Movement Motivation

That post-yoga glow, or the youthful radiance revealed by an early morning jog, is no illusion. Recent research has shown that exercise can actually reverse the effects of aging on skin.

If you’re even a casual follower of this blog, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of any and all ways to boost circulation in support of skin. And you’ll know that increased blood flow brings plentiful oxygen and an abundance nutrients and chi to the body’s cells, carrying away residual wastes—including the free-radicals that damage cellular structures (for more on that topic, see my last post on antioxidants!)

Breaking a sweat clears pores, flushing out the system and releasing any energetic buildup. As endorphins surge, the body enjoys a total sense of wellbeing, and, in turn, higher levels of endorphins means lowered cortisol, which protects precious collagen. But now scientific researchers have shown that working out moderately strenuously for 30 minutes twice a week for two months also improves skin, especially in those over 40, who were found after the trial period to have skin much closer in composition to that of a 20 or 30 year old than to their non-exercising peers.

I love the idea of relying on the body’s own natural systems to turn back the clock. It’s pure motivation to move.

Anyone up for a springtime challenge?

Sometimes it helps when science quantifies these things for us. So, here’s the protocol: 30 minutes x 2/week x 2 months. It’s incredible to know that any age, we’re only ever 16 workouts away from radically radiant skin.

Image: Timothy Takemoto/flickr

 

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