Looking Fab
Olivia Newton-John is best remembered for her role as Sandy in the movie Grease, in which she co-starred with John Travolta. She went on to a successful career in music and fitness videos. Her new album, Indigo: Women of Song, is out now.
I’m 56 and people often tell me I look much younger. I thank my mother for that: she looked good at 89. I’ve been lucky to inherit her genes - a large part of my youthful looks is almost certainly due to genetics.
I do believe that looking and feeling young is all about your attitude-it can be your best tool in fighting the ageing process. I travel a lot and work hard, both of which can make me tired and stressed, and that, no doubt, speeds up ageing. But I really enjoy what I do and I think that’s the difference. My enjoyment shows, and because I love my work, I rarely get that stressed.
I eat well, and every few hours, to keep my blood sugar constant and to avoid energy dips. I love organic food. When I’m at home in Australia, in New South Wales, I eat lots of local farm goods, such as honey and macadamia nuts. Although I enjoy an occasional glass of wine, I don’t drink much alcohol, I only ever smoked once in my life, literally for a few seconds, and everyone knows about that episode!…
I believe exercise is very important if you want to stay looking young. I was conditioned to exercise as a young girl and although some people hate it, I get genuine pleasure from it. In fact, if I don’t exercise, I feel terrible. I love playing tennis and go hiking, and I also have a treadmill at home.
“Having breast cancer 13 years ago taught me how important the simple pleasures in life are to overall wellbeing and youthfulness. So now I make a conscious effort to do things such as enjoying a quiet moment sipping a cup of herbal tea, or going to Gaia - my spa and retreat, 30 minutes from home -just to sit on the hillside and drink in the beautiful view. I’m also a big fan of holistic therapies, such as Reiki, and different massage techniques for restoring your mind, body and spirit.
Editor's note
- This is from the Holland and Barratt in-store magazine, a health food store in the UK.