited or stimulated by something new or fun, my brain feels sharp and bright. I want to fully embrace my old age and enjoy my life to the full, so combating these elements of ageing makes keeping up physical and mental exercise, adopting healthy habits and good skincare even more imperative.  It may take more effort as time goes on, but I am determined to keep up my anti-ageing programme.

What’s your take on anti-ageing?