Not a day goes by without an article, news flash, or post on Facebook about a new incredible breakthrough in the field of anti-aging. The gamut can run from a recognizable berry like blueberries to a new fruit that was discovered by anthropologists studying Pigmies in the Amazon jungle and is a must for your daily smoothie. Blue berries were touted as a memory enhancer, especially if you could ingest a bushel a day. If you could follow this dictate, you might be able to give elephants a run for their money. I didn’t take long for that to become passé.
Oatmeal was once considered the go to food to reduce cholesterol. You could find it infused in a myriad of foods because of its miracle properties. It transitioned into soaps, creams, lotions and I’m surprised it didn’t become wearable. Why not a pair of pants made of oatmeal? it might have more lasting results!. I think quinoa has taken its place.
How many skin product companies have absolutely been certain that their creams reduce wrinkles, firm and tighten skin after several applications? I have bought into this marketing hype for the majority of my life. Research in this arena has shown over and over that skin cream can do very little to remove wrinkles. It can moisturize your skin which makes it look plumper, but a humid day will do that too.
What I really get a good laugh about is when they try to combine faux science with a product. The idea that a skin product is going to open pores so that the cream can rappel down into several layers is ludicrous. If pores opened and closed you would emerge out of a bath looking like a balloon.
Celebrity anti-aging products are big now. Many of them have their own lines of creams, potions, work out clothing, and waters that can transform you into being one of their clones. One such celebrity has yoga pants that are supposed to make you appear slimmer and more toned. Somehow the practice has been lost in translation. Yoga is supposed to be a relaxed type of exercise which is analogous to creating a holistic approach. If the pants I’m wearing contain a material that feels like my flesh is being steam rolled while I’m trying to execute “down facing dog”, something is amiss.
What I find frustrating is that so many individuals get sucked into the above in the belief that aging can be avoided by applying something or obsessively eating a certain food. Some of the most important factors are hardly ever addressed and they are readily available. Laugh often, have fun, be playful, don’t take yourself seriously, be with family and friends often, go out in nature, appreciate art and music, and most importantly be grateful for each day.
Amen! (Although I’ll admit to following a Mediterriane/okinawan diet …. Very little meat, fish three times a week, and lots and lots of vegetables, fruit and nuts and whole grains.)
Loretta, I SO agree with you! Thank goodness I was born with a fabulous sense of humor, too.
Wise words as always Loretta!
I do usually get out of the bath looking like a balloon and had though it was because I need to lose 2 stone but maybe I just have ‘open pores’ after all.
😉
Great post – I agree 100%
Beautifully said. I love the last line, especially. “Laugh often, have fun, be playful, don’t take yourself seriously, be with family and friends often, go out in nature, appreciate art and music, and most importantly be grateful for each day.” Take care. – Angela