5 great gifts for your body

Great skincare

Love the skin you're in is a great mantra for aging. Taking care of your skin will give your complexion a boost as well as your spirits. For best results consider a skin care routine that includes:

- Sunscreen: both in summer and winter, the sun’s rays can be damaging to your skin. Consider a moisturizer that includes a sunscreen (has an SPF rating).

- Moisturize as well – a light moisturizer during the day and a heavier one at night can help protect and rehabilitate the skin.

- Gentle cleansing with a product designed specifically for the face.

- Drink lots of water to keep skin hydrated and elastic.

And habits to avoid? Smoking, lack of sleep, and stress all take their toll on the skin as well as other organs of the body.

For more information about skin care visit http://www.skincareguide.ca for an impressive amount of information - although do note that this site is a sponsored commercial site.

Give a stretch

Keeping your body flexible can contribute greatly to well being and quality of life. It also can help to mitigate or prevent aches and pains that accompany aging. Yet many of us spend too long sitting at desk chairs or in front of the television and too little time getting up and stretching. Put this important area of exercise back into your life:

- Build a stretching routine into your day, perhaps while watching a TV show or listening to the news.

- Try a yoga or Pilates class at your local gym or community centre.

- Set a watch or computer alarm to beep every hour when working at a desk or table and get up and stretch for 3 or 4 minutes at that time, breathing deeply.