Ambitious New Year’s resolutions get ditched fast and can end up leaving you more unmotivated and defeated than ever, so we’ve come up with 10 health and wellness New Year’s resolutions and tips for young professionals that you can actually keep.
1. Fight dry skin
Exfoliating is one of the keys to fighting dryness and giving you better-looking skin. It unclogs pores, cleans and prevents breakouts to reveal a younger and fresher look.
Exfoliating your face is just as important, if not more important, for men, as exfoliating exposes the face’s hair follicles, which assists in a better shave. It also prevents ingrown hairs from popping up (or under).
Hair traps dirt, oil and bacteria. As men have hair all over their bodies, it is vital to renew skin and get rid of build up. Moisturizing after you exfoliate will stabilize your skin.
Apply moisturizer immediately after your shower as the product locks in some of the water remaining on your body and uses it to further moisturize your skin. During Canada’s colder months, you may need to apply cream or lotion several times a day… and don’t forget about your hands!
2. Take your vitamins
Not many men eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day, and supplements should be part of every man’s diet as it fills in the gaps of a less-than-perfect-lifestyle. Consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner to decide what supplements and dosage might be right for you.
Vitamin D is naturally present in very few foods and promotes calcium absorption, reducing the risk of bone fractures. It promotes heart health, maintains a healthy body weight, and aids the immune system. Early studies have also shown that healthy levels of vitamin D may help revive receptors in hair follicles that seemingly die, leading to developing male pattern baldness. When compared to those whose levels are low in vitamin D, people with adequate levels have a significantly lower risk of developing cancer.
Omega-fatty acids are one of the most popular supplements today and are essential to building cell membranes and allowing your body to function well, including your skin, respiratory system, circulatory system, brain and organs. Your body can’t produce Omega 3 or 6, so if you are not getting enough in your diet, supplements are a good idea.
We all try to eat well, but sometimes it’s just not possible when you are working late, travelling or constantly on the go. Taking a multivitamin every day promotes overall wellness and ensures that you consume most of the nutrients your body needs for proper function.
3. Whiten your teeth
Teeth are one of the first things we notice about a person and they can reveal a lot about someone, so it is important to keep your teeth bright and healthy. Using whitening toothpaste, at-home whiteners and even bringing your toothbrush to the office so that you can brush immediately after your morning coffee or tea are all easy and inexpensive ways to whiten your smile.
4. Slim your wallet
Whatever you are carrying in your wallet, it’s probably too much. Downsizing your wallet further increases the neatness of your overall appearance. Limit the billfold to your ID, cash, and two credit cards to avoid a bulky bulge from protruding out of your pocket. Remember George Costanza?
5. Take care of your hands
Another way that people instinctively judge someone is by looking at their hands. Hands need special attention as they face the outside world all day long, and neat, clean nails make a man look sophisticated and well put together.
If you don’t regularly go to a manicurist, now is the time to try.
If you are a smoker and/or have stained nails, eliminate discoloration with whitening toothpaste. The same ingredients that brighten your teeth will also brighten your nails.
YPs shake a lot of hands, but if you spend a lot of time at the gym, your palms can often be covered in calluses. Control your calluses by applying Carmol 20 every night; it breaks down keratin to dissolve the hard skin.
6. Prevent Balding
Genetics is not the only factor when it comes to male baldness. Diet, stress, mineral deficiency and medications can all contribute to hair loss. Approximately 40% of men notice hair loss before the age of 35, but there are ways to help prevent or minimize it. Though topical hair products such as Rogaine are a great way to make your thinning hair grow thicker, oral prescription medications such as Propecia and Proscar can actually prevent hair loss.
7. Stock up on new underwear
Nothing is worse than seeing a man take off his pants to have him proudly present his “lucky pair” of underwear from his frat boy days. Torn, tattered, stained and ill-fitting underwear should be discarded. Even the thriftiest of men should replace their underwear every few months to avoid embarrassment and offer support, protection and comfort.
8. Find the perfect suit
Click here for tips on finding the right suit for every man’s body type.
9. Cure dark circles
Applying caffeine topically can lift dark circles under your eyes and improve crow’s feet. It restricts blood vessels, stimulates circulation and reduces swelling. Purchase eye creams or rollers with caffeine in them or use an at-home remedy by applying warm, black tea bags to eyes.
Keep your under eyes moist by delicately applying moisturizer or under eye cream. This prevents dehydration and wrinkles.
10. Carpe diem
Put aside all differences, fears and worries. Enjoy the pleasures of the moment and don’t concern yourself with the future. Seize the day.
Cover Image: Man Men
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