Beauty 101

Self-care is important for good mental and physical health at all times, but it’s especially important during times of prolonged stress like the one we find ourselves in during the current pandemic. We have to take care of ourselves to be able to take care of the children, parents, friends, neighbors or – for essential workers – members of the public who may rely on us right now. Establishing or maintaining your health and beauty routines is an important way to establish a sense of stability in an unstable time and promote wellness.

While there’s an endless stream of new potions, tools, and beauty tips, there are a handful of essential beauty practices that promote healthy, youthful appearance no matter what the current fad or situation.

Exercise. At least 30 minutes of moderate, weightbearing exercise a day will keep all of your body’s systems in working order. Strength training and cardio promote fat loss, and the resulting muscle tone fosters better posture, balance, and metabolism. Endorphins produced by exercise also neutralize stress, giving you a more positive outlook and increased mental clarity.

Eat a healthy diet. In the words of internationally renowned strength and conditioning coach Mike Boyle, “You can’t out-train a bad diet.” It can be hard to cut through the fog of diet fads, but the fundamentals of good nutrition always include:

• Eat lean protein, a mix of colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like the ones found in salmon or avocado
• Limit your intake of saturated fats and heavily processed foods
• Don’t eat more calories than your body needs to fuel your activity level
• Take a daily vitamin supplement to compliment the vitamins and minerals you get from the food you eat

Get enough sleep. Excessive stress can make it hard to fall sleep, but most adults need at least seven hours of a sleep a night for their body to recharge. Sufficient sleep reduces stress, prevents unattractive under-eye bags, and promotes healthy, more resilient skin. If you want a healthy glow, skip the late-night Netflix binge. If you’re having trouble falling asleep right now, try turning off all screens an hour before you go to bed or a brief meditation to put yourself into a more relaxed, restful state.

Don’t smoke. In addition to causing deadly lung disease, smoking causes premature aging. The nicotine and toxic chemicals in cigarettes and vapes accelerate signs of aging like wrinkles, dry and discolored skin, yellow teeth, and thinning hair. By reducing blood flow, smoking can also slow wound healing and cause larger, more noticeable scars.

Wear sunscreen. Wearing sunscreen with at least 30 SPF daily shields your skin from the damaging effects of the sun, which include wrinkles, dryness, discoloration, and skin cancer. A tan may look healthy and vital in the short-term, but it causes long-term damage that ages the skin. Try a self-tanner if you really want that bronzed look.

Hydrate your skin. Drinking water is the best way to maintain your skin’s volume, which gives it a young, full, and resilient appearance. Applying a topical moisturizer daily will also promote healthy volume and enable your skin to bounce back from the daily assault of sun and pollution.

Incorporating these daily practices into your routine will make you look and feel better. If you’re considering surgical procedures, they will also enhance your body’s readiness to recover quickly and maximize results. These basic steps will enhance your appearance and overall wellbeing now and throughout your lifetime.

Want to ask Dr. Yaremchuk a question or schedule a video chat consultation? Email him at info@dryaremchuk.com.