How Happy is... How To Really Look 7 Years Younger

Obviously, this could be an article about Botox, collagen, skin resurfacing and face-lifts. However, it's not, because this piece is not about looking younger on a superficial level -- which is only masking what's really going on below the surface -- it's about looking younger from the inside out. All the above techniques have their place and believe me; my theory is, if it's available and you want it, get it. However, from my experience these following five tips are way more powerful, long lasting and profound.

1. How loving are you? There are billions of people on the planet and everyday we are surrounded by others. It would be easy to divide the population in to two: those who love human beings foremost and those who love animals more than their fellow man. It makes sense that if you are surrounded by something that you love, your face will look much more relaxed and open. I remember seeing a man years ago with a badge on his coat which said, 'The more people I meet, the more I like my dog'. Obviously it was meant to be funny, but I actually felt sorry for him that that was his experience. So, if you are one of those people who do prefer animals to people, it might be worth looking in to why you have that perspective and see if you can shift it to one that is more loving and forgiving to your fellow man, it will definitely show on your face as well as in the quality of your relationships.

2. Let go now! Release any built up anger as quickly as possible and if you have any resentment that has accumulated in your body over the years you need to find physical ways to release it. With an emotion that has as much power as anger, talking it out is not enough in itself, as anger is physical, and contains a huge amount of negative energy that can be very self-destructive. By releasing it, it will soften your facial features. So, without taking your frustration out or putting the blame on anyone outside of yourself, find a physical therapy that releases emotions from the cells and, in the meantime, learn to let go of negative emotions quickly, before they settle in your body.

3. What do you have? Stop focusing on what you don't have and look at what you do have. The whole emotion of wanting, whether it's a car, a house, a relationship, a job or anything else, can be very frustrating and will show on your face. In many ways, it implies that you will not be satisfied until you get that want. So, if you want to look younger then you need to appreciate the blessings you already have. I have in the past discussed the when I 'have' this or when I 'do' this, then I will 'be' happy syndrome. It is so much better as human 'beings' to 'be' happy now, appreciate what you have and have a real sense of peace, regardless of whether you get anything else.

4. Drink lots and lots of water. You need to keep your cells moist and to replace all the water that you lose through out your day. This will help with you metabolism and keep your colon working. (The key to really good health!) You'll see the difference in the brightness of your eyes, the skin under them and in your skin color in general. Also, remember to exercise, as that keeps oxygen (life) moving in to the cells, as well as obviously keeping you in great external, physical shape.

5. You are not alone. Strengthen your spiritual life and the sense that you are connected to all things and being taken care of by a higher consciousness. Sometimes it might not feel like that as you go through hard times, but it will help you have the sense that you are not alone and take some pressure off. It will also help you to be aware of what your mission is here is on the planet and how you make a difference. By knowing that you are making a difference to other's lives, without sacrificing your own, will automatically give your life meaning and take years off your face.

That's it for this week! If you want to make contact with me, I would love to hear from you so please do contact me at [e-mail].

Comments

[MandyYsd]

A friend of mine who works as a professional make-up artist and skin care consultant recommended I check out this website: http://mlieber322.overwrink.hop.clickbank.net/ Just copy the link and paste it into your browser. It is great to finally know what to do to really look and feel younger. My skin is smoother, wrinkle-free, acne-free, with an even appearance and I even have that rosey complexion and youthful glow I had when I was a teenager. I feel great knowing that I am taking care of my skin and improving my physical appearance without chemicals. Check it out! Best of luck to everyone!!

[endbush]

I forgot to say kefir. See the Body Ecology diet.
bodyecology.com

[ArthurTwoShedsJackson]

Sophie: Here is a good comparison that proves your point:

Compare photos of Kathleen Sibelius (b. 1948) with Carly Fiorina (b. 1954).

Sibelius is 6 years older chronologically, doesn't bother dying her gray hair, and yet, IMHO, looks far more youthful (and far more attractive :-) than Fiorina. The "real" looking smile Sibelius has which I most definitely do not see in photos of Fiorina has a lot to do with it. You can't fake the "smiling eyes"!

[hemnebob]

yes, very valid today!
thanks sophie.

i think my largest problem is getting that water drank...

(or maybe i should just drink more water... ;)

[tatianalensky]

I think exercising the brain can go a long way.

Guys, you all need to lighten up.

Read a book. Watch the Daily Show or something.

[Xgal08]

I agree with the poster that said to add yoga. My yoga teacher is 60 yrs old and has been practicing yoga for several years. She is still very flexiable and can do poses I can't do yet (I'm 29) I do whatever she says, lol!

[Laurie Nadel - Huffpost Blogger]

Beautifully written, Sophie. Many thanks!

[randakost]

I think just as important - never smoke and drink alcohol rarely, drink lots of tea, exercise daily and eat as much unprocessed food as possible. I think the best diet is small amount of meat (or other protein) small amount of grain/rice and as many vegetables and fruits as you can stand. I'm 41 but people usually think I'm in my early thirties...of course genetics play a part as well.

[Russell Bishop - Huffpost Blogger]

HI Sophie:

thanks for the insightful view into letting the Inner Beauty shine forward. Nice gift!

Blessings to you.

[gemzenith]

sometimes its just clean living and good genetics!

[tatianalensky]

I must say,yellow gauloises do it for me. I´m actually 87 but people always think I look a lot younger. Or maybe its the chloe bag.......

[MissElaineous]

Get exercise and stop wearing grannie/grandpa clothing. All this "love yourself" stuff is very cute and reassuring, but it doesn't make you look younger or better. It just wipes the scowl off your face. Look in the closet. Do you have a short sleeved pink tee shirt with a sequinned cat on it? Do your Dockers come up to your clavicle? Pork pie hat? Those classes made of plastic that dip down on the sides between your eyebrows and ears (Peggy Hill glasses)? I know one woman who suddenly looked 15 years younger when she ditched her Malcolm X glasses and got some lighter frames. (Grey haired white women look dreadful in Malcolm X glasses) I have friends who are young, who wheeze up the stairs. It scares me to think that I may outlive them. Even if you can't lose weight, get a lot of exercise. Look at all those Olympic weightlifters - powerful people and not stick figures.

[argon20]

I agree, Miss Elaineous. I recently attended a university event geared toward senior managment staff--mostly folks over 50, myself included. All well-educated people with solid incomes. I looked around the room and was shocked to see how many were overweight and flabby, their out-of-date clothing straining at the seams. Several were sporting big clunky Peggy Hill-style (ha!) eye glasses. Lots of poorly-maintained dye jobs--some with pink roots!, unconvincing comb-overs on the men and too-long, frizzy hairstyles on the women. I kept hoping a Hollywood makeover team would bust in and take charge.

[MissElaineous]

Oh, man. The dye jobs! The formula for dyes for your hair are different if you have a base color or if you have white or grey. The dyes for base color have a lot of blue or purple in them, because when you lift color, your hair goes through a sequence of orange to yellow. The blue or purple mute that. If you have no underlying color, you don't need the blue or purple. There are special formulas for grey. I know a woman in her 60s who has fabulous hair and the color is out of the box. She just knows what formula to use. Short white hair with a lot of bald at the top looks honest and has gravitas. Combovers are a sign of deep insecurity. Clothes that fit. Yes! But the weight stuff? Not an issue as long as the person is taking care of him or herself. Your movement tells a lot about you. Lots of young people are heavy, too, which makes the weight issue a moot point.

[plunk]

If you really want to look younger... you'll have to do a little more than love yourself and drink water.

The easiest way is to work with an Ayurvedic doctor who uses an ancient powerful system to cleanse and heal your body. My father, a nuclear chemist, has been a proponent ever since he researched the herbs his Ayurvedic doctor gave him.

The basic premise: Different body types have different needs. You could be allergic to the foods you eat every day. Give your body a break by changing your diet from the acidic to the alkaline end of the food spectrum and add healing herbs [turmeric is the best.] Only then will your body get the rest and tools it needs to take care of the many little things that ail you. You don't have to hurt as you get older.

Give it a try for 6 months and you'll see immediate improvements, no matter what is ailing you. That's how to start looking younger, sooth your pains, easy the stiffness and mellow out those nagging aches. You can slowly add back your favorites, once you look and feel younger.

My program included the following: Stopped drinking, smoking, sugar, fish, fermented foods, dried foods [chips, crackers, nuts, and dry snack foods], most dairy and most meat. I snacked on fruits and veggies, went to bed early, and woke up early, stretched, meditated, yoga and an occasional nap.

Sounds boring but worked great!

[endbush]

Fermented foods such as yogurt, kombucha, raw sauerkraut, kim chi, and cloudy apple cider vinegar are good for you as they are full of healthy bacteria. You can ferment your own food. Fish is good for you too, if it doesn't have mercury. Fruits are good in moderation. I realize the ayurvedic approach is different.

[SayWhatYouWill]

How does one sign up for this cult?

[Anandas]

I agree in theory, but cleansing is MOST CERTAINLY not limited to "Ayurveda".
We have a western naturopathic tradition for which herbs , diet, movement, and
bodywork, and hydrotherapy are all the pillars of. There are many western authors
producing books for western culture to follow at home- Rosemary Gladstar is one.

I would have to say that the lousy standard American diet (SAD) puts the skin in
saggy ugly shape, ruins the nervous system, interferes with sleep and causes
chronic disease. Read "Healing with Whole Foods " by Paul Pitchford if you
want a home reference to get started.

[DrJenniferHoward]

Hi Sophie,
Thanks for the blog.
I have seen through the years that people that do their psychological and spiritual work do look younger and more alive. Stress is created by our unearthed, unexplored and unprocessed thoughts and feelings that make up our inner landscape. When we are filled with inner turmoil, we are caught inside in a historical moment from the past. We are then unable to relax and see beyond this moment of inner distress. Many spiritual traditions teach about having a longer view of life and still living in every moment. Both ends of the spectrum help bring us gratitude, peace and grace. May we all find the peace that is always available even in times of trouble.
Thanks, Dr. Jennifer Howard
www.DrJenniferHoward.com

[Catherine Davis]

A vast body of research on the Transcendental Meditation technique has shown the reversal of aging in people who practice it regularly....after five years the biological age is on average 14-15 years younger than the chronological age.

[Eek909]

I'd add yoga. Pretty much every regular yoga practicioner I know has an appearance and carriage years younger than their actual age would suggest.