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They say that beauty is only skin deep but how that skin looks as you age goes much deeper than that. Before you reach for creams and chemical preparations, try a more natural approach to staying young. Here are some tips to help you age gracefully that will work for every woman.

Age is the great equalizer. Our bodies begin to show the wear and tear we have inflicted on them over the years. Living in harsh conditions will take its toll. The same goes for the internal environment of your body. Eating all the wrong things affect the functioning of your body systems. There are ways to combat those effects inside and out.

1. Drink water. The average daily water intake should be around eight to eleven glasses. Your body needs water to do everything. Water gives your body an inner cleansing. It flushes your kidneys and your digestive tract. Anything that is toxic to the body is passed through and out.

2. Get up and get moving. Exercise works the muscles of the body including the most important muscle, your heart. Lungs utilize oxygen more efficiently when the body is in shape. More of that oxygen gets to the brain to promote focus and overall well being. Even if you are crunched for time, most people can find at least 30 minutes to devote to some sort of physical activity each day. Exercise also releases endorphins to brighten your mood.

3. Watch your weight. Carrying extra pounds puts you at risk for a number of conditions: heart disease, diabetes, stroke and high blood pressure. By loosing just ten percent of your body weight, you lower your risk of developing these conditions significantly.

4. Visit your doctor once a year. The importance of a yearly physical can’t be stressed enough. At these physicals, doctors check for all sorts of diseases depending on your age. Getting regular mammograms, colonoscopies and other age recommended tests can reveal ailments and diseases in the early stages when they can be successfully treated.

5. Complement your beauty with natural treatments. Everything in the store is not good for your skin. Create your own products using plants, flowers, fruits and herbs. These natural products can do the job without harmful side effects.

6. Use sunscreen. The sun’s UV rays damage the delicate layers of your skin. Skin melanomas are all too common in our society today. If you like having fun in the sun, wear a sunscreen of the highest SPF to protect your body. Too much sun causes premature wrinkling and drying of the skin. Choose sunscreen containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead of chemicals.

7. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals in your body that attack the body’s cells and cause us to age ungracefully. Leafy green veggies, orange and yellow veggies, and all types of citrus fruits contain antioxidants that keep you looking young. If you aren’t getting enough in your diet, consider taking antioxidant supplements.

8. Sleep well. Sleep is more important than people realize. The body uses our sleep time to repair itself. Without proper rest, you feel rundown and less able to focus. Your immune system is compromised and you start to catch every bug going around. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night.

Are you getting old before your time? Try these suggestions to age gracefully and live a long and healthy life.