How many times have you looked in front of the mirror and not felt happy with what you see? Our self-image is critical to our happiness and well-being, so it’s not just something that we should ignore. But the right way to go about looking beautiful isn’t just through makeup, but it can also be achieved by becoming and staying healthy.
By staying healthy, we stay at the appropriate weight, have good physical features like shiny hair, good teeth, and fresh skin. Yes, our physical appearance is inevitably tied to our health- it’s our body, after all. To help you stay both beautiful and healthy, here are a few reminders.
An Active Lifestyle Is Key
This advice may already be run down to the ground, but it still rings true today: to live a healthier life, exercise. A sedentary lifestyle does not do us any good. It slows down our metabolism, induces muscle atrophy (meaning it makes our muscles weaker), and aggravates bad posture.
Deciding to live actively may be one of the most challenging steps to become healthier because it requires a lot of motivation and dedication. We know that cardio exercises are hell, but the improved breathing, heart condition, and overall results you reap will be so much more worth it than choosing to stay on the couch all day.
Start Your Day Right
The key to a good day is starting your day right. Waking up at the optimal time after eight hours of decent sleep, having a good breakfast filled with nutrient-dense food, and maybe a quick exercise to warm up your body- these are all the ingredients to becoming and staying healthy.
Start by forming good habits. Waking up to a good day first requires getting good sleep, so make sure you get good quality sleep, one without any interference, and have you sleeping a good, deep sleep. Next, eat right! Eating potato chips first thing in the morning will make you feel bloated and sluggish, far too lethargic to do anything productive. Start changing up your routine to allow for healthier habits.
Don’t Neglect Your Skin
Keeping healthy inside and out means you should also strive to take care of your skin. After all, it’s the most exposed part of your body. Neglected skin can lead to irritation, risks of skin diseases, and even cancer. Make sure to wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays, and put on moisturizer regularly to keep it nourished and glowing. Look into having a skincare routine for yourself. It will do a lot in boosting your self-confidence and self-image.
Regulate Your Stress
Stress makes us ugly. Frown lines, an unapproachable mug, and generally bad body language- these results from stress all work together to take away our beauty. Of course, it’s not as simple as being “not stressed.” It’s about managing your stress. Learn stress management techniques, especially ones that aren’t avoidant.
When you’re too tired of thinking about work, take a five to ten-minute walk and then go back again. By helping you manage stress instead of avoiding it, you’re actually solving what needs to be solved. This active form of stress management helps you better face tomorrow since, let’s face it, sometimes we can’t avoid it.
Water Is Your Friend
The benefits of water are countless. Water aids our digestive process, cleanses our body from within, and keeps us from being dry and thirsty. But besides helping you stay hydrated, water also keeps the skin moisturized and looking young and helps you maintain a good smile.
When going to a dentist, they’ll always tell you to lay off the sugary drinks and coffee. This is because the sugar and other chemicals in most flavored drinks are actually detrimental to the health of our teeth. The enamel coating the teeth can be damaged rather easily, so instead of chugging soda, switch it up for water. Of course, you don’t have to stop drinking your favorite drink. This means you need to drink more water.
Don’t Forget to Rest
Most importantly, no matter what you do, make sure to take a rest. When you are going through a stressful situation, take a step away from it to reconnect with yourself and recharge your batteries. Give yourself a break now and then, and let yourself enjoy even the small things in life, like a good cup of coffee with a friend or a leisurely walk at the park on a good day. It’s important to have personal alone time so you can reflect on your life and appreciate how far you’ve gone.
