by Peggy Tee

Created on: July 05, 2009   Last Updated: July 17, 2009

The ultimate Holy Grail in today's celebrity obsessed world is undying youth. We spend billions on plastic surgery every year. Treatments like Botox, facelifts and nip and tucks are in high demand but are expensive and can be risky. Weighing up these drawback against plastic surgery, how can you look youthful without resorting to the scalpel? Besides the usual edicts of regular exercise, healthy meals and staying out of the sun, here are a a few small, subtle ways to look younger without plastic surgery.

Head up, shoulders back!

Good posture takes years off instantly. Simply by straightening your back and standing tall, you'll look younger and more confident. To achieve good standing posture, imagine a string running through the centre of your body and out through the top of your head, pulling you up towards the ceiling. Invest in a Swiss ball and sit on it while at work to tone your abs.

Get in shape.

Exercise is often a mental challenge more than a physical one. Incorporate additional physical activities, no matter how light, into your daily routine. Get off the bus stop before your usual one and walk the extra few meters. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Do bicep curls, using the grocery bags as weights as you walk home from the shops. Once a week, go for a light jog light aerobic exercise has been proven to increase collagen, the material which skin needs to retain elasticity and firmness. You'll have a healthier heart, better circulation, burn calories and have younger looking skin - it's better than Botox!

De-stress for best results

The phrase old before her time comes to mind. Don't let stress age you. Instead, indulge in activities that you can get lost in activities like team sports, or individual hobbies like knitting, reading, or writing. Creative pursuits keep the brain active and help you to live in the moment.

Don't forget to laugh.

Laughter therapy indicates that laughing is good for your blood circulation, immune system and stress levels. Think young and carefree, and you're more likely to look it too.

Food for thought

Drink up, drink up! Water, that is. We all need up to two litres of still water a day. It helps keep skin hydrated and looking fresh. Replace sugary, syrupy drinks with cold fresh water. If you crave a sweet drink, have the occasional fresh fruit juice instead of soda. Anti-ageing foods such as fruits, berries and broccoli are great sources of antioxidants, which help to repair the damage that time, sun and pollutants have on the body. Other super-nutrients can be found in oily fish, which has high levels of Omega 3 fatty acids.

Hair today, hair tomorrow.

The simplest way to look younger is to change your hair colour to a hue that enhances and flatters your skin tone and eye colour. Consult with a colourist at a hair salon to find a shade that suits you best. Colour should not be brash or overly bright, so that roots are less visible when growing out. A low maintenance, smart cut will make you look younger and fresher. Shiny, thick hair is as much an emblem of youth as smooth skin, and won't cost as much in time and effort as plastic surgery. You can use hair-boosting supplements, which strengthen blood vessels and improve the health of hair follicles.

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