Beauty From Within: The Benefits of Collagen and Mindfulness

What makes you glow?  For some of us, it's reminiscing about our well-earned vacation over dinner and drinks with a friend.  For others, it's the completion of a 5k race or our first blog entry. "Glow getters" all have one thing in common.  They strive to achieve their goals in life while attaining a beautiful glow both inside and out.

The following tips are ways to achieve that healthy glow, starting from within. 

1. Be generous. Give without expecting anything in return. People appreciate sincerity and when you can give freely, your actions will be more meaningful to you and the recipient. 

2. Say hello. "The more strangers I talked to, the better I started to feel about myself." This quote from Walking the Camino resonated with me recently. We say hello to strangers on Facebook, on Instagram, on Twitter. Imagine if we extended those well wishes in real life. Remain present and focus on who is around you and the moments you are experiencing. 

3. Less is more. Accumulating possessions requires effort. Effort to organize, clean, upgrade!! The less you possess, the more energy you will have for the people, yourself included, and experiences in your life. 

4. Reflect. Who doesn't enjoy a little bit of R&R, or rest and reflection as I like to call it. Just because you have an opening in your schedule, that doesn't mean you need to fill it. Quite often, I feel more productive after I have spent some time doing nothing. Reflect on the day, the week, the year. Adjust your schedule and daily routine (that's where change occurs!) accordingly based on where you are going and what your goals are. It's better to spend an 8 hour workday feeling energized, working at 100% than to drag through it, operating at 5%, with a "low battery."

5. Focus on your "done" list, not your "to do" list. Has anyone ever really completed their to do list? Mine seems to grow each day, as I check things off...more things are added to it. At times, it feels like you're barely staying afloat when someone throws you a ten pound brick, right? Well, rather than feel like you are sinking with things to do, focus on what you have already accomplished. Write them down if you have to! This encourages good organizational skills, ensuring that you work efficiently and at a healthy pace. 

Another form of beauty from within can support healthy hair, skin and nails.  A few years ago, I discovered NeoCell, a collagen company that believes in, and promotes, neurocosmetics. Neurocosmetics refers to ingredients that are applied or ingested to reduce fine lines, moisturize skin and encourage strong hair and nails. The very first product I tried from NeoCell was the Super Collagen powder.  Containing 6,600mg of collagen per serving, this hydrolyzed form of collagen stimulates your body's own collagen production. The collagen fragments enter your body's collagen matrix, turning on the receptors to produce more collagen.  Without supplementation, collagen production declines about 1.5% every year after the age of 25. Collagen is the number one protein in your body and also makes up 100% of your tendons and 86% of your ligaments. Your skin? A whopping 75% of it is collagen! NeoCell collagen is available here from Vitamin Shoppe.  Shipping is free when you spend $25. 

Recently, two new products were introduced to the NeoCell family.  I have been able to experience both and have been pleased with the high quality ingredients and research that has gone into both of them.

Glow Matrix
Glow Matrix is an advanced skin hydrating formula that provides scientifically advanced ingredients to internally hydrate the skin.  This premium formulae supports the skin's lipid barrier which helps lock in moisture and smooth the skin.  Like all NeoCell products, Glow Matrix is standardized to be both bioavailable and bioactive for maximum absorption and efficacy.  Glow Matrix uses clinically proven ceramides--specific lipids naturally present in the skin, essential to the lipid barrier or moisture barrier.  The ceramides present in Glow Matrix are clinically tested to improve smoothness, moisture and elasticity in just 15 days.  This scientifically crafted blend of nutrients promote hydration in the skin while combating free radicals.

Derma Matrix
Derma Matrix is a skin strengthening formula that provides scientifically advanced ingredients designed to internally nourish skin based on NeoCell's three pillars of collagen health--strengthen, hydrate and protect.  This formula uses Advanced NeoCell Collagen, which is created through a proprietary micronization process so that it dissolves instantly. It has a neutral flavor and dissolves easily. 

Collagen is best absorbed on an empty stomach, at least thirty minutes prior to a meal. This will ensure maximum absorption.