Desperate measures

[Vinotinto78]

How would a soon-to-be 41 year-old, suffering from stress, borderline alcoholism and general knackerdness go about looking slightly less haggard? Had a real wake-up call the other day when my glamorous 50-something colleague was festooned with compliments. Felt like a fucking troll, in comparison. I’m no oil painting but in reasonable nick. Just a wee bit tired and need to step up the self care. Hit me with all the tips x

The top things IME are getting enough sleep and drinking lots of water. Start with them if possible.

Re alcohol, no experience with this but I can't drink much for medical reasons and I mainly have alcohol-free lager and wine - they are much better than they used to be and there are lots of other options too. Try a selection and try to replace alcohol with them at least some of the time? (But ignore me if that wouldn't help)

Get a good blusher, depends on your skin colour but Benefit Dandelion is brilliant for dealing with my "haggard and stressed" look (I'm quite pale).

Take a magnesium supplement to help with stress. Eat salmon for healthy skin and hair, if you can. Also maybe a GP appointment and ask to get your iron and thyroid checked.

I know the feeling, I try to do all of the above but I'm feeling wintery lethargic and bleh at the moment.

What exactly is making you look haggard? Skin? Hair? Weight? Clothes? Make up? I'd start by :

Stopping drinking (realise this may need work, easier said that done)
8 hours sleep per night
Low carb
Lots of veg, and I mean tons
Loads of water
Moisturiser
Fake tan
Exercise outdoors

Good point about sleep. I’m a night owl but I think it’s catching up on me. I come alive at 10pm, read a book then struggle to wake up for work.