10 Ways to Look and Feel Younger

Every reputable hairstylist, makeup artist and dermatologist has hero products that they swear will change your life, your looks and, usually, your bank balance. But if we bring it back to basics, what really helps us to look and feel younger? Rachel Spillane tells us more.

1 DON’T NEGLECT THE NECK Everyone knows collagen production is nothing to write home about as we get older. It’s a sad, albeit normal, part of the ageing process but the places we see it the most can be obvious.

The skin on our neck is unbelievably delicate and prone to sagging and when the skin loses some of its elasticity, it shows. So how can we boost collagen and keep our necks looking firm? Well, treating your neck and chest as you do your face is a great place to start. SPF is your best friend and ensure no hyperpigmentation or sun damage takes place which will encourage any premature ageing. And that tailored skincare regime with beautiful creams and cult-classic serums you do nightly? Let your neck have some of the action. Collagen boosting serums that work on the face will also work on your neck and may even help firm and tighten the skin.

2 GET YOUR HAIR DONE A trip to the salon is just what the doctor ordered when you’re in the market for a new hair do and added confidence. Make like Helen Mirren and bite the bullet, dye those tresses and embrace the grey. Or why not try something a little different the next time you book your appointment? You could introduce some dimension to your colour with lowlights and a trendy cut. Whatever you choose, a new style to freshen up your look will give you a more youthful appearance in an understated way.

3 SHAKE UP YOUR MAKEUP We all become creatures of habit and yes, there are worse habits than a religious makeup routine you’ve followed for five years. But the beauty scene is constantly changing with new ways to spruce up your look. New products and countless beauty trends can be overwhelming if it’s not your thing, but the way in which you apply certain products can made a difference between looking either younger or older. Here’s my advice: start with the basics. Try out some hydrating formulas for foundations, blushers and lipsticks. Use a damp beauty sponge to apply your base makeup - it will give a flawless finish without exaggerating any fine lines - and since we’re on the subject, wash your brushes ladies! Keep your skin looking fresh and glowy with clean makeup brushes to give you the best application possible.

4 WEAR AN ENERGY-BOOSTING COLOUR The effect colours have on our energy and mood is an incredible thing.

Colours like yellow, orange and pink are happy, warm colours that can boost our mood. On the other hand, muted cool shades like blue, green and grey can have a melancholic effect on our feelings and can keep us feeling down. You don’t need to drape yourself in orange head-to-toe but finding little ways to try out new energyboosting colours can help make you feel vibrant and youthful. Try accessorising with a happy accent colour or wear a co-ordinate set with swirling reds and pinks. You’ll be surprised by the result and the bonus - you’ll look great.

5 UPSKILL Upskilling is great for our minds and our confidence. It’s never too late to learn a new skill or enrol in a course. It keeps our minds more active and boosts our cognitive abilities as we become older. There are thousands of courses available online and in colleges around Ireland with some as short as four weeks to longer one running for two years, depending on what level of certification you want to achieve. Keeping with the times and learning something new will help grow your confidence and open new conversations about topics you may not have known much about beforehand.

It’s a great way to meet new people too. People of all ages enrol in courses daily, and open forums are a way of reaching out and comparing notes with your peers. It can be as easy as showing interest in a hobby, it doesn’t have to be too big or heavy, as long as you enjoy it.

6 SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES Sometimes surrounding yourself with people from a different generation is a weird wake-up call that you didn’t realise you needed. As we get older, life becomes more serious and we can get so caught up in trivial things. Spending time with people of all ages - grandchildren, children, nieces, nephews, aunts and so forth - can show you a different perspective on life and an element of endearing innocence that only a youngster’s outlook would have. Join an all-ages club, try your hand at a book club or cooking course and be open to friendships with people of all ages.

7 EXERCISE We might not love it halfway through the session - panting, sweating, tomato red and bug-eyed - but exercising daily is a great way to keep us fit and feeling younger. Getting up and moving every day will help keep joints free and flexible and if you’re exercising as part of a club or with friends, the social aspect is brilliant.

It doesn’t hurt that taking a stroll in the sun increases the production of serotonin for that happy brain boost. If walking is not your thing, don’t worry. There are hundreds of exercises you can do for whatever level of fitness you’re at. Running, sailing, yoga, pilates, spinning and chair aerobics for anyone with limited mobility. So remember if you’re in a bit of a funk - stand up, stretch and get active. It’s good for the soul (I admit reluctantly)...

8 DIET Yes, I’m sure we have all heard it a thousand times before: eat balanced meals, sleep and exercise. It’s unfortunately the golden trio that makes people step up and become the best versions of themselves.

The Mediterranean diet has been widely acclaimed for its health benefits, which in turn will help you look and feel younger.

Weight loss, brain and heart health and cancer prevention are some great perks of this eating lifestyle as well as increased energy. It’s amazing what a change in diet can do so it’s something to consider if you have been feeling fatigued or stuck in a rut.

9 ADOPT / FOSTER A PET I’ll say it until we’re screaming it from the rooftops: adopt, don’t shop! Ireland has some amazing animal adoption centres where the animals are well-cared for and happy. What they’re looking for is their forever home, a place where they’re safe, loved and nurtured.

The playfulness of a puppy (I’m biased, I’m a fur-mother of two) can help reduce stress, loneliness and of course, increases social interaction, because everyone loves a puppy.

Even older dogs are elated to be re-homed with loving owners and can provide a level of comfort like no other. If you’re on the fence about adopting a pet, you can try fostering.

Fostering an animal for a few weeks or months to keep them out of the kennels is as therapeutic as it is charitable. It can give people a sense of purpose and responsibility that they may have felt was lost.

10 LISTEN TO MUSIC YOU LOVED AS A TEENAGER Listening to your favourite songs from years ago is a surprisingly nostalgic way to transport yourself back in time. Those years full of teenage angst include some of the best memories we have. The world was new and fresh and exciting and a trip to town with your friends was a major event. If you can’t remember any of your bust-a-move songs, try a playlist from your preferred decade.

The smile will come easy, the toe-tapping is unavoidable and you’ll feel a serotonin boost that only music can bring.

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