Today’s post is going to be different as I am not going to talk about beauty treatments. Instead, I am going to share with you another method of staying and looking young – do fun and exciting things that make you happy!

I’ve recently started gymnastics class and can feel myself growing younger after every class! Each class is a rollicking good time set in a giant playground replete with every child’s fantasy – beams, trampoline and lots of big, padded things all designed for one thing – FUN!

All thoughts and worries fly out of my head as soon as class starts as I have to concentrate 110% on the trainer’s instructions as he/she guides us through cartwheels, forward rolls, back flips, trampoline and balancing beam tricks as well as an assortment of super-intensive conditioning exercises.

I had to get over my initial fear of breaking my limbs or twisting my neck, and just go for it, trusting my body and mind to coordinate to achieve its goal.  The feeling I get from pulling off a new gym stunt is nothing short of exhilarating! It’s a natural high – endorphins flood my body, my face glows and my eyes are shining. Now, who needs creme de la mer?

True, expensive creams and aesthetic treatments can help you achieve great skin. But what is great skin if your eyes are dead and you have no zest for life? So, go ahead and sign up for that cooking class, Spanish lesson or martial arts course you’ve been eyeing (next up on my agenda!). The fountain of youth is within you –  you just have to find the key to unlock it!

*BTW, have you seen my top 5 beauty must-haves? Check it out here: http://www.reviewantiaging.com/

Look young, feel young!

Age management is the new buzzword for anti aging. These are treatments are designed to tackle chronic fatigue, stress and other aging signs which are the by-products of a hectic city life.

Treatments available include:

1. Nutraceutical Consultation and Testing

Pharmaceutical-grade nutritional supplements are prescribed according to individual requirements. These can help increase energy levels, control blood sugar, prevent bone loss, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and help the bodu cope with chronic stress.

2. Bio-idenical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Our bodies produce less of the essential hormones we need for optimal function as we age. Women and men undergo difficulties at menopause and these bio-identical hormones are customised and prescribed to slow the onward march of time.  It is suitable for both men and women and they are clinically indicated and supported by laboratory data.

3. Stress Hormones Evaluation

Stress increases the production of a stress hormone called the cortisol, a natural defence mechanism of the body. However, extended periods of elevated cortisol levels create many negative consequences such as inability to sleep well, heart problems and lowered immunity. An evaluation test, via a simple blood test, is suitable for individuals who are chronically fatigued. This helps to identify unhealthy levels of cortisol in your body and problems with your adrenal glands.

4. Oxidative Stress Test

Cells of the body are constantly under attack and damaged by free radicals which are produced naturally and environmentally. The reaction of free radicals with our lipids, proteins and DNA, known as oxidative stress on the body, can lead to cancer, heart disease, conditions related to the immune system, diseases and premature aging. You may also wish to consider an oxidative stress test if you have any pre-existing medical condition related to the above organs, have a poor diet, suffer from chronic stress, fatigue, allergies, sinus or smoke.

If you’re keen to explore these treatments, you can check out Prive Clinic which offers these age management procedures. Go to http://www.priveclinic.com for more information.

Surprising ways to get healthier, calmer, stronger & happier: 

1. Follow the two-bites principle – Have two bites of anything you want that’s unhealthy and pass it on. Those first nibbles have the most flavour and give you the most pleasure – you’ll often find they’re enough to satisfy a craving.

2. Breathe right  – Take five minutes to energise yourself with this simple aroma-therapeutic breathing technique. Hold your favourite tea bag (dry, not brewed) near your nose (try cinnamon, apple spice, ginger or peppermint), then inhale through your nose for a count of four, holding your breath for eight, and finally exhaling for a count of four. Repeat 10 times and you’ll feel instantly more revved.

3. Rearrange your desk – It will save you time and will establish a visual path for the workflow through your office. Create three areas: “In, In-process and Out”. The In area should be at the corner of your desk closest to the door and should contain only things that are brand-new. Once you’ve started work on something, it goes into the In Process area (the largest in the system) which should be within arm’s reach. The farthest end of your desk is the Out area, this includes letters and packages to mail or hand in. Taking just half an hour to create this simple system will help you stay calm and controlled.

4. Schedule a fitness wake up call – Make a pact with a friend to phone each other for your morning workouts. It may just be the extra push you need to get out of bed and into your workout clothes. Use the same tactic to lure your workaholic friend out of the office and into your favourite Spinning class.

5. Visualise success – Before, say giving a presentation, take three minutes to visualize things turning out wonderful. A calm feeling will come over you that prepares and sets your body in the right tone.

6. Declare an email-free zone for an hour – For many businesspeople, email has become a terrible addiction that interrupts their thinking and their ability to concentrate. If, instead you spend the first hour of your day doing your most critical task, you will feel a sense of accomplishment.

7. Select a stretch of the day – Write the stretch on a Post-it note and place it on your keyboard, then do the stretch for 20-30 seconds (no bouncing) everytime you think of it (aim for two or three times a day). Stretch these five areas to get your through your first workweek: wrists, neck, shoulders, calves, back.

8. B energised – Supplement with a B-vitamin complex formula that includes B6, especially when you are on oral contraceptives which interfere with the absorption of B vitamins, which may make you feel sluggish, depressed or tired.

9. Follow the 10 per cent per week rule – Working out at too intense a pace for too long increases your chance of injury, and wreck havoc on your digestive system, causing constipation, diarrhoea or even vomiting. Aim to keep your workout time and resistance by no more than 10 per cent per week.

10. Stop a snack attack – Eliminate a taste trigger to a snack you can’t stop nibbling by eating something that is the exact opposite. For instance, if you are craving something sweet, sip something tart such as water with lemon in it. When chips or nuts are tempting, reach for an apple or a piece of cheddar to counter the salty, crunchy taste trigger.

One piece of advice experts love to give to anyone contemplating a major life change is: “Take baby steps”. By focusing instead on meeting one simple goal at a time, you might find that you have dropped a size, deepened your relationships, improved your 5km time – or that you simply smiled more often.