I am often mistaken for being in my early twenties. That’s okay. I’ll take it. However, it often becomes a challenge when you are running a business and people think you are the owner’s daughter. All in all this is fine by me and I can accredit my youth to the amazing plant-based diet that I eat and the life that I live. I know that one day my age may catch up with me, but hopefully not for a while.
On that note, I thought I would take this opportunity to share with you some tips on how you can stay young at heart no matter how old you are. Last year I shared my 32 life lessons and this year, something a little different!
13 Ways to Staying Young at Heart
1. Do what makes you happy
This is not only in your day-to-day activities but the career path you choose. You need and want to feel fulfilled with everything that you do and ultimately it has to make you happy.
2. Eat more plants
As you very well know by now, I am advocate for plants in many shapes, in many forms and as often as possible. These guys have the power to give you the vitamins, minerals and other amazing nutrients that you need to look and feel vibrant, young and energized!
3. Laugh a lot
This is the cure to so many things, and staying younger is one of them. You may be thinking that laughing gives you wrinkles. Well if it does, then it’s worth it for the years it will take off your life in feeling young!
4. Play with dogs or children
There is nothing like being around a small puppy, baby or young kids that make you feel like a kid all over again. You can just be you, vulnerable, free and made of pure love!
5. Get out in nature
Getting out in nature, surrounded with trees, water, mountains is an incredible way to feel rejuvenated, refreshed and pepped. Take it one step further and ground yourself in the earth with bare feet in the sand or in grass. This will charge your body with good feeling vibes in ways you have never experienced.
6. Cut out processed foods
This is probably one of the biggest culprits against staying young. Junk food is not young food. So stay away and make your own food (as much as possible).
7. Don’t smoke ever or drink (a lot)
Smoking cigarettes is probably the next worse thing you could do to your body and your health. There is absolutely no tolerance for this, or anything sexy about it. It is a terrible habit that makes you age faster than you can say “lung cancer”. Drinking on the other hand, is okay in moderation. A glass of pure white wine from Southbrook Vineyards – Connect is my idea of a great night.
8. Eat Superfoods like goji, maca, seaweed and chia!
You pop in some of these foods on a regular basis and you will do just fine and your expiry date has a much longer shelf life. You will love how energized and nourishing these foods will make you feel. They also taste great and add diversity, colour and texture to your meals.
9. Get 7-8 hours of sleep
If you didn’t know this already getting enough sleep is essential and merely critical to good health and staying and looking young. Crawl into be between 10-11 pm and wake up between 6-7 am to feel the most refreshed and at your best!
10. Eat chocolate everyday
You heard me right; eat a square of dark chocolate everyday. As long as it’s pure, organic, raw and real chocolate you can dish a piece or two up on a regular basis. It’s got magnesium, calcium and that melt in your mouth chocolatey taste that just makes you feel like you’re 10 years old all over again.
11. Run, hike, yoga, bike
Definitely keep that body moving. Find a variety of ways to do this. As you know, kids are always on the go, busy bodies, staying active and in motion. This is a basic necessity and it should never stop until you physically can’t move anymore.
12. Floss & Smile as much as possible
Flossing is good for the gums and gums are good for healthy teeth. Healthy teeth help you chew good fibrous plant food. Keeps them clean, keeps them white and keeps them bright. When your gums are in good shape, this is a sign of good health. Also make sure you are using chemical free products – right now I am hooked on Salty Kisses.
13. Spend time with loved ones
Your significant other, parents, family and friends help to make you who you are! So get together and spend quality time with them all on a regular basis. You get to be yourself and they will love and accept you for who you are, always and forever!
Even though I look younger than my reality and I take part in all of the above, I am also the first one to admit that at times (more often than not) I take life too seriously. So this is a reminder, not only for you but for me as well, to get out there, enjoy life and make every year count!
