1: Give Yourself a Dry Brush
Exfoliation
A dry brush exfoliation can be done in the
morning before you shower. It eliminates dead skin cells and allows the skin to detox (skin is
the largest organ of elimination). Dry brush exfoliation also improves lymph and blood circulation and decreases puffiness. An added
benefit is that the gentle pressure is calming to the nervous system. To give
yourself a dry brush exfoliation, you'll need a soft, natural bristle brush.
Tip 2: Rev Up Your Digestion
In substitute medicine, good skin is a suggestion
of a good digestive system. People with skin disorders such as acne, rosacea,
and psoriasis often suffer from constipation, imbalanced "good" vs. "bad" bacteria, leaky gut, and
other digestive conditions. The two most common sluggish digestion culprits
are:
·
Culprit #1: Not Enough Water Water bathes cells and eliminates waste products, preventing
constipation. 5 Ways to Boost Your Water
Intake
·
Culprit #2: Not Enough Fiber Most people lack fiber in their diets - the average person eats
only 12 g of fiber a day. In 2002, the National Academy of Sciences Food and
Nutrition Board established recommended fiber intakes. For men aged 19-50
years, 38 g fiber is recommended, and for men over 50, 31 g fiber is
recommended. For women aged 19 to 50 years, 25 g fiber is recommended, and for
women over 50, 21 g fiber is recommended.
Some suggestions:
Some suggestions:
1.
Add Whole Grains - Choose whole grain products over refined. Have brown rice
instead of white or make your own 50:50 combination.
2.
An Apple a Day - Have an apple, skin on, as a snack.
3.
Eat Cauliflower - Try this delicious Roasted Cauliflower recipe!
4.
High-fiber snacks - Snack on nuts, seeds, and dried fruit, such as dates, figs,
and prunes.
5.
Eat Beans and Legumes - Open a can of your favorite beans or legumes. Rinse them well
and add them to your meal.
6.
Ground Flaxseeds - For any easy fiber boost, sprinkle ground flaxseeds (available
at health food stores) on rice, salads, oatmeal, or any other meal. Store
flaxseeds in the fridge.
Tip 3: Invigorate Sluggish Circulation
Do you sit at your desk for hours, only getting
up to go to the bathroom? One of the best things you can do for your skin,
stress level, and overall health is to get moving! Inactivity may affect skin
and promote bloating and puffiness, acne, cellulite, and loss of muscle tone.
You'll learn more about exercise in Step 9 of the Wellness Makeover. Here are some quick suggestions:
·
Take a quick break to go outside and walk around the block.
·
Book a massage therapy appointment.
·
Close your door and stretch.
·
Go to the gym.
·
Start each morning by stretching.
·
Get a skipping rope.
Tip #4: Avoid Excess Sugar
Most people do not realize this but excess
sugar is considered one of the main causes of premature aging. The more sugar
we eat, the more sugar we have entering our bloodstream. Over time, this can
result in a process known as glycation, which is when a glucose (sugar)
molecule damages a protein molecule by sticking to it. The new molecules formed
are called advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs. AGEs damage collagen in
skin, cartilage, and ligaments and promote a loss of elasticity. Wrinkles form
and skin begins to sag.
·
Try This - It
may seem impossible to reduce your sugar intake, but it can be done! A gradual
approach works best. In the next week, choose one thing you're going to do to
decrease the amount of sugar you consume. For example, start by cutting the
amount of sugar in your daily coffee or tea by half. Every week, find another
way you can decrease your sugar intake. Pretty soon, you'll be surprised at how
far you've come!
Tip #5: Eat Some Good Fats
Essential fatty acids are simply fats your body
cannot live without. They are needed to make cell membranes, hormones, and
other body chemicals. Essential fats are thought to keep your heart healthy,
fight inflammation, and possibly prevent cancer. They are also particularly
important to people with inflammatory conditions such as eczema and acne, and
also for people with dry skin. People with essential fat deficiency sometimes
notice bumps on the backs of their arms. Here are my suggestions on getting
more essential fats:
·
Flaxseed and walnut oil - Use flaxeed oil or walnut oil with balsamic vinegar as a salad
dressing. Be sure to keep these oils refrigerated. They should not be heated or
used for cooking.
·
Cold water fish - Sardines are a good source of essential fats. Salmon is
another good source, however these salmon accumulate toxic polychlorinated
biphenyls (otherwise known as PCBs) in their body fat during the 95 percent of
their lives they spend at sea.
·
Supplements -
Consider fish oil supplements.
No comments:
Post a Comment