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Holistic Skin Care
Today's cosmetic companies have stopped at nothing in their attempts to offer consumers physical beauty, often at a great cost to their inner sanctity. At EnvyMyHealth.com, we believe that beauty involves more than the outer shell, and that the condition of your inner being is crucial to your external appearance.
Holistic skin care means treating your entire body - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
Every day you are bombarded with ads about skin care, anti-aging products, chemical and surgical procedures, and diet gimmicks; all are designed to treat your physical appearance, but not one of these beauty products will take into consideration your emotional, spiritual or mental well-being. They're all about changing your physical persona, not your whole self. Unfortunately, no matter how many products you rub into your skin, inject into your body, or surgically remove, if you don't begin changing and treating your inner self, your physical efforts will ultimately fail.
Holistic skin care means treating your entire body - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. This involves eliminating your unhealthy habits and creating a positive, practical holistic skin care regimen that will enhance your inner-self and dramatically improve your outer appearance. Your skin is a reflection of both your inner health and the environment you live in. The following negative factors are under your control and should be avoided to maintain your radiant, healthy skin:
1) Stress - Nothing shows age more than a stressful day. It would be virtually impossible to eliminate it from your life, and some stress is actually healthy, but can learning to control and alleviate it will decrease the damage, both inside and out, that it causes.
2) Sun - We all know how harsh the sun's rays are to our skin, but we rarely take the steps necessary to protect ourselves from this immense force.
3) Smoking - This awful habit can easily add ten years to your skin's appearance. It will also kill you, eventually.
4) A Poor Diet - The old saying "You are what you eat" holds up when it comes to your skin. A healthy diet can be seen in healthy, radiant skin.
5) Synthetic Products - These products will ultimately train your skin to work less at its natural processes like cell repair, cell elimination, and proper function.
By treating your whole self through alternative methods and creating a holistic skin care regimen, you will not only feel and look better physically, but your inner beauty will be greatly increased and improved. Here are a few tips that if performed will give your skin the glow it had years ago:
1) Exercise - Use physical exertion to work out the "kinks" you've developed due to stress. It's a great way to relieve tension and unwind. It doesn't matter what type of exercise - walking, jogging, running, workout machines, weight lifting, bicycling or just playing with the kids. Do it three times a week for twenty minutes each time, and the result will be a happier and healthier you!
2) Meditation - Meditate to help you handle the slings and arrows thrown at you on a daily basis. Whether it is concentrative (focused) or mindfulness (disconnect), the purpose is to calm and soothe your inner turmoil and develop your spirit.3) Sun protection - Try to avoid sun exposure during the peak daylight times (11:00 AM - 5:00 PM). When possible wear sunglasses, a hat, and cover up elsewhere as much as you can. Do not eliminate the sun entirely from your environment, as it is necessary for vitamin absorption and inner well-being. Most experts agree, however, that an hour a day in the sun is sufficient for vitamin absorption.
4) Diet - Eat more fresh vegetables, fruit, and whole grains. Eliminate junk food, candy, caffeine, sugar and processed products. Buy organic produce when feasible in order to stop ingesting toxins and pesticides. Add in more fish, chicken and turkey where it's appropriate.
5) Water - Most people never drink sufficient amounts of water to keep their skin vibrant and hydrated. Your body is made up of over 80% water and requires a daily regimen of at least 64 oz. per day. If your tap water isn't the best tasting, purchase a water purification device or bottled water.
6) Sleep - the lack of needed sleep will be readily reflected by your skin - dull, puffy and lifeless. Adults require at least seven hours of sleep every night, otherwise your brain and body will not function at optimum efficiency.
7) Read ingredient labels - make sure any skin care product you use is all-natural and fragrance-free. There are federal guidelines about product labels, but unfortunately they've proven to be lax and open to interpretation. Buyer beware!
Everything you do or don't do internally (mind, body & spirit) will impact your skin in profound ways. You need to be proactive about your health as you are your best advocate. Pay attention to the cues your body gives you and take steps swiftly to correct any signals you might receive. By targeting a holistic approach to your skin care, your reward will be a wondrous glow from the inside out and a much better outlook on yourself as a whole.
For more on holistic skin care, check out the EnvyMyHealth.com Bath & Beauty Channel!
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