Although looks certainly aren’t the most important thing in the world, the way you feel about how you look can definitely impact your mental health. If you take care of your appearance, you’re likely going to have a more positive mindset than somebody who does not.
You don’t have to look perfect, but making yourself feel good and ensuring you like what you see in the mirror can make a huge difference to your day to day life.
Improving Your Body Image
Improving your body image does not require you to ‘improve’ your body. You can learn to love yourself any size, any shape. However, it takes a lot of unlearning things that society may have taught you up to this point.
One thing you should do is avoid things that make you feel like you’re not good enough – stay away from magazines that talk about women’s bodies in a negative way, and consciously seek media that reinforce a positive self-image instead. Be vigilant about the media you consume from now on.
You can also choose to focus on all of the great things about yourself, and consciously halt thoughts you have that don’t support those ideas. You don’t have to entertain a single thought you have if it isn’t propelling you in the direction you want to go in.
Practicing Self Care
Regular self-care and grooming can make you feel so much better about yourself. When was the last time you got in the bath with some salts and just spent some time soaking and enjoying this ‘you’ time? What about taking the time to blowdry your hair the way your hairdresser does it? What about cooking yourself a filling but healthy meal full of vegetables? Everything you do counts and can make a huge difference!
Changing Your Appearance
Sometimes, changing your appearance can just be a bit of fun and help to keep things interesting. However, if there’s something you really don’t like about yourself, for example, the fact you have to wear glasses, you could look into treatment like LASIK. That being said, it’s important to remember that no amount of treatments will make you feel better about yourself if you’re not making a continuous effort to love yourself. It might sound cliche, but you need to love yourself inside and out, or you’ll always think of something new that you want to change.
Staying Healthy
Making an effort to stay healthy can help you to not only look better but feel better – the two really do go hand in hand when you’re making the effort to stay in good health. Eat lots of vegetables, drink plenty of water, and find an exercise that you enjoy. Meditate, and get outside regularly to enjoy fresh air and nature. It really will make a difference in your overall mindset and the way you look.
The way you feel about how you look can have a huge impact on the way you feel about life and yourself – you don’t have to look like a supermodel, but you do need to love yourself regardless.
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