There comes a time when your skin starts to lose its youthful glow and dreaded wrinkles begin set in. The visible signs of aging don’t always have the most positive effects on your self-esteem. Most women don’t realize exactly what it is that causes skin to sag and wrinkle. Here’s the secret: the topmost layer of your skin is full of proteins, collagen, and elastin. Over time, the layer becomes weak and loses its elasticity, causing it to sag. Skin damage is also caused by natural thinning that occurs over the years. Gravity and sun exposure also contribute. While there’s nothing you can do to prevent aging, here are six natural anti-aging strategies to help busy moms feel beautiful:

Strategy #1: Stay hydrated

Your body is mostly comprised of water, so it’s no wonder that you need plenty of it to stay healthy. You should also be drinking enough water – eight 8-ounce glasses per day – to help stave off the effects of aging. Drinking plenty of water will help keep your skin hydrated, thereby preventing wrinkles. Bonus tip: boost the taste of your water with fresh citrus!

Strategy #2: Find a good, eco-friendly moisturizer

Even if your skin doesn’t feel dry, moisturize it anyway. Be sure to avoid products that contain parabens and other harmful ingredients, though. You don’t want your moisturizer to do more harm than good. Petroleum is just one of the many ingredients that you should avoid.

Strategy #3: Exercise

Exercise helps the effects of aging. When you engage in the appropriate amount of physical activity – 30 minutes per day –  you can maintain healthy blood circulation and nourish the skin from the inside out.

Strategy #4: Maintain a healthy diet

To really keep your skin looking youthful, eat at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Fruits like pomegranate seeds are packed with antioxidants and make a great snack. Sugars and preservatives contribute to inflammation and often cause skin break outs. Opt for whole foods, sticking to the perimeter of the grocery store.

Strategy #5: Stay out of the sun

No matter how good it feels to bask in the sun and get that summer glow, you should never overexpose your skin. If you’re going to be in the sun, make sure you have sunscreen with at least 30 SPF. If possible, avoid the sun from the late morning to mid afternoon hours. This is when the rays can be the most damaging.

Strategy #5: Ditch the cigarettes and alcohol

While it’s nice to wind down with a glass of wine after a busy day, you want to avoid too much more than that. Not only does alcohol affect your overall health, but it shows on the skin much more than you’d think. You already know that smoking is bad for your lungs and heart health, but it can also create wrinkles and affect the blood circulation to your face. To avoid crow’s feet and sagging skin around your eyes, stay away from tobacco.

Do you have another natural anti-aging strategy that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you!