Is your skin ready to see the light of day? Weather’s getting warmer and those shorts are calling. Is your skin ready?

Healthy skin is the result of healthy habits. Check out the following list to see how well you’ve been treating your skin.

Hydrate! Are you getting enough water to allow your body to function correctly; to carry nutrients and oxygen to your cells and waste and carbon dioxide out? Your body has a natural detoxification system. Give it what it needs and it will do the rest.
How much water? Divide your weight in pounds by 2 and you’ll get the number of ounces of water you need to drink per day. If you find that a struggle cut out the other stuff (coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, etc.) and get as close as you can to your water quotient as you can each day.

Sleep! Getting enough Zzz’s each night is imperative for healthy skin, and it doesn’t hurt the rest of your body either. In fact, adequate sleep supports proper weight balance and improves your sex life. Turn off those lights, and get your groove on!

Eat & Drink Your Greens! Dang, your mother knew what she was talking about when she told you to eat your broccoli. The vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients in green vegetables support healthy cell growth and help fight cancer. Eat those dark greens and throw some kale into your fresh juice. You’ll see your rosy complexion return in no time.

Avoid Sugar, Grains & Alcohol! Yes, all of these support the growth of candida and cancer in your body. The less of these three blood sugar booster that you eat, the better your body will function, not to mention the pounds you will shed.

Eat Healthy Fats! Yes I said the “F” word. Eating the right fats helps to keep your hair shiny and your skin moist. Change out the old vegetable oils and fake fats for healthy fats like coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and butter (from grass-fed cows’ milk). Add foods like avocados & nuts to satisfy and delight your body.

Eat Plenty of Good Protein! Depending on your diet style, vegan to paleo, to omnivore, your protein choices may vary. The bottom line is to EAT CLEAN. Avoid foods that have been processed, adding trans fats (frying) or additives (nitrates). You’ll want to get about 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day to supply your body with the proper building blocks for that glowing skin.

Oxygenate! Breathing deeply and getting your heart rate up each day is a great way to ensure your body is getting the oxygen it needs to do it’s work. Remember, the food you eat is the fuel for every cell in your body. And like an engine, the process requires oxygen, so get up, move and suck air, EVERYDAY!

Find Your Happy Place! Stress takes its toll on your body and it shows in your skin like nowhere else. Make time to be calm, present and accepting. Take a slow walk through nature, do yoga or learn to meditate. Disconnecting from your “Monkey Mind” for just 15 minutes a day can change your life.

Georgie Grossman