THIS IS WHAT 52 LOOKS LIKE
Sophie davies lives with her husband, Gary, in essex. She has two children and three step-children. here, she shares the routines that keep her looking years younger.
HAVE A DIGITAL CURFEW
WE all know that sleep is essential for our health, but it’s especially important as we get older and can have a significant impact on how young we look and feel. I swear by getting eight hours a night. It might sound like a lot, but I really notice the difference in my mood and even my skin. To ensure I can get the whole eight hours, I don’t use my phone or computer after 6pm — as these can stimulate our brains and keep us awake — and don’t watch anything too violent on TV. We don’t realise how much these things impact our ability to drift off and sleep soundly through the night.
TRY THE SPLITS!
IF YOUR body feels old, you’ll look and feel old, too. The best way I’ve found to keep my body feeling young is to do stretching exercises every day for flexibility and improved posture — I can still do the splits after all these years. Yoga stretches are great for beginners.
DRINK MORE WINE
I FOLLOW a Mediterranean diet, rich in healthy fish and vegetables, and which includes a glass of red wine with dinner most nights. Not only does it help me unwind, but a lot has been written about the high antioxidant content in red wine, which is reportedly ten times more effective at preventing wrinkles than vitamin E. Drink responsibly, though.
INVEST IN EYE CREAM
I DON’T believe in spending a fortune on expensive creams and lotions, but if there’s one cosmetic product it’s worth investing in, it’s anti-ageing eye cream. I swear by Lancome Renergie Yeux MultiLift (£45, lancome.co.uk) to firm the skin around the eyes, reduce dark circles and minimise wrinkles for a decades-younger look. I can tell the difference if I run out and stop using it for a few nights — I look tired and older almost straight away.
KNOW YOUR SHAPE
AN ASTONISHING number of us don’t know our own body shape and it’s vital for dressing well. The wrong clothes can make us look unfashionable, which in turn makes us look older. Do some research online and you’ll soon see which category — boyish, hourglass, apple etc — you fall into. And though many say it’s slimming, I never wear all black — a bit of colour makes us look happier.