We all understand the importance of physical health, but what about mental health? How closely is it connected to what we see in the mirror? Studies have shown that there’s an undeniable connection between feeling good about our appearance and our mental wellbeing. This article will explore the fascinating relationship between beauty and mental health — how one affects the other and the impact that an understanding of this can have on of our lives.
1. The Mental Health-Beauty Connection
It’s no secret that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can benefit not just your physical health, but your mental health too. Stress, depression, and anxiety are common examples of mental health issues that can have a real impact on your life but also your appearance. We want to take a closer look at how the two are connected.
Physical Appearance & Stress
When our stress levels are high, it’s hard to feel good about our looks. According to research, our beliefs about our physical appearance can, in turn, affect our mental health. Taking good care of our bodies can be an important step towards managing our mental health.
Anxiety & Diet
When it comes to diet and mental health, there’s a clear connection as what you eat can influence your mood. Eating unhealthy or processed food can produce feelings of depression or anxiety while nutritious food has the potential to reduce stress levels. Eating healthier, balanced meals can aid in managing your mental health.
Skincare & Mood Elevation
Taking the time to pamper yourself with a skincare regimen can have a positive effect on your mental health. The act of applying a hydrating mask or moisturizer can be calming and help with stress reduction. A skincare routine can also provide a sense of satisfaction when you see the results it can yield such as glowing, hydrated skin.
From food to skincare and physical activity, there’s a deep connection between beauty and mental health. A mindful approach to our lifestyle, incorporating the right foods, exercise, and skincare practices can help us work towards better mental health and maintain a healthy relationship with our physical appearance.
2. Seeing Is Not Always Believing
- Why Our Perception of Reality May Not Be Accurate
Our eyes are natural truth-tellers. We rely on them for navigating through life, relying on them to continually report what our reality looks like. However, just because we see something, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the truth.
We’re more than capable of being fooled, and while our eyes may remain fixated on a single image, they don’t grasp the entire truth. We can easily miss key details or form a picture of inaccurate information because of our own misperceptions and errors.
For instance, our eyes may be tricked by our brains to make us believe something is blue, when in reality it’s actually red. This is an example of ‘confirmation bias’ which can lead us to misinterpret or overestimate what we perceive. Furthermore, we could completely misinterpret what we observe in a different foreign context or cultural context.
Likewise, we may come across a situation where we’re tricked by an optical illusion. Optical illusions are crafted with the purpose of deceiving us. They’re designed to confuse us as our eyes struggle to separate the illusion from reality. In this way, it’s not so much that our eyes are unable to tell the truth, but rather that they’re unable to tell everything.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that our eyes can’t always tell the full story. While they are an effective tool for navigating our everyday lives, they can’t always be trusted to provide absolute accuracy. It pays to double-check and be aware of our own cognitive biases. Doing so gives us a more comprehensive understanding of the reality around us.
3. Beauty as a Source of Strength
Beauty is often associated with superficiality, but it can also be seen as a source of inner strength. No matter the physical shape or size, all people possess unique and individual beauty. It’s not always visible to the eye, but can be found in the depths of one’s character or soul.
It’s important to claim and appreciate one’s own beauty. Ugly words and feelings can chip away at one’s self-esteem, so it’s important to assert the reality of one’s beauty. It is essential to remind oneself of their worthiness and that of others.
There are many ways to access one’s inner beauty. Here are some tips for celebrating oneself as a beautiful and powerful being:
- Focus on the positive:Remind yourself of the good attributes you possess and don’t dwell on the negatives. Focusing on one’s strengths helps one to build confidence and re-energize.
- Prioritise self-care:Take regular time out to do things that make you feel nourished and content. Setting aside simple moments for self-care can be incredibly powerful.
- Make friends with your body:Celebrate it for the amazing vessel it is and all the good it does for you. It doesn’t have to look a certain way to be appreciated.
- Surround yourself with beauty:Look for beauty in nature, art, music, literature, and anything else that speaks to you. Seeking out what you find beautiful can make you feel more supported and reduce feelings of anxiety.
Beauty comes in many forms, whether it be physical, intellectual, emotional, creative, or spiritual. There is something special about each individual’s beauty and it is worth cultivating and savouring.
4. Taking Care of Your Inner and Outer Well-Being
Taking care of our wellbeing, both mentally and physically, is key to living a healthy life. Maintaining a proper balance between these two aspects can help us to take better care of ourselves and our environment.
Physical Well-Being
- An important part of our daily routine should be focused on physical health. This means exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and making sure to get enough sleep each night. Make it a habit to move your body in ways that feel good – this way, you’ll not only look better but also feel better.
- You should also be mindful of your posture and do regular stretches to keep your body limber and flexible. Taking regular breaks from seated activities can help to reduce physical tension and prevent health problems caused by extended periods of sitting.
Mental Well-Being
- It is also important to consider taking care of our mental health. Just like with physical health, it is important to make sure that we get adequate rest and restore our mental energy. Allowing ourselves time for introspection can be great for recharging our mental capacities and connecting more deeply with ourselves.
- Taking part in creative activities can help to stimulate our mental faculties, while engaging in fun social activities can help to relieve stress and keep our moods in an elevated state. Lastly, make sure to take some time for yourself each day to practice mindfulness and self-reflection.
Learning how to take proper care of both your mental and physical wellbeing is essential for truly living a healthy and fulfilling life. Utilizing a balanced approach that includes both physical and mental activities can help enhance self-care, while also helping us to foster healthier relationships with ourselves and others.
One thing is for sure, beautiful people do not have it all. Beauty should not be the sole determinant of happiness; or even of self-worth. So if your inner beauty is not quite there yet, don’t fret – true beauty comes from knowing who you are, being kind to yourself and others, and feeling secure in your skin. Let’s put aside the idealistic landscapes of a society where beauty matters more than anything else, and focus on what really matters: cultivating your own personal version of beauty.
