I look like a drug addict

[Boom]

This is a little embarrassing, but I have my moments of vanity and this is driving me insane.

I have those purple areas under my eyes. They're not full-blown eye rings, mind you. Just a subtle purple coloration between my eyes and nose. Think of the marks glasses leave when you've worn them for an extended period. In addition, my eyes just look haggard in general. I'm 23-years-old, and I already see the making of eyebags. I just look haggard.

Now, I like to think I'm good-looking. But for whatever reason I am getting very self-conscious about this. What lifestyle changes can I make to either A) get rid of them entirely, or B) keep them from getting worse?

Here's a taste of my disgusting everyday life:

- Smoked 5-10 cigarettes a day for six years.
- Sleep too much.
- Don't drink enough water.
- Sit on my ass staring at a computer all day.
- Don't get enough sunlight.
- Eat one meal a day.

I'm making the steps to quit smoking (again ), and I'm starting to exercise and improve my diet. What else can I do before strangers start asking me for heroin?

 

[The Morningstar]

Drink more water for one thing. Don't underestimate the importance of water in a healthy diet.

Sorting your sleep patterns out will help too.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I know how you feel. I always have big bags under my eyes. Pretty much every day I come into work people ask me 'Good night last night' in that tone that says 'You've obviously been out on it'... When in fact I was tucked up in bed my 10pm.

Honestly, I don't know what you can do.

I mean, women can wear make up. Men not so much. You could try the cucumber thing, or some moisturiser product for men I guess. Check out ways to improve your sleeping conditions so you wake up more refreshed. Drink lots of water. Get one of those protective computer screens so you aren't straining your eyes etc etc.

That's about it I'm afraid!

 

[Boom]

My sleeping problem usually stems from me just not wanting to get out of bed. I wake up exhausted, so I just automatically assume I need more sleep - when I've already slept 7-8 hours.

It's getting to a point where I can't feel awake and refreshed unless I get at least ten hours of sleep. That's a problem.

 

[The Morningstar]

Start decreasing your sleep time then. Set an alarm even if you have no reason to get up. 9 hours, 8 hours, 7 hours etc.

What you need also is a motivation to get out of bed. Whether it's a job or just an activity to do.

Everyone gets like that. When you've got no reason to get out of bed you think "yea, so why should i get out of bed!" lol.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

My sleeping problem usually stems from me just not wanting to get out of bed. I wake up exhausted, so I just automatically assume I need more sleep - when I've already slept 7-8 hours.

It's getting to a point where I can't feel awake and refreshed unless I get at least ten hours of sleep. That's a problem.

What time do you go to sleep?

Personally I'm a night owl. If allowed to do what it naturally wants, my body would sleep from 3am until 11am. A nice healthy 8 hours.

But I have a 9-5 job, so I have to try and force myself to sleep earlier. Usually manage to get of for 1/2am, but making myself get into work for 9 is incredibly difficult. More often than not I'm still snoozing at 8.30am and I feel phenomenally tired all through the day. I usually then fall asleep for an hour when I get home at 5... It's a vicious cycle

 

[Boom]

I usually go to sleep at around four in the morning. I'm a night owl, myself. If I try to go to bed before one, I just toss and turn for hours before finally falling asleep. I just can't get my mind into a state of rest. I'm constantly imagining things or thinking about trivial nonsense.

 

[craigdbfan]

MorningStar is right. Water,water, water.

I drink it like there's no tomorrow and my skin is toned. Diet is important too and eating healthy does correlate with that as well. Doesn't mean you can't eat yummy stuff (steak, sandwiches, pasta in fact those are important as well) just make sure to balance it out with the proper amount of vegetables & fruit if possible and make sure you're eating enough throughout the day.

Get some multivitmains if you need too and at least 30 minutes of sunlight outside if you can. If not make sure your room during the day gets a ton of light exposure. If you're stuck in a dark room that can certainly aggravate the eyebag situation.

Now the definite way too take them almost completely is by eliminating smoking cigarettes and try getting hooked on some workouts like a combo of weightlifting and cardio. Just start up slow and then hopefully the momentum will take you from and there too stop the urge to smoke.

I know this seems like standard fare but all those factors are pretty important for healthy skin and most importantly a good health. The body usually reflects how our clockwork is ticking on the inside so lifestyle changes are sometimes necessary if you want to maintain a healthy appearance.

You're still 23 so the skys the limit when it comes to staying healthy so utilize that to your advantage. Hope this helped.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I usually go to sleep at around four in the morning. I'm a night owl, myself. If I try to go to bed before one, I just toss and turn for hours before finally falling asleep. I just can't get my mind into a state of rest. I'm constantly imagining things or thinking about trivial nonsense.

I was stressing out about this for ages.

Previously to the job I'm in now, I was in bar work and didn't usually have to start until 11am/12pm. So I could just sleep as my body naturally wants (3am-11am) pretty much.

Then I started a 9-5 job. I thought my sleep pattern would adjust because I'd be tired enough to sleep. But no matter how tired I am, as soon as it hits 11pm/Midnight, BAM, I'm awake... It's so frustrating, because it'll be the most alert I've felt all day, but I know I have to go to sleep so I try and force myself to be sleepy again.

Reading this article on Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrom really helped me:

http://dspsinfo.tripod.com/

Maybe it's similar for you?

 

[Thebumwhowalks]

Here's a taste of my disgusting everyday life:

- Smoked 5-10 cigarettes a day for six years.
- Sleep too much.
- Don't drink enough water.
- Sit on my ass staring at a computer all day.
- Don't get enough sunlight.
- Eat one meal a day.

Of course you're going to look haggard when you live like this. Smoking ****s up your skin like nothing else(apart from excessive alcohol consumption).
You would look healthier if you were a rich heroin addict. Heroin addicts only look unhealthy because usually all of their money is spent on heroin, so all other aspects of their life is spent exactly like yours.

Instead of a computer screen, they stare at tv all day.
They'll eat the bare minimum of food to survive like you are doing.
They'll sit indoors all day not wanting to move, instead of going outside and getting sunlight.

So, what you are doing here, is living like a poor heroin addict, except, you are not getting the heroin kick, haha.

Y'know, if heroin was clean and legal, you were responsible with it, and you had an unlimited supply, you wouldn't actually be unhealthy at all.
The downside to it(or upside if you are so inclined), is that it cuts off all of your emotions.
This is why a lot of people get addicted to it, a lot of trumatic stuff happens to them in their life, and the emotions are too much for them to bear.
I'm a very emotional person, and have tried it a few times, usually when I was drunk and couldn't get any marjuana, so I'd have a smoke of my friend's stash, but cause i was drunk I'd usually still feel emotional when I'd smoke it.

But, there was one time I smoked it with a friend to cure my hangover, and was at my own home that day, my mum came to my door to ask me something and when I spoke to her, I realised I was totally emotionless, like, everytime I interacted with my mum there was a natural emotional reaction to her, y'know, because she was my mum, but it was like that was cut off from me, and it felt horrible.
It has never been my kind of drug.

But, if I were ever to go through something so traumatic in my life that I couldn't function because my emotions were overwhelming me in the negative, I have always known, due to that experience, that taking heroin would always be an option to preserve my sanity.

edit: Anyway, stop complaining and quit smoking, your appetite will return, eat 3 meals a day, get at least 15 minutes of sunlight a day, and take some time off from the computer.

 

[DV8]

quitting smoking is NEVER a bad thing, but to be honest you don't really smoke that much . . . I smoked a pack a day for 10 years; I quit almost a year ago and feel GREAT

I'm wondering why it is that you sleep too much . . . didn't you say you sit on your ass all day? (Lol) that should not be that exhausting to you . . .

I would suggest focusing on eating healthier and eat the proper amount of times per day and working your way up to a rigorous/challenging workout program . . . set a goal for yourself and work towards it . . . this should help you drink an adequate amount of water and hopefully influence your eating habits . . . once you start working out, TRUST me, you will have no problem sleeping at night

 

[Shemtov]

Eat more protein and less Carbs, and that will help you feel less tired
Your fatigue may come from water deficiency. Drink more of it.
Eat more vitamin C rich foods, too. The more Vitamin C, the less tired you are. Smoking heavily can deplete Vitamin C, so while you're quitting try to drink a half cup of orange juice for every cigarette you smoke. Or take supplements.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Everything everybody else here has said is good, so I won't repeat it.

Really, you need to make some major lifestyle changes first. Once that is done, then buy some eye cream (I use LOreal myself) and use it at least once every morning. Yeah, I know it's supposed to be only girls stuff, but suck it up, nobody needs to know (it's not makeup, and immediately is absorbed into your skin).

For best results, keep it in the fridge; that way it reduces puffiness and sagging both from the cream and the coldness.

 

[Boom]

Thanks everybody.

I bought a treadmill recently, and I'm considering ordering P90X. I also have some Nicorette gum left over from the last time I quit smoking, so that should help for get over the hump for the next two weeks.

I just need to get in the habit of drinking more water. I usually don't think about it.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Thanks everybody.

I bought a treadmill recently, and I'm considering ordering P90X. I also have some Nicorette gum left over from the last time I quit smoking, so that should help for get over the hump for the next two weeks.

I just need to get in the habit of drinking more water. I usually don't think about it.

All that is very good and commendable. However, I would advise against P90X for now. Start with some basic lifestyle changes first, including some moderate treadmill work. You need to walk, literally, before you can run.

 

[Boom]

I've being doing pushups, situps, and other exercises that don't require weights. I should stick with that for now?

 

[Pink Ranger]

Yeah, that and the other lifestyle changes. It's just that I find people who start off too ambitious, and go for something a bit too advanced (and too trendy too) will just get discouraged to easily and go back to their old habits.

 

[Anita18]

I know how you feel. I always have big bags under my eyes. Pretty much every day I come into work people ask me 'Good night last night' in that tone that says 'You've obviously been out on it'... When in fact I was tucked up in bed my 10pm.

Honestly, I don't know what you can do.

I mean, women can wear make up. Men not so much. You could try the cucumber thing, or some moisturiser product for men I guess. Check out ways to improve your sleeping conditions so you wake up more refreshed. Drink lots of water. Get one of those protective computer screens so you aren't straining your eyes etc etc.

That's about it I'm afraid!

Nobody's going to notice/judge a bit of undereye concealer.

But yes...Boom, you already know what you have to do given that list of unhealthy lifestyle things you posted.

As for the water thing, bring a water bottle with you and you won't forget!

Stress is also a huge thing, and it doesn't have to do with what we think of as stress. When you eat only one meal a day, you're stressing out your body. When you're sitting on your ass all day, you're stressing out your body because you're shortening your muscles. Smoking...well, that's self-explanatory.

 

[DV8]

Thanks everybody.

I bought a treadmill recently, and I'm considering ordering P90X. I also have some Nicorette gum left over from the last time I quit smoking, so that should help for get over the hump for the next two weeks.

I just need to get in the habit of drinking more water. I usually don't think about it.

P90X is incredible . . . you can incorporate the moves and techniques in that series for the rest of your life; no matter what kind of routine you decide to do . . . definitely work up to doing the full program at your own pace though; it's incredibly intense . . . I burnt myself out quickly the first time I did it . . . don't hurt yourself trying to do too much at once

 

[The Apocalypse]

This is a little embarrassing, but I have my moments of vanity and this is driving me insane.

I have those purple areas under my eyes. They're not full-blown eye rings, mind you. Just a subtle purple coloration between my eyes and nose. Think of the marks glasses leave when you've worn them for an extended period. In addition, my eyes just look haggard in general. I'm 23-years-old, and I already see the making of eyebags. I just look haggard.

Now, I like to think I'm good-looking. But for whatever reason I am getting very self-conscious about this. What lifestyle changes can I make to either A) get rid of them entirely, or B) keep them from getting worse?

Here's a taste of my disgusting everyday life:

- Smoked 5-10 cigarettes a day for six years.
- Sleep too much.
- Don't drink enough water.
- Sit on my ass staring at a computer all day.
- Don't get enough sunlight.
- Eat one meal a day.

I'm making the steps to quit smoking (again ), and I'm starting to exercise and improve my diet. What else can I do before strangers start asking me for heroin?

Do the opposite of everything on that list.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I'm wondering why it is that you sleep too much . . . didn't you say you sit on your ass all day? (Lol) that should not be that exhausting to you . . .

My job has my sitting on my arse all day doing nothing... and let me tell you, it's the most exhausting job in the world. Much more exhausting than the other more active jobs I have had.

People underestimate how tiring it is doing absolutely NOTHING for long periods of time. Your body basically just goes into sleep mode, but you aren't allowed to sleep so your fighting it all the time.

 

[Godzilla2000]

You know, when you get a certain age you start to get pale skin and bags under yours eyes, mostly from stress and working odd hours like I do. Plus my food intake isn't as healthy as I'd like it to be sometimes as I have to work around a tight budget.

 

[The Original Bamfer]

This is a little embarrassing, but I have my moments of vanity and this is driving me insane.

I have those purple areas under my eyes. They're not full-blown eye rings, mind you. Just a subtle purple coloration between my eyes and nose. Think of the marks glasses leave when you've worn them for an extended period. In addition, my eyes just look haggard in general. I'm 23-years-old, and I already see the making of eyebags. I just look haggard.

Now, I like to think I'm good-looking. But for whatever reason I am getting very self-conscious about this. What lifestyle changes can I make to either A) get rid of them entirely, or B) keep them from getting worse?

Here's a taste of my disgusting everyday life:

- Smoked 5-10 cigarettes a day for six years.
- Sleep too much.
- Don't drink enough water.
- Sit on my ass staring at a computer all day.
- Don't get enough sunlight.
- Eat one meal a day.

I'm making the steps to quit smoking (again ), and I'm starting to exercise and improve my diet. What else can I do before strangers start asking me for heroin?

It looks like you know exactly what to do. But another option would be to become an actual drug addict; that'd really tie everything together. I'm an addict but I don't look like one. Although I have noticed my face getting thinner. Awesome!

 

[Sundancer]

I've being doing pushups, situps, and other exercises that don't require weights. I should stick with that for now?

I'd start with cardio about 20 minutes a session. You determine a pace that works for you. It can be walking out doors, treadmill, bicycyle.

If you want to change, do it in incremental steps. It's a gradual process.

And there's nothing wrong with conulting a doctor. Several have told me it's best to eat soemthing every four hours even if your not hungry.


Some people at my work have switched to an electronic cigarette.

 

[Sebastos]

- Smoked 5-10 cigarettes a day for six years.
- Sleep too much.

These two go hand in hand. You're feeling tired because you lack Vitamin C, smoking destroys Vitamin C.

- Don't drink enough water.

You need to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluid a day.

- Sit on my ass staring at a computer all day.

There's a whole world out there, push yourself to get out.

- Don't get enough sunlight.

Sunlight is a good source for Vitamin D, you should atleast go in the sun for an hour.

- Eat one meal a day.

No good. You should atleast be having three meals a day, breakfast being the most important.