Discover the secret of longevity at the second Women’s Weekend

Instead of avoiding the aging process, many now recognize the importance of maintaining a balance between physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This entails making thoughtful dietary choices, engaging in regular physical activity, managing stress effectively, and nurturing positive interpersonal connections. Longevity isn’t merely about extending our lifespan but also about striving for a more fulfilling existence. The concept of longevity is becoming increasingly prevalent, but what does it truly entail, and how can it contribute to our overall health, well-being, and longevity? We’ll delve into these questions at the ” The Longevity Quest: Living Longer and Better” panel, powered by Vichy, which will take place at this year’s Women’s Weekend. During the panel, experts like nutritionist Darija Vranešić Bender, acupuncturist and Satori Acupuncture founder Vesna Mudrinić, and Dr. Željana Bolanča from the Bolanča Polyclinic will provide insights into longevity. In anticipation of her appearance at Women’s Weekend, we had a conversation with Dr. Bolanča about longevity, its impact on skin health and beauty, and the steps we can take to maintain a youthful appearance and feel vibrant.

“The term ‘longevity’ refers to extending one’s lifespan while also emphasizing the quality of life. It involves adding years to life and life to years. This encompasses maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, ensuring an adequate amount of sleep, practicing proper breathing, and engaging in meditation or prayer to prevent diseases that can shorten lifespan and reduce the quality of life. While it may sound contradictory, the objective is to age gracefully as we grow older,” explained Dr. Bolanča. She added that longevity is a trend evident across all aspects of life, one that has yet to gain significant momentum in Croatia compared to other Western countries.

In recent years, there has been a notable shift in how we perceive aging and longevity. Rather than merely trying to halt the aging process, there’s a growing emphasis on extending life expectancy while maintaining quality of life, vitality, and overall health. Longevity has evolved beyond being just a biological phenomenon; it has become a lifestyle trend that influences our perspective on aging.

“If our lifestyle and medical advancements have extended our lifespan, it’s natural that we’d also want to maintain a youthful and healthy appearance, enhancing our overall look. When your external appearance aligns with how you feel internally, it undoubtedly boosts self-confidence,” highlights Dr. Bolanča. She further emphasizes that the skin, being our largest organ, is fully exposed to both external and internal factors.

“The effects are particularly evident on facial skin. Excessive exposure to UV radiation, cigarette smoke, or other toxins can severely damage and degrade its quality. Such skin often displays irregular pigmentation, looks lifeless, becomes dehydrated, lacks radiance and is more susceptible to various tumors, including the most malignant – skin melanoma. Wrinkles tend to emerge earlier on such skin due to reduced collagen production on one hand and accelerated breakdown of existing collagen on the other,” adds the doctor.

Longevity can also guide us in creating an effective beauty regimen to preserve a youthful skin appearance. Doctor Bolanča underscores the significance of choosing active ingredients in optimal concentrations. However, when it comes to skincare, the less-is-more principle always holds true.

“For your morning skincare routine, I suggest incorporating vitamin C, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, along with applying SPF as a must. It’s essential to note that not all ingredients work well for every skin type. By carefully incorporating active ingredients into both your morning and evening routines, you safeguard the skin barrier and achieve optimal skin appearance,” explains Dr. Bolanča. She also emphasizes the crucial role of the skin barrier as the primary defense against harmful elements, underscoring the importance of its preservation.

Learn more about longevity and other exciting topics that are part of the program for the second Women’s Weekend and join us from March 7th to 10th at the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Art Quarter in Rijeka!