As the Founder of Roc-A-Natural who is dedicated to building self-esteem through emphasizing the beauty of natural hair and educating a diverse generation of all ages about the importance of proper nutrition which will illuminate beauty from the inside out for a holistic new you, I can't stress enough the importance of healthy living along with healthy hair and skin maintenance.
More naturalistas are aiming for vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/paleolithic & natural lifestyles while incorporating more physical activity into their daily regimen.
Our hair and skin reflects our physical health and eating a well-balanced healthy diet and drinking plenty of water goes hand in hand with a healthy mane. My motto, “Living in a natural state mind!” is what I try to live by and inspire others to do the same.
“Lifestyle issues, including stress, have a huge impact on skin,” advises Allison Tannis, a registered holistic nutritionist and author of Feed Your Skin, Starve Your Wrinkles. Before spending money on creams and treatments, look at your eating, sleeping, working, playing and exercising habits. “Stress, whether environmental or internal, increases the body’s production of free radicals, which leads to damage of cells, including skin cells,” Tannis explains. So, anti-stress activities, including relaxation, boost your appearance. Adequate sleep is also crucial for cellular rejuvenation, which is why signs of sleep deprivation show up in the face immediately, ranging from pimples and puffiness to creases and dark under-eye circles.
A healthy skin diet is high in anti-inflammatory foods and antioxidants that fight free radicals. Tannis notes that, “Inflammation disorganizes the skin’s complex infrastructure that keeps it tight and strong.” Basically, a diet that’s good for the body is great for the skin, as well, and comprises vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats, such as olive oil.
As for key foods, helpful antioxidants are found in berries and brightly colored fruits; Tannis especially likes kiwis and raspberries. Seeds and nuts have well-known anti-inflammatory properties, as well as minerals that form the building blocks of healthy skin and hair. Studies in the British Journal of Nutrition and elsewhere indicate that omega-3 oil, from borage, flaxseed, or fatty, saltwater fish like salmon can help hydrate the skin and reduce puffiness. According to research from the University of Brussels, silica—present in cucumbers, rhubarb, bean sprouts and other veggies—seems to play a role in skin hydration, as well as the formation of healthy nails and hair.
The Natural Hair Movement has sparked healthy living amongst many of us and is a lifestyle that is here to stay. I welcome you to join the movement.
"It's all about being in a natural state of mind "
