5 Bad Habits You NEED to Stop NOW That Are Causing Wrinkles !!

Dear Moms, 

No matter what is going on in your life,(YES, I know that the kids are making you old before your time- and maybe so is your beloved SO) if you are blessed enough to wake up every morning...you are aging. We can all try to embrace the signs of aging in our own ways; joke about our "crow's feet" and "laugh lines"- or dye the hell out of those encroaching grays. However, there may be things that YOU are doing to yourself that are making you edge further into the "Granny Zone" by leaps and bounds! Below I will give you my top five things that you can STOP doing now and begin to slow the look of your aging. 

1.) SMOKING- OMG I know we have all heard that smoking is not an attractive habit period. But, did you know that it also causes premature aging? The chemicals in cigarettes destroy the skin's natural elastin (the stuff that is responsible for the bouncy, youthful snap back attributes of our skin). It not only destroys the elastin in your face and hands, but it is also responsible for causing breasts  to sag as well! So, put out that cigarette and pick up a bottle of water or a protein enriched smoothie or shake!

Quit Smoking Tips
www.americanheartassociation.org
Acquired: 11/10/2016

2.) Going to Sleep Without Washing Your Make-up Off- Seriously, I am NOT really one to judge anyone who has gotten in from a long day of work, or even a great night of partying (MY partying days are many, many moons behind me however lol) and just collapsed from exhaustion. The random night of sleeping with your face on will not do any permanent damage to your skin- but consistent or habitually falling asleep with a full face of make-up on can turn your face into a veritable buffet for free radical exposure. Whaaaa? Well- your cosmetics hold on to all of the environmental pollutants that we are exposed to during our day. Your pores can become blocked up with make-up and in turn keep and store free radicals (What ARE these Free radicals, you ask? Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules.) which can result in a collagen breakdown and in turn cause the early onset of fine lines. Aaaaarrrgggh!! THIS is why it is extremely important to not only cleanse; but moisturize BEFORE bed to keep your skin young and healthy looking. 

I Woke up Like This
www.pintrest.com
Acquired: 11/10/2016

3.) Going Screen-LESS- No, I am not talking about the time spent in front of your computer, or phones; but the going WITHOUT sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology say, "For shame" when you bask in the glory of the sun sans sunscreen. Yes, I am aware we cannot fully avoid the rays of the sun and that's why we need to reach for a water resistant, broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of no less than 30. Even during the winter months, even when we're inside of our vehicles (as moms, this is common) the UV rays can still get you- and leave you with those fine lines and wrinkles that betray our years!

Is Your Sunscreen Causing Cancer?
www.huffingtonpost.com
Acquired: 11/10/2016

4.) Too Much SCREEN Time- Okay, I hinted that screens may be causing your premature aging...well, sorry ladies but it's true. Now, not only is it rude to play or text in public settings: think dinner tables, at the movies just consider HOW you are using them. Consider the angle that you set your face in viewing your mobile technology- your eyes are cast down, your neck and chin are cocked in an odd angle for hours at a time... these repetitive angles have been known to leave users with what has been deemed "tech neck." This is an early aging pattern that dermatologists characterize the drooping of jowls along with the accumulation of wrinkles on the lower half of the face and neck. Now, don't fully panic- it's something we can begin to get a hold on.  Make sure that your PCs and laptops are upright and almost at eye level to avoid holding your head down creasing your neck skin. Also make sure that you give yourself plenty of breaks throughout the day to move away from your desk to stretch, and that when you ARE sitting, that your posture is correct, straight spine, and with your feet straight and planted flat on the floor.

Set The Example for Screentime
www.northshorehealth.org
Acquired: 11/10/2016

5.) Chronic Chewer- Yeah, we as moms ALL have the odd pieces of gum in our pockets, purses, vehicle cup holders etc... and sure, we all know that chewing a piece after that cup of coffee, or that onion laden Big Mac at lunch is good for our teeth by generating saliva to break down tartar build up and to help freshen our breath. However, if you are CONSTANTLY  chewing gum in the way a cow chews it's cud- get ready for the onslaught of fine lines and wrinkles around your mouth. Dermatologists say that gum chewing causes the premature downward dropping of the corners of the mouth, but we can still save that puss and our fresh breathed reputations by slacking off on the chewing and using a swish of mouthwash, and on the go- breath strips or mints! 

Should Students Be Allowed To Chew?
www.buzzle.com
Acquired 11/10/2016

So, to recap- put down your screens for a while, put ON some sunscreen, put OUT that cigarette, spit OUT that gum, and before you crawl into those sheets- wash OFF that MAC! 

Until Next Time!!