Overall health is underrated where beauty is concerned. If you are eating healthily, getting enough sleep, drinking two litres of water - with your twist of lemon of course - and exercising regularly enough, you would think you shouldn't need that much makeup or should have to apply any at all thanks to your dewy -well rested - cucumber water drinking- complexion, right?
Wrong. I am supposedly according to my bloods a pinnacle of good health. Apart from elevated white cells and the things you can't change through a healthy lifestyle , I was, I am, as healthy as a horse.
But what do you do when you're healthy on the inside, but don't feel good about yourself or your looks? Health can reach only so far, but when beauty, your physical appearance is making you feel down how do your pick yourself up - reminding yourself, yes you still are a bomb ass human being regardless of things that are out of your control affecting your outward beauty. When my skin was at it's worst, I couldn't wear makeup, I couldn't have long nails, some of my clothes created an itch, and even sometimes washing my hair too often caused me grief.
So, how is a young woman meant to keep her confidence levels, well level, when all this is happening to her? She figures out what she can do to make herself feel better, both physically and mentally, when she's at her worst.
“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
Everyone will vary obviously on what makes them feel and look good, this list is derived from my own experiences of when I felt my self esteem was low. I can still remember looking down at my glittery nails after visiting Tropical Popical, and the instant wave of happiness that washed over me admiring my nails. Glittery nails that day, made two weeks worth of feeling low disappear instantly - even though it did go against my doctors wishes, oops. But at the end of the day your happiness needs to be made by yourself sometimes, you've the power to remain feeling bad or as the saying goes turn that frown upside down and make your fantastic self feel glamorous and beautiful again.1. Get your nails did.
As I have just said, the happiness that was created from just getting my nails done is hilarious to reflect on, but it hit the nail on the head. I was struggling to feel glamorous during a time where my hands were in a terrible state, my face worse, I had even lost eyebrow hair! So I booked myself in to get a manicure in possibly one of the coolest nail salons in Dublin - Tropical Popical. Between the fun decor and the mindless chit chat you have with the nail technician, anything that has been troubling you becomes less important, and with a glam manicure to admire you feel ready to tackle life again. I still to do this day try to keep my nails in good shape, as it definitely makes me feel better about my outward appearance when my nails are on point.
2. Acknowledge you're feelings.
Don't brush them under the carpet. Those feelings are still there even if you have pushed them down, eventually over time all those suppressed emotions will become too much. Take a moment to yourself and ask yourself why you're feeling like this at this moment .
3. Bubble Toil &
Gather your favourite scented candles, a good book or even your iPad for a quick Netflix session and set up your own spa retreat in your bathroom. Indulge yourself with your favourite beauty products. I personally love to throw in a lush bath bomb when I need some extra relaxation time when I have emollient baths, or apply a detox clay mask from L'Oreal. Most people with skin conditions will find themselves having regular baths with emollients, but that does not mean you still can't make each bath as enjoyable as a bubble bath. This goes for regular readers too, a good bath is great for unwinding and feeling good. If you want to take it a step further, really treat yourself by booking a night away at a spa resort - or if that is too expensive there are some amazing beauty salons you can treat yourself to a full body massage or a hydrating facial. I've been reading great reviews about Monart recently, and Groupon always have deals for such things.
4. Reach out to someone.
I used to be afraid I would be judged for how badly I felt about my skin conditions, and that I would be thought of less if I opened up about it. I've since learnt that reaching out to a loving, understanding person is one of the best things you can do. Let them consolidate you, take the compliments, let yourself realize you are indeed an amazing beautiful person inside and out.
5. Get sweaty.
Exercise has always been a winner for myself when I'm feeling shitty. It may take an hour to convince yourself to go for that walk or head to the gym. But once you start that session, you'll without a doubt feel ten times better by the end of it. We all know exercise is good for you to stay healthy, on top of that it realizes happy chemicals into our brains - the magical chemical that is Dopamine. I'm not going to spend too long listing why exercise is so amazing, but thanks to this chemical, exercise helps with everything from confidence, anxiety and stress. Over time exercise will change our bodies and that improves our confidence consequently, aiding in stress and anxiety relief is more immediate I would think from experience thanks to dopamine. So next time you feel that slump of self doubt and lack of confidence start to wash over you, rather than hiding underneath your duvet wrapped up like a burrito, rid yourself of those negative vibes and start working up a sweat. I swear by this tactic, work has me stressed? I hit the gym. My skin is playing up, and even when it leaves me housebound, a home workout is always a good answer.
6. Buy yourself some flowers! Or the equivalent to flowers that makes you instantly feel happier. If it is a Big Mac, you go get that Big Mac - Oh and go large too.
7. Just Cry.
Just let it out. We can all have the best intentions to do everything listed above and more, but sometimes all we really need to do is cry. Growing up it's common enough to hear phrases like "Don't cry over spilled milk" or "Stop being a cry-baby". Well, I am saying it right now, cry over that milk. I am deadly serious. It's human nature, sorry no , its adult-nature to try stop ourselves from crying over "silly things" like this. But, it can be the most minuscule things that create the tidal wave of emotion, making it all too much to handle. I've lost count of how many times the tiniest of things have sent me over the edge. Now, I am not saying to suppress your emotions till this happens, but rather when you feel that bubble of emotion began to expand in your throat , do not swallow, let it rise up and cry. Crying is healthy. And sometimes the best medicine to a bad situation or feeling shitty is to cry and you'll soon be asking yourself why you let yourself feel that way in the first place.
8. Go for a snooze
One of my particular favourites, go for a lie down. Or as some may call it, a nap. I like to call it a lie down because I can fall asleep if the desire overtakes me. Otherwise I just daydream, and focus on my breathing. Having a snooze can sometimes be an instant fix for when you feel a bit rocky. You go to sleep/daydream feeling one way, and by the time you let yourself reenter reality you're worries have floated away along with the emotional cobwebs that were covering your mind in a negative haze. This is for a sure a mental pick me up.
Now go forth and love yourself lovelies! Take note - These are all things I have personally done to help myself feel better both mentally and physically. Most of the mental pick me ups, in turn have improved my outlook on my looks. If you have any other tips comment below!
L
