
Anti-aging: 5 Nutrition Tips for Younger Looking Skin
Tip 2. Eat Superfoods.
Tip 3. Consider Food Combining.
Tip 2. Eat Superfoods.
Tip 3. Consider Food Combining.
The same way women take care of their bodies and spirits by pampering themselves, a hard-working man also needs the chance to relax, recharge and revive. With hefty competition in the business world — and that the “rules” for what’s acceptable for men and women have changed considerably — it’s no longer unusual to see men relaxing in comfortable chairs, wearing face masks while getting a manicure in non-gender specific salons or spas.
Men are often unaware of just how important relaxation and rejuvenation is to their mind and body. Being masculine doesn’t necessarily mean having to avoid feeling relaxed and pampered.
In fact, an increasing amount of men are taking more care of themselves and indulging in self-care at spas on a regular basis around the world. It’s good to know they’re becoming more aware that relaxation and pampering is important for anyone interested in wellness and looking for ways to cope with the stress of their busy modern life.
From manicures, face masks and natural shave treatments, there are plenty of ways for a man to pamper and rejuvenate himself naturally and at home.
Following are ideas and recipes for a “manly” Day Spa at Home:
ALL-NATURAL MOISTURIZER
Shaving can remove up to two layers of skin cells, so moisturizing afterward with a quality natural moisturizer is a perfect balm for your man’s skin health.
A man’s skin is different to a women’s it’s thicker and often oilier. So (perhaps lucky for you so he won’t steal yours) he needs a different kind of post-shave moisturizer.
ALOE VERA GEL is a perfect natural option for men as it’s light, soothing and has natural healing properties.
A DIY YOGURT, HONEY AND PUMPKIN SEED OIL BUTTER TREATMENT is wonderful moisturizing mask:
This is a deeply hydrating, indulgent experience that softens the skin (which you can enjoy as well), and gets it ready for shaving.
DIY EXFOLIATION
A man’s skin attracts more oil and dirt than a woman’s. The larger pores, whiskers and a tendency to sweat more are a main reason why men should exfoliate their skin on a regular basis.
Also, exfoliating dead cells skin makes skin smoother. Hair follicles are exposed more which results in a cleaner, smoother shave — the ultimate goal of every shaving man!
Many men experience dry skin and irritation after shaving with regular over-the-counter shaving cream. Therefore, it’s vitally important that the beard is completely wet, softened and lubricated before shaving.
A great way to get a close shave without irritating the skin is with a combination of natural oils and other ingredients that restores skin and achieves a cleaner shave. Followed with a natural aftershave and moisturizer, they may work so well he’ll never go back to store-bought products with harsh chemicals!
ALMOND AND ORANGE DIY FACIAL SCRUB:
This antioxidant-rich DIY scrub helps defends against wrinkle-causing, collagen-damaging free radicals. The fine granules exfoliate dead skin cells and leave your skin soft, silky smooth and supple:
HOMEMADE SHAVING CREAM
Ten (10) drops of his (or yours) favorite essential oil that has a masculine fragrance such as bergamot, cedarwood, patchouli or vetiver
The result is a soothing, natural shaving cream that allows the razor to glide across his skin.
NATURAL WITCHHAZEL AFTERSHAVE
Witch hazel is the perfect natural aftershave as it has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the skin after a shave, and deal with irritation, razor burn or bumps. It also has cleansing, toning and moisturizing properties that are perfect for men who don’t want to use moisturizer.
Encourage the man in your life to have his own special DIY spa day, or perhaps join you during your Day Spa at Home.
If you want beautiful baby-soft skin all over, moisturizers like body butters are an indulgent way to hydrate your skin. By adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil, they become the perfect vehicle to scent your body with delectable fragrances while making your skin oh-so-touchable. So we have included instructions on how to make your own DIY body butter with two wonderful recipes.
How to Make Home-made Body Butter
Geranium and Ylang Ylang Body Butter
1/2 Tblsp. cocoa butter
1/2 Tblsp. beeswax, either grated or in pellets
4 drops vitamin E oil
2 Tblsp. coconut oil
2 Tblsp. almond oil
1/4 tsp. glycerin
25 drops geranium essential oil
12 drops ylang ylang essential oil
Vanilla Body Butter
1/4 cup sweet almond oil
2 Tblsp. coconut oil
1 oz. beeswax, either grated or in pellets
2 tsp. Shea butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Home-made body butters will keep for about three months at room temperature. However, those that contain coconut oil may soften in the summer, so if this happens just put the butter in the refrigerator. You’ll have plenty left over to continue using. And the fragrance will remind you of the relaxing benefits you’ve treated yourself to throughout the day. For more info on how to make you own body butter, watch the video below:
Or for more tips on how to treat your body head to our Body page.
TIP: Apply your body butter to your skin while it is still wet after stepping out of the bath or shower. You will only need a very small amount as body butter will glide over your skin. What’s more your skin absorbs moisturizing products better when its wet.
Coming up with the perfect gift idea for Mother’s Day is never easy and it is especially challenging if you have a tight budget that you need to stick to. If having been looking for the perfect way to show your Mom how much she means to you, but also come up with a thoughtful gift that will not drain your bank account, it might be time to consider the DIY approach to Mother’s Day.
There are some great gifts that you can make on your own that your Mom will adore just because it was made by you. You can also ensure that your Mom feels extra special by making all natural beauty treatments that allow her to pamper her skin. They are super easy to make so you still have time to spoil your Mom with a wonderful gift that’s extra special as its made with love.
Here are the 5 top DIY Mother’s Day gifts that you can try out to pamper Mom this year:
All Natural Body Scrub
If you are looking for a Mother’s Day gift that will treat your Mom, it’s a great idea to make a body scrub. Body scrubs can be really easy to make on your own and only require a few ingredients.
A very popular all natural body scrub that you can make yourself consists of ingredients that you probably have in your home such as coffee grounds, baking soda, sea salt, or sugar. Each one of these ingredients provides the right amount of exfoliation while also not being too abrasive for the skin. You would then mix one of these ingredients with your favorite moisturizing oil such as jojoba, argan, or almond.
Here’s a very simple recipe with ingredients you may already have in the kitchen:
You will need:
Mix all the ingredients together in oil a bowl until well combined. Transfer the scrub to a mason jar and decorate with ribbons, string or stickers.
Fragrant Whipped Body Butter
You can also make your Mom a home-made body butter that she will love to make her skin feel smooth. Instead of buying an expensive body butter, you can make one from home using minimal ingredients. The vanilla body butter is a favorite for many.
All you need is cocoa butter, coconut oil, an essential oil such as lavender, rose geranium or ylang ylang and vanilla bean. You will need to start whipping the coconut oil, and then add a essential oils to make the body butter extra moisturizing and fragrant. Then add a few drops of as vitamin E oil for extra antioxidant action which also acts as a natural preservative.
The secret to making this body butter rich and smooth is by whipping the mixture thoroughly by using an electric mixer. This recipe creates the most luxurious body butter that is also completely natural and inexpensive!
Decorate the home-made body butter in a glass jar with string, ribbons, flowers or stickers.
Watch this great video for more for detailed instructions and more ideas.
Anti-Aging Facial Serum
It is also possible for you to make a high quality facial serum for your Mom on mother’s day that will help to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Serums for your face can be ideal and a bit better than creams or lotions if your Mom happens to have dry skin. An anti-aging facial serum is perfect for the Mom that deeply nourish her skin and prevent the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you can’t find all the oils mention below, just add lavender. The best part about a lavender facial serum is that lavender oil is easy to get your hands on (make sure you choose a quality lavender oil).
You will need:
Mix all the ingredients in a glass amber bottle and decorate. Affix a label with instructions to shake well before use. he oil blends will keep for a number of weeks. In summer it is best to keep them in the refrigerator.
You can find more great facial serum recipes at our Face page.
Scented Bath Soak
Bath time is the perfect time to relax and unwind. Allow your Mom to escape to her own personal Day Spa at Home where she can let all her tensions and cares melt away. This gift idea is perfect accompanied by a deliciously scented candle. Mom can play some relaxing music, light a candle and enjoy a nice glass of wine.
Mix all ingredients well and store in mason jar or a decorative glass bottle. You can add some natural food coloring to brighten the color. Just add a drop, mix thoroughly and add a drop more at a time to get the color intensity you want.
For those who have a bit more time to spend, bath bombs are a wonderful treat. Watch this great video for a wonderful recipe and instructions on how to make:
Scented Reed Diffuser
You can transport your Mom’s senses to a Day Spa at Home with beautifully aromatic Reed Diffuser which will be all the more special because you made it yourself. Choose her favorite essential oil to uplift and delight setting the mood many special moments in the months to come.
You can buy reeds at most craft shops and cut them to fit in a small decorative jar that you have filled with your favorite essential oil and some alcohol. Use 12 drops of essential oil and 2 tablespoons of alcohol place the reeds in the container let them soak for about 1 hour then flip the reeds over.
For more great ideas for DIY home fragrance head to our Fragrance page.
Thankfully, there’s still enough time to make some all natural DIY Mother’s Day gifts without any chemicals, additives, or other harmful ingredients, which your Mom will just love!
I just love smoothies. They are so easy to make and you can add so many health and beauty boosting ingredients all in the one recipe. You can spice them up as well with ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg or your favorite herbs such as peppermint, spearmint or lemongrass.
This guilt-free raw cacao smoothie is just loaded with health and beauty boosting goodness from these delicious ingredients.
You will need
How to make
Cut the banana in slices and use some of the slices to line a mason jar. Scoop out the avocado flesh and place in a blender with the remaining banana and other ingredients into a blender. Pour into the jar and garnish with chopped nuts (only if you are not allergic) or you could garnish with blueberries, mint or shavings of coconut flesh. Delish!
Meditation is one of the most ancient forms of spiritual practice. Buddhists have used it to connect with self-awareness and as a form of prayer. In the modern world, meditation has become one of the most popular ways to combat stress, anxiety and depression. Recent research has even revealed that meditation can be used to prevent premature aging. Medical research shows that consistent meditation balances the body’s hormones and helps the brain maintain proper function. Over time, this can translate into a more youthful vigor that shines through for many years to come. Below we have listed the most powerful anti-aging benefits of meditation that you can except from your practice.
It Strengthens the Pre-frontal Cortex
The pre-frontal cortex is responsible for planning our life and focusing our attention on important areas of it. As we age, the lining of the pre-frontal cortex becomes thinner and affects our ability to think and focus. However, Sara Lazar, PhD at Harvard’s psychiatry department revealed that the pre-frontal cortex of meditators was thicker than that of non-meditators. This means that meditation helps you stay youthful from the inside out!
It Increases Melatonin
Melatonin regulates the sleep cycle and hormones throughout our body. It has also been proven to slow down the aging process, amp up the immune system, and help prevent cell damage. Increased amounts of Melatonin correspond to better sleep patterns and more energy, which also contribute to anti-aging throughout the body. During meditation, vast amounts of this hormone are released, providing all of the benefits listed above.
It Reduces Stress
Modern medicine has revealed that stress is just as bad for our health and aging as obesity and smoking. Meditation helps us counteract the stress we all face on a daily basis. By cleansing the mind and letting go of thoughts and feelings that don’t serve us, meditation helps us reduce stress and all of its negative effects. This in turn prevents fine lines and premature cell damage.
It Helps Eliminates Wear & Tear on the Body
By spending just an hour a day (or even just 20 minutes) in a meditative state, you can effectively prevent the premature aging of your body. We spend so much of our time in a hyperactive stress out state that we often forget that it isn’t our natural state. Relaxation through meditation gives us a chance to reconnect with our calmer self, and helps us ward off unnecessary after-effects of stress, which ultimately put a strain on our bodies.
It Helps with Anxiety
The neural pathways of the brain are tightened and weakened when we suffer from persistent anxiety. This causes us to think unclearly and illogically. This in turn increases anxiety and causes us to age much more quickly than we would otherwise. Meditation reverses this trend. It loosens the neural pathways and increases our brain’s ability to make rational connections. As your brain and body align in near perfect balance, it begins to relax and age much more slowly than it would otherwise. By taking up a relaxing and consistent meditation, you can turn back the clock and reconnect your body’s ability to fight off cell damage caused by stressors and environmental factors.
The best part of meditation is that anyone can practice it right from their very own home! Start your meditation practice today and reap the numerous anti-aging benefits in the future. Follow the link for more information on how to practice meditation, mindfulness or creative visualization.