Beauty comes from within… in more ways than one. There’s nothing more beautiful than a sincere smile, a genuine act of kindness or the glow of real happiness. But our health and wellbeing also play a part in your natural beauty. And while the department store shelves are lined with wondrous products to help you to improve the health of your skin, hair and nails, not to mention all manner of beautiful clothes to help you dress to impress… you’re not addressing beauty if you don’t take the time to address what’s going on inside your body.
There are a number of lifestyle problems that can diminish your beauty, cause you to age prematurely or ensure that you wear your ill-health on your face… and all the serums, creams and stunning dresses in the world can’t undo their damage to your natural beauty. In fact, they can lead to nothing more than wasted money, frustration and poor self-esteem.
Stress and sleeplessness
Stress is one of the most underestimated yet pervasive threats not just to our beauty but to our health. Chronic stress can not only accelerate the signs of aging, cause weight gain and thin out your hair, it can also increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart attack and even some forms of cancer.
This is why it’s essential to take vacations, preferably somewhere with minimal stressful intrusions and as much stunning natural beauty as possible. It’s hard to find a more apt example of this than Laucala island resort in Fiji, popular among honeymooners and busy execs who want nothing more than a return to a quieter, simpler way of living. Even if you can’t afford to get away to Fiji, finding some natural wonders on your own doorstep can be a great way to relieve stress and bring back your natural glow.
Alcohol
Alcohol causes bloating, dry and sallow skin and puffiness. Not to mention premature aging at the cellular level. This is because alcohol slows the function of the antidiuretic hormone vasopressin. This means your kidneys have to work twice as hard to make up for the excess fluid, and as a result, your organs can become dehydrated
If you want to retain your youthful glow and natural beauty, reducing your alcohol intake is perhaps the single most effective way to do it.
Smoking
Cigarette smoke contains many nasty substances. Among them is carbon monoxide, which replaces the oxygen which is sent to your skin, preventing it from getting the nourishment it needs… which is why so many smokers look visibly older than their non-smoking counterparts. Quite simply, you can’t expect to hold onto your youthful looks and still smoke.
Bad diet
If you’ve been relying a little too much on processed foods, it’s time to start bringing fresh fruit and veggies back into your diet. These can stimulate the body’s production of collagen and ensure that your skin gets the nutrients and oxygen it needs to keep replenishing itself. So your skin maintains its elasticity and youthful glow even as you get older.
So, perhaps the most effective beauty strategy we can recommend in 2020 is to look after your body… you’ll be amazed at how many ways it will reward you.
