How to Look Younger

As much as we would like to pretend otherwise, how far you go in every aspect of your life depends largely on how you look. Since common wisdom seems to suggest that younger is better, it stands to reason that it is in your best interest to look younger, whether you are trying for a promotion, looking for the love of your life or even making friends.

That doesn't mean that you have to impersonate a 16-year-old. It simply means that people associate being in good, healthy shape with youth. Since young people tend to be the ones with healthy body parts, people translate health into youth. All you really have to do is appear more vital.

And how do you manage this? There are three basic components - weight, skin and attitude. As long as those three things seem healthy, people will look at you and assume you are much younger than you are.

Let's start with weight. There is no magic pill that will get your weight under control. If you eat reasonable, healthy portions and take moderate exercise, then your weight will be under control. A reasonable portion of anything is the amount that will fit in the palm of your hand. If you are eating three or four types of foods at a meal, that is plenty. And no going back for seconds. In fact, you may not want to eat that much each and every time.

If that sounds like an incredibly small amount of food to you, and you are having trouble taking off or keeping off the pounds, then that is because you have convinced yourself that reasonable portions are much larger than they are. You really don't need that much food. As for how much you should exercise, don't overdo it. Twenty minutes of walking three times a week is plenty.

Next, let's consider your skin. The health of your skin has a great deal to do with how young you look. You want your skin to be smooth and free of discoloration like blotches and spots. You also want it to have a healthy color. (That does not, by the way, mean tan.) The best ways to take care of your skin is avoid smoking, avoid the sun and keep moisturized. If you must go into the sun, use sunscreen. If you tan, you are damaging your skin. You can't have it both ways - you can either be tan or look young.

Finally, make sure you have a young attitude. Youth is supposed to be about vitality and fun, so make sure you laugh often. Don't worry about the lines that laughing may cause around your eyes and mouth. A happy face is much more pleasant and attractive than a stiff, unlined, Botox-injected face. If you project an attitude of vitality, people will assume you are younger, no matter what you look like. And they will want to be around you, and that is the best part.

Looking young isn't that difficult. The reason more people don't look younger is that they aren't willing to refrain from doing the things that make them appear older. It doesn't mean, either, that you should give up everything you enjoy. On the contrary. It actually means that you should enjoy yourself even more. It's hard work scheduling time to lay out in the sun. Think of all the fun things you could be doing instead, and preserving your skin at the same time.