September is ‘Self-Awareness Month.’ And self-awareness is a great thing to have. It helps get you invited to parties. Write a dating profile. And gives you the ability to make witty, self-deprecating comments like “I wouldn’t talk so much about myself if I wasn’t such an expert on the topic.” But anyone can sit around a therapist’s office, digging up unresolved memories from kindergarten. Can we use that self-awareness for self-improvement? That, in my book, is the real test of character.
So, in honor of Self-Awareness Month, I’ve come up with action points that put self-knowledge to good use. All changes you can make in a month. And all ways you can improve for the better.
If you procrastinate, then…
Stop putting off taking care of your skin. Adopt a regular skin care regimen, tailored for your skin type—including cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, exfoliating and protecting. Make up must come off daily. Skin cell turnover can’t wait until tomorrow. If your skin type will permit it, consider using a retinol—these products prevent the build-up of dead skin cells in the pores and follicles and promote the growth of healthy cells. Protect yourself from the sun now—BEFORE the photo-aging sets in. The future is in your hands. Put them to work on your face!
If you always take care of other people, then….
Start making some time for yourself. According to the CDC, over 1/3 of Americans do not engage in any kind of leisure physical activity. If you fall into this category, I am giving you a prescription: start an exercise program this month. Regular exercise when combined with a nutritious diet helps prevent weight gain, boosts your immune system, and (according to the Mayo clinic) can lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer. Regular exercise can also ease anxiety and mild to moderate depression.
Not to mention what regular fitness can do for your skin. The resulting increased circulation boosts the flow of oxygen on a cellular level, helping with skin cell turnover, creating a healthy glow, and promoting ideal conditions for collagen and elastin production; regular fitness breaks the inflammation cycle, reducing free radical damage and pre-mature aging; and it also helps regulate hormones that can lead to acne and helps control other hormonal surges that can be harmful to your overall health and health of your skin. Once you start your program, give yourself an extra reward: believe me, a cute new workout outfit can do wonders for motivation!
If you’re constantly ‘crazy busy,’ then…
Still try to make time for your friendships. Research clearly links friendships to longevity: study after study has found that social ties reduce our risk of disease by lowering blood pressure, heart rate, and cholesterol. Recent UCLA and Harvard investigations found that people who had no friends increased their risk of death over a 6-month period; and that those who had the most friends over a 9-year period cut their risk of death by more than 60%. Friends also help us live better: the Nurses’ Health Study from Harvard Medical School found that the more friends women had, the less likely they were to develop physical impairments as they aged, and the more likely they were to be leading a joyful life. In fact, researchers found not having close friends was as detrimental to health as smoking or carrying extra weight. So book yourself out of the office, and schedule that lunch date. Or better yet, call your girlfriends for a weekend hike!
If you shop ’til you drop, then…
Remember some of the best things in life are free. Or close to it. Believe it or not, you can make amazing skin care from ingredients you find in your fridge. This month, moisturize with a mask of oatmeal and apples, use a potato compress to soothe and remove dark circles around your eyes, or soak in the seasonal citrus to fight free radicals and even skin tone. Pick up a copy of Heal Your Skin for $15 dollars instead of that pricey moisturizer for $300, and whip up some recipes that go easy on your wallet and look fabulous on your skin!
If you love instant gratification, then…
What can I say? Join the club. A quick fix here and there, especially if it helps improve our health and self-esteem–may not be so much of a bad thing.
In our office this month we’re offering a special called ‘Extreme Transformation.’ It’s a combination of procedures I used on Extreme Makeover that gets really dramatic results. The process starts with a Skin Medica Vitalize Peel to erase signs of age and reduce inflammation; followed by a Foto Facial to even out skin tone, reverse sun damage, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and broken capillaries; and finishes off with a Silk Peel to polish, nourish and revitalize the skin. In just thirty days, patients look—and feel—incredibly rejuvenated.
Knowledge is power. And we all know there’s nothing like self-confidence to help us achieve happiness and success in our lives. In honor of Self-Awareness Month, try one of the wellness tips above–or treat yourself to another quick and healthy mind and body boost. Thirty days is a long time—plenty of time to make a change for the good!
To learn more about skin care treatment, visit WebMd.com.