Today’s beauty industry is abuzz with products that claim to make you look like the models who advertise them. But those models do not look the way they do because of the product they are holding in their hands. The truth is that they are naturally beautiful — otherwise they would not be models. And we know that natural beauty comes from within.
That is not to say the rest of us cannot make tremendous improvements in the way our skin, hair, and bodies look. Diet, sleep, mood, exercise, and a range of other lifestyle factors can affect your appearance. Follow the right habits and you can bring out a level of natural beauty you never knew you had. Here are five habits you can start with today:
Break A Sweat
A 2014 study at Ontario’s McMaster University discovered that adults aged 40 and older who frequently exercise have the skin of people half their age. If that is not getting you moving already, consider the fact that you do not even have to run marathons or spend your life in the gym to reap the rewards; exercising at a moderate pace on a routine basis is enough to make a noticeable difference in your skin, weight, and overall appearance. You will also enjoy a range of mental health benefits, including increased happiness and confidence.
Sleep More
There are plenty of reasons to get enough sleep every night. All you have to do is take a look in the mirror after a less restful evening to understand how much your body needs sufficient shuteye. In a 2013 study by Sleep Journal, it was found that people who do not sleep enough have puffy and droopy eyes with dark circles and more wrinkles overall.
This is due to the stress hormone known as cortisol. Sleep keeps cortisol production at bay, so if you are not sleeping enough, the hormone’s levels increase and your body starts losing collagen. Stress itself can take a toll on your body and mind, which is another reason to ensure you’re getting at least the recommended seven hours of sleep.
Hydrate
Your skin contains a substance called hyaluronic acid. It is responsible for holding onto the water you get from your diet and ensures that your skin stays firm and full. If you are dehydrated, water moves away from your skin to support other vital organs instead. If you are not a fan of plain water, you can increase your intake by eating more fruits and veggies.
Stand Up Straight
Our modern lives have us sitting down far more often than we used to. This can have a negative impact on your posture, which is important to maintain as it helps you stand up straight, thus appearing more confident and attractive. Not only that, but posture is extremely important for avoiding lower back pain and subsequent health issues.
Do not forget that maintaining good posture is not only necessary when sitting or standing. Your posture when sleeping, as well as the surface you sleep on, should contribute to the healthy alignment of your spine. This is why it is important to find a mattress that is both supporting and cooling, helping you obtain quality sleep while ensuring good posture.
Relax
Did you know that stress can cause dry skin and wrinkles? This is once again thanks to our familiar foe, cortisol. There are countless proven stress zappers to help you stay calm. This includes meditation, exercise, reducing your caffeine intake and chewing gum, which (assuming you have the sugar free variant) can also improve the look of your teeth.
Bringing out your natural beauty is largely a matter of simply taking care of yourself. Sleep well, exercise, eat healthy, avoid stress and you will quickly notice the benefits.
