5 Top Tips To Staying Younger

Anti aging has spawned a vast industry. Just look at the options available - lunch-time Botox jabs: home teeth whitening kits and goodness knows any amount of surgery to suit any tailoring requirements. Sure, it's important to feel good about how you look and I don't disagree with the element of personal choice involved here. However, I am sure you agree there is also room for a more rounded and less 'looks focussed' perspective. Ageing - which is an entirely natural process - is largely viewed with fear and suspicion. It is seen as something to be corrected and hidden. There is another way - a way that is more accessible, low-cost and non-invasive is what relaxation and guided meditation offer. Add to this the cultivation of new, youthful ways of being and you can feel young for your entire life. After all, if you don't feel 'youthful' then having a smooth face or perfect breasts isn't going to radically change your experience of life.

1. A supple spine is said to be one of the mainstays of a youthful body - and mind. This is more than just a nice idea - it's a fact. The spine is the main support to the central nervous system - that is, the most important nerves in the body - and when you create space between the vertebrae, you also enhance the health of these critical nerves. Take up Yoga or learn even the most basic poses (such as "Cat") to keep your spine supple. Poses can be done in a chair or otherwise adapted if you have back problems. A good teacher will show you how. With practice, you might even find you grow just a little taller!

2. Detoxify your stomach, kidneys and liver regularly. Helping your body to stay clean on the inside keeps your skin younger and also gives you a massive health boost. It is said that an unhealthy gut breeds illness. Certainly, when there is faecal build-up in the gut which can host unwelcome visitors - parasites - toxicity levels in the body increase, and kidneys and liver have to work harder. Anything you can do to support keeping your system clean is very helpful in taking extra work away from those organs, thereby slowing the ageing process and giving you more energy.

3. Eat from the broadest range of fruit and vegetables that you can and eat plentiful amounts daily. Drink alcoholic drinks only as a treat. Be kind to your liver, and drink in moderation and preferably with a day off in between alcohol intake. You already know that drinking water is important, so make sure you drink what you need.

4. Play time is really important. Sit down and analyse how you spend your 24 hours per day. If it were a cake divided into 12 slices of 2 hours each, how many slices (or slivers) would be 'play' time? How much time are you giving to the things that really make you happy? Aim for a slice every day!

5. Watch your thoughts. If you want to feel happy inside, start a 'gratitude' practice. People who are young-at-heart tend to have a very positive outlook on life. You might have noticed that a happy face somehow always looks youthful? So, whenever you catch yourself thinking how bad things are, or sinking into a chain of gloomy thoughts, pick yourself up and find at least 5 things to be grateful for, no matter how tiny they are. Then find five more! This will help re-set your thinking and help you to be postive once more.

There are a host of other things you can do, that, with a little practice, will fit into your life and make a great contribution to it. For example, practicing guided meditation: postive visualisation: deep breathing and Tai Chi. You can also control parasite and chemical overload: learn deep relaxation and anxiety management techniques and these will all reduce stress, strain and toxicity in your body and mind. Remember too, that your soul needs to be nourished - that way, you will always feel young!


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Debs de Vries is the U.K.'s leading provider of relaxation and guided imagery downloadable mP3s and CDs. Her work in the field of wellbeing shows people how to create happy lives with simple methods. Go to: http://wellbeingsecrets.co.uk now to sign up for free newsletters AND http://thewellnessaudioshop.co.uk for samples of recordings.