Originally Published July 11, 2005 -- Your Wellness Guide

Linking Women's Health with Beauty - Newest Trends
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As seen or heard on your local TV/radio station during July 2005.

More trends information:
Fitness Trends to Watch
Best Preventative Healthcare Websites

Related celebrity wellness profile:
Amanda Tapping -- Devoted to a Healthy Lifestyle

In the July 2005 issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the results of a study conducted by Flinders University in Australia suggest that a network of good friends is more helpful than close family ties in prolonging your life. "We are not writing off families or saying that children are unimportant," says Lynn Giles of the Flinders’ Centre for Ageing Studies.  But, she says, "It looks as if friends are the most important in terms of survival." 

The study found that those with extensive social networks outlived those with the least friends by 22 percent.  The reason?  The researchers speculate that friends may influence healthier behaviors, such avoiding smoking, drinking, and seeing a doctor when needed. Friends may also have important effects on mood, self-esteem, and coping with adversity.

While the importance of friends and social contacts is clear, in order to have those friends, you have to be confident enough to develop and nurture them.  With specific regard to women, there are unique factors and behaviors that may enhance your ability and desire to reach out and form these necessary social networks. 

Weight Management
Managing a proper weight is an important part of healthy beauty.  Not only are obesity and being overweight causes of many diseases but also they have been related to depression and lower self-esteem.  An example of one of the newest trends in weight loss is Tahiti Trim Plan 40.   Instead of just getting women to exercise more or eat smaller portions, this weight management program developed by Tahitian Noni International is focused on a niche market (women age 40 and up), includes rich supplements and antioxidants in the plan, and follows a women’s menstruating cycle with products designed to balance hormones.

Face Lift Alternatives
What may seem surprising, 66 percent of men prefer that women avoid plastic surgery.  Following this trend -- the least invasive and most healthy-for-you beauty cosmetics and enhancements are becoming the norm.  And “natural” is not only the buzz word but also progressively more of a documented and researched ingredient list.  For example, one of the newest trends in filling in wrinkles at a doctor’s office is to use a product called Captique that uses a natural, non-animal based substance called hyaluronic acid that hydrates and restores lost volume to the skin -- plumping up deep wrinkles.  Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found within your skin. 

Exercise for All Ages
One of the most interesting healthy beauty movement trends is exercise.  While it has been known for a long time that aerobic exercise was good for your heart and that lifting weights not only built supportive muscle but also developed strong bones -- now exercise is becoming the norm as a confidence builder, mood lifter, and a way to avoid depression. 

As an example, the SilverSneakers exercise program -- a new exercise and gym membership plan offered by many Medicare providers -- has found that depression rates have significantly reduced through the program; the main reason being that its members get out more and make new friends, not to mention that because of the exercise they feel and look better.

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