Skin Care
Use Summer's Free Heat
By
May 31, 2008 - 10:20:19 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Remember a few short months ago when we were shivering in winter's chill and paying for heat? Well, Mother Nature gives us free heat in the summer months and we can use that heat to our advantage. Heat has well-known health benefits, as exhibited by the large numbers of saunas and steam rooms proliferating gyms, spas and even private homes. Exposure to heat to induce sweating is said to increase circulation, cleanse our pores, soothe and relax, make muscles more supple and provide pain relief. Dry heat can wreak havoc on the respiratory system by drying out mucous membranes, but adding steam to the heat increases humidity and provides relief. Take advantage of nature's free offering with these tips for Aging Backwards.

1) Deep condition your hair. When your hair cuticle becomes dry and damaged, it can result in a dull, frizzy look. Deep conditioning your hair allows the cuticles to lay flat, restoring shine and youth with longer-lasting results than you get by simply using conditioner in the shower for a few minutes. On a particularly hot day, using the product of your choice, part newly-washed, towel-dried hair into sections and clip up the sections. Release one section at a time, applying the conditioner to each section to ensure uniform coverage. It doesn't have to be exact, you just want to be sure that you're not leaving out some very dry areas. Next, pile the hair on top of your head and apply plastic wrap or a plastic shower cap (keep plastic away from your nose and mouth!). Sit outside in the shade for about 15 or 20 minutes with a good book or magazine. Rinse out conditioner and style as usual.


2) Enjoy a facial mask. Regular cleansing removes surface dirt and makeup, but a facial mask will draw out impurities from beneath the top layer of the skin. Using a mask helps to unclog pores and exfoliate the dead skin cells from your face. It also helps to stimulate circulation and, depending on the product, will hydrate and protect your skin. If you're planning to deep condition your hair, you can save time by doing the hair and the facial mask at the same time because many masks direct you to wash off after 15 or 20 minutes, so it's easy to coordinate the timing with deep conditioning your hair. Using the product of your choice, apply the facial mask and sit outside in the shade on a hot day. Here's an extra tip: use some mask on the tops of your hands - they can show your age too! Rinse mask according to the product directions and pat dry.


3) Get your Vitamin D. Our bodies need Vitamin D for optimal calcium absorption. It also helps to lower blood pressure, decrease the incidence of some cancers, boost the immune system and has other healthful benefits. The best way to get Vitamin D is from the sun. Experts say 10 to 15 minutes a day in direct sunlight is all you need to keep your levels optimal. Here's a tip: nowhere in the medical books does it say I must expose my face, neck, chest and hands, the areas that can show age the most. I keep those covered or wear sunscreen on those parts.


4) Exercise in the great outdoors. Winter's harsh conditions can force us to get our exercise in the gym or at home for months on end. With summer comes the opportunity to enjoy fresh air and warmth while exercising. I like to take a walk, do some yoga or, if I'm feeling really energetic, take my jump rope outside for a super workout. Be careful when exercising outdoors. Do your workout in the morning or evening and avoid the hottest part of the day. Also, be sure to keep your water handy to stay hydrated.


5) Take a kids' exploration walk. With the everyday hustle and bustle of work, family, friends and taking care of the house, we rarely go walking just to "mosey" and see what there is to see. Stress relief is conducive to Aging Backwards, so take a half hour or an hour to just go outside on a beautiful summer day and explore at ground level. I did that recently and here's what I saw: some gorgeous flowers; big, scaly lizards; a couple of cats and dogs; kids laughing and splashing in a pool; a shiny, red convertible and a kids' swing set, which I took the liberty of trying out.

So, take time out this summer to enjoy the warmth and slower pace of the season. Won't you join me in Aging Backwards?

Jackie Silver Bio:
Jackie Silver is Aging Backwards and she’s sharing her tips, tricks, secrets and shortcuts for stopping the effects of aging on her Web site, http://agingbackwards.com/, in her forthcoming book, on TV, on radio and in print. As a television correspondent on the syndicated show, Daytime, she's been called the Aging Backwards "Guru" and Aging Backwards "Expert."

Jackie Silver, Aging Backwards
http://agingbackwards.com/
jackie@agingbackwards.com

www.HealthNewsDigest.com

© Copyright by HealthNewsDigest.com