There comes a point in every man’s life when he may want to feel and look younger.
Ever since you hit forty – maybe even before then — you realized you could no longer just hop out of bed without hearing something pop. You’ve heard it said a thousand times that ‘Time waits for no man’, and now that your birthdays are starting to pile up that statement feels more and more real by the minute.
Check out these tips and find out how to start feeling and looking like you’ve turned back time, or stopped it altogether.
1. Pay attention to your skin
Your skin is one of the first things you’ll notice changing as you age. Therefore, taking good care of it can shave off several years from your appearance. First of all, you’ll need to keep it moisturised. Products containing retinoids and antioxidants like Vitamin C are a go-to because they reduce oxidative damage done by free radicals and replenish the collagen in your skin which keeps it supple and firm. If you’re not a fan of fancy creams, something as simple as olive oil can do the trick.
Furthermore, don’t forget to apply sunscreen after moisturising. Preferably, get a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. This is especially important if you’re an outdoors person. Protecting your skin from UV light not only reduces the appearance of wrinkles and brown spots, but it also lessens your risk of developing skin cancers.
2. Show your teeth some love too
Your daily routine for optimum dental health should include brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing and using mouthwash. It’s basically what your mother has been telling you to do since you were a kid. Also, endeavour to visit your dentist every six months to keep things going in the right direction. Consider professional whitening if you notice discolouration of your teeth. Over-the-counter whitening products are also helpful. A brilliant smile is an instant charmer and gives you a more youthful look. If you find that you’ve started to lose your teeth, think about getting veneers. Dental care can be a huge investment, but well worth the boost in confidence and overall health that you gain in return.
3. Don’t forget your hair
Greying hair, thinning hair, no hair at all — these are some of the battles you may have already begun to endure as you wonder what happened to your boyish mop of locks. If you don’t mind being a silver fox, be sure to groom your grey hair. Shorter hairstyles will also give you a smart and well-groomed look. Also, try using silver shampoo to give you a more youthful look. It will get rid of any yellow or brassy tones in your grey areas and is a much better option than hair dye. Dying your hair can be very obvious, no matter how hard you try to hide it. If you’re going bald, all is still not lost. Consider having FUE hair transplants for a permanent solution to your hair loss and enjoy once more, the enviable ‘full head of hair’.
4. Cut loose the excess hair
While you try to maintain the mane on your head, don’t forget to tame the less-desirable hairs everywhere else. Nothing says ‘grandpa’ like a bunch of hair sprouting out of your ears and nostrils. Get an easy-to-use nose and ear hair trimmer and be sure to groom your beard and moustache as well ( if applicable). Shaving your beard has an added benefit of exfoliating the skin beneath and keeping it healthy by removing accumulated dead skin cells and dirt. Also, while getting a haircut, have your barber trim your unruly eyebrows while he’s at it. Keeping excessive hair growth in check will keep you looking more like the dapper gentleman you are, and less like the rundown Santa on the street corner.
5. Watch what you eat
This just makes sense if you want to live a long and healthy life. Incorporating healthy foods such as spinach and salmon into your diet can revitalize your body and keep it rejuvenated, provided you’re not stuffing your face with junk on the side. This means you’ll need to watch it with all the crisps and red meat and try to look into healthier options. The Mediterranean diet can do wonders for the body and includes foods such as fish, nuts, olive oil and lots of vegetables. Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet and cutting down your intake of refined sugar will make you look and feel excellent even as the years pile on.
6. Try to avoid smoking
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times — smoking kills. It increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and numerous other health problems. As if that’s not enough, smoking also causes you to age faster. According to the Mayo Clinic, the nicotine in cigarette smoke causes the blood vessels in your body to narrow. This includes narrowing of blood vessels in your skin, which in turn reduces your skin’s blood and oxygen supply. Free radicals accumulate and damage the proteins in your skin, leaving it looking sallow and saggy. On top of that, smoking also yellows your teeth and leaves you smelling quite unpleasant even hours after your last smoke. It should not come as a surprise then that a habit of smoking is a massive obstacle in your quest for a more youthful appearance.
7. Live for something
Set goals for yourself and take purposeful steps to achieve them. Living a life of purpose will give you something to look forward to every day and drives away all the staleness that tends to plague men of a certain age. As your retirement creeps closer, begin to involve yourself in activities that will keep you engaged. Things like volunteering with a local organization, spending more time with family, and learning a new language or skill can help keep you busy and keep the boredom at bay. If you allow your inner self to lose momentum and drive, expect it to begin to show on the outside as well.
8. Exercise regularly
This goes hand-in-hand with a healthy diet. You don’t need to be a gym rat with outrageously toned abs in order to look your best. Even moderate exercise, like a 30-minute brisk walk three to five times a week, is a huge plus for staying healthy and maintaining your vitality. Take note, however, that your body is not what it used to be, no matter how healthy you are. Listen to your body, and don’t overdo your exercise regime. You risk injuring yourself and setting yourself back a number of weeks, months or even years, depending on the type of injury. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan to make sure it is compatible with your current body status.
9. Revamp your closet
Consider getting rid of clothes you haven’t worn in years. They either don’t fit you properly anymore or are out of style — or both. Consider donating your old clothes to a local charity if parting with them for a worthy cause makes the decision easier. Your new clothes should boost your confidence and complement your body type.
If you’re looking to improve your professional look, avoid loose-fitting and baggy suits as these will make you look unkempt and shabby. Don’t be afraid to experiment with colour, but also make sure you don’t go overboard. Rainbow vomit is never a good look. Most of all, try not to dress half your age. It comes across as desperate, and you may end up looking quite silly. Maybe skip the skinny jeans.
Ageing is inevitable, but that does not mean you’re not allowed to feel good in the process. Extend your life and rejuvenate your lifestyle with these tips in order to live a full and enjoyable life.
