Welcome back!
We all enjoy the wonderful weather summer brings, and it is only natural to want to spend time outdoors. Many grandparents attend Little League games, athletic competitions their grandchildren may be involved in, or outings sponsored by the local Senior Center.
And of course, we all know how tempting it is to get in a round or two of golf now that we are in our senior years and have plenty of time.
As we age, unfortunately our skin changes along with the rest of our body. Over time we begin to see wrinkles, an increasing number of little spots dot the landscape of our arms and face, and our skin becomes much thinner.
Most of us don’t welcome these changes. But, there are some steps we can take to slow things down a bit.
Common signs of aging skin include:
- Dry itchy skin
- Wrinkles
- Age spots
- Skin tags
- Paper-thin skin
- Increased bruising
- Dark circles or bagging under the eyes
You can protect your skin by following this list of suggestions.
- Limit your time in the sun. Avoid being outdoors during the hottest time of day, usual 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you must be in the sun use sunscreen or wear protective clothing and a hat.
- Limit your time outdoors in the winter.
- Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. The common recommendation is eight ounces of water at least eight times a day.
- Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages and alcohol.
- Quit smoking or avoid those who do smoke.
- Use plenty of moisturizers, especially if you spend much time around dry air.
- Take warm, not hot, baths and showers.
- Exercise often to keep your blood flowing and muscles strong. Your skin will also appear healthier.
- Avoid tanning booths and beds.
Try as we might, we cannot stop Father Time from moving along. It’s surprising how much shorter the years are now than they were when we were children. Have you noticed that? Summers seemed much longer when we were young.
But if we use wisdom and a few of the tools we have available such as sun protection and a good moisturizer, we can still enjoy the great outdoors well into our senior years.
