Beauty From Within

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder we are told, but beauty should come from within. There is too much emphasis on what people should put on their faces, the clothes they wear and how their skin should look. Creams, ointments, potions, acids, fillers all sorts of weird and wonderful liquids and gels are sold on the television and in magazines promising younger looking skin, healthy looking hair etc. Notice the word ‘looking’ in all of these. This is not the same as being healthy.

The reason people like to look younger is because it is supposed to be a healthier look. The look of young, fresh, supple limbs and peachy skin, or a slightly tanned skin indicating time spent outdoors being active. Unfortunately all the creams and gels in the world cannot give you this kind of natural look. If this is what you want then you should follow the next few steps:

Step 1:

Eat well! Yes this may seem obvious, but too few of us eat the way we should. We don’t eat enough fresh food and snack on junk food. Eat according to the food pyramid, and enjoy good food. Pasta and rice are excellent sources of carbohydrate and fibre, the basis for any good diet. Proteins are found in meat, eggs, fish, soya, pulses and nuts. Eat less processed meat and more of the other forms of protein. For vegetarians, add hemp seeds to your diet they are packed with important proteins. Buy a cooking book and experiment. Cooking in its self is an important skill to learn and you will discover a real taste for food. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, carrots, celery, cucumber, peppers are all easy to chop up and snack on at work or at school.

Step 2:

Drink well. It is amazing how few people drink water today. Tap water is clean and tastes refreshing, if you are unsure about any impurities, then invest in a water filter. Drinking water helps flush out the waste your body produces during all the processes it undertakes. Just imagine if you didn’t flush the toilet on every visit!! That is what is happening in your body! Fruit juice (not squash) and tea are also good to drink. Juice contains fruit sugar fructose and is refreshing. Tea contains anti-oxidants which help keep the body clear of waste products, but try to keep the sugar and milk out of your cup.

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Step 3:

Exercise. Our ancestors were continually on the move looking for food and water, this need for our muscles to exercise is underrated. Exercise not only burns body fat, but helps to oxygenate the blood, stimulates hormones and helps with digestion. If you are feeling stodgy and constipated, a jog or brisk walk can help bowel movements, although you shouldn’t take up strenuous exercise straight after a meal. Your skin looks brighter and younger. You will also feel more alert and have more energy instead of feeling lethargic and slow. Exercise can also have long term positive effects on your health, so start now.

Step 4:

Learn a new skill or start a new hobby. By doing something different or by learning something new you can feel more confident about yourself. This confidence from within you can create a fun and healthy person to be around. You will also generate a new energy boost for yourself and have an interest in something outside of work. Leave the television and interact with other people and your environment. Look in your local library for ideas, or the local sports centre for clubs to join. Once over the initial meeting you should find you are enjoying yourself.

Step 5:

Be happy! If your body is feeling refreshed and healthy it is easier to be happy. Happiness is a personal experience however, we can all share certain ideas of happiness. Feeling good about ourselves is one aspect, and if you can get this from doing the simple things mentioned above then your own beauty will shine through.