The concept of “looking younger” is most often associated with women, but there are plenty of men who want to take steps to hide the effects of aging.
Whether you are trying to look better for work, impress a date, or feel better about yourself, simple changes to your daily routine can help you look and feel younger.
A key ingredient in the recipe for healthy aging is the continuing ability to find purpose and meaning in life. Often, the most meaning we get in our lives is from important relationships, professional success and positively impacting the lives of others.
Aging is a natural process, but for someone who looks a lot younger than his age, do you think it must have been easy for him? No, not really.
Turns out, that certain habits can make one age prematurely, and often, these habits make you physically appear older than your actual age.
Men who want to restore their youthful good looks have plenty of options.
Here are our ten best ways to turn back the clock on your appearance and maximize your handsome
Start Meditating
Stress takes an enormous toll on the body. If you’re staying up late at night worrying about the next day, you’re adding years to your appearance.
Poor sleep can result in dull skin and dark circles under your eyes, both of which can make you appear tired and old. If you are struggling with chronic stress, you may want to consider meditation.
Whether it’s meditation, yoga, or mindfulness, try to find a method of introducing calm that works best for you. Sometimes just simply going for a walk can make all the difference to how you’re feeling.
Deal With Unwanted Hair
Facial hair will make you look much older than you really are. Whether you like the look of a mustache or just don’t feel like shaving, that extra scruff definitely has an impact on your appearance.
The Daily Republic reported findings from a British study that indicated men with facial hair looked about 10 years older than they actually were.
Anyone who has gotten a fresh haircut knows that feeling of pure joy when the stylist turns you around in the chair to reveal the new you. Sometimes, even just a trim can make a world of difference.
Change Your Diet
You are what you eat. Fast food all the time? You’re gonna look like a greasy cheeseburger. All those fats and grease are terrible for your skin. Plus, chances are, you won’t feel great afterward.
Cut back on salty, fatty, fried foods, sodas, and junk food. Try to eat more fresh fruits and veggies. It’s also crucial to drink at least eight glasses of water per day. These simple steps will go a long way toward helping you look younger.
If you want to look good on the outside, you gotta take care of the inside. You can’t act as you did in your 20s. You know the rules: Get plenty of rest, eat right, drink water, don’t smoke, leave the booze at the bar, and try to get some exercise most days.
Sleep Well
Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep every night. “Getting appropriate sleep is very important for how you look,” Salerno says. Not enough sleep can result in bags under your eyes and other health consequences that may make you appear older.
Stereotypically speaking, older men tend to move slower than younger men. One of the most common causes of lethargy is a lack of sleep. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night to stay refreshed and alert throughout your day.
You don’t only look tired when you’re not sleeping well; you look old. And getting a good night’s sleep consistently is linked to younger-looking skin.
Good sleepers recover from UV exposure more effectively, rate their appearance as more youthful, and experience better skin barrier recovery overnight, according to research.
Prevent Weight Gain
Extra weight ages you. Whether it’s a second chin, a spare tire, or just general flab, excess fat makes you look several years older than you actually are – not to mention the health concerns of obesity.
Research shows that every decade after the age of 35, you lose 5 percent muscle mass. All the more reason to strength-train regularly. Do some kind of resistance training twice a week, and you can maintain the muscle you’ve got.
You can avoid adding extra pounds by making some simple changes to your lifestyle. To avoid weight gain, experts recommend adding 2,000 steps a day to your routine, doing strength training two to three times a week, and shaving 100 calories from your diet each day.
Change The Way You Dress
Wear the clothes that actually fit you nicely. Don’t think that you are over 40 and thus should stick to black, white, grey, and brown. Try some new colors that suit you. Try straight-fit jeans instead of skinny pants.
Oftentimes we sabotage our own efforts to institute change. When looking to dress better, remove small obstacles that might trip you up. Look to shape a path that enhances the journey and makes the process simple.
It sucks, but it’s true. The way you look — and the way you dress — is your only true first impression. When you dress well, people act differently toward you. They’re more friendly and approachable.
In other words, dressing better opens more doors. With potential employers. With potential dates. With front desk clerks, airline representatives, waiters, and complete strangers.
Have More Sex
This is a fun one. Studies have found that couples who have sex more often look more than a decade younger than the average adult who has sex less often! Some experts have postulated the pleasure derived from sex is a crucial factor in preserving youth.
We’re all trying to find the fountain of youth and lead a well-balanced life. This includes having a healthy sex life. Yes, my friends, the benefits of sex can help us be healthier, look younger, prevent acne, decrease stress and anxiety, and boost confidence.
Sexual intercourse also boosts our immune system, prevents stagnation, allows us to feel more alive, and sweat out toxins from our pores, according to Amy Levine, sex coach and founder of Ignite Your Pleasure.
Deploy The Retinoids
Not an army from a science-fiction novel, but a powerful class of anti-aging compounds, retinoids are the secret weapon in the fight against time’s ravages.
Originally developed to treat acne, retinoids are vitamin A derivatives that have been proven in the journal Clinical Interventions In Aging to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and brown spots by boosting collagen production and increasing cell turnover.
If you’ve been smart enough to take good care of your skin while in your 20s and 30s, then your 40s should only require a few moderate additions.
Men Looking Younger Thanks to Cosmetic Surgery
In the last five years, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has seen a staggering 43% increase in male cosmetic surgery. These numbers are not dominated by older men, however.
Anyone working in the public eye or a competitive environment knows the advantage of looking fresh and rejuvenated.
Dr. Houssock has seen hundreds of male patients and says it’s only getting more common.
People are more open about what they’re doing with their lives and what they’re doing with their health and because of that, they’re more comfortable talking about it.”
My Final Thought
The concept of “looking younger” is most often associated with women, but there are plenty of men who want to take steps to hide the effects of aging.
Whether you are trying to look better for work, impress a date or feel better about yourself, simple changes to your daily routine can help you look and feel younger.