Look as good as you feel
And feel as good as you look …
Body image and self-esteem are inextricably linked and directly influence one another. Body image is the mental picture you have of your body…how you perceive yourself when you look in the mirror. Self-esteem is how you value and respect yourself as a person.
We’ve all heard the saying “beauty is not skin deep” and that if you feel good on the inside you will look good on the outside. But it’s not as simple as that in real life. In fact if you look good on the outside you will automatically feel a lot better on the inside! How we look and how we feel are very closely linked.
It makes sense then to strive to look as good as possible physically. However it is equally important to value yourself as a unique individual, and spend as much effort and time working on your inner beauty as well.
Audrey Hepburn rightly said that true beauty relies on the essence of your inner spirit. Yet we are not all born with the natural perfection of Audrey Hepburn. If we really want to feel and look our best we’re going to need some help!
Physical appearance does not define your character and value but it affects your confidence and level of contentment, your mood and even energy levels. Your happiness is directly influenced by your self-esteem and the image you project.
Good self-care is a sign of a healthy self-esteem. The more highly you value yourself, the more you will want to take care of yourself. It is a misconception that people who have aesthetic procedures and treatments are people with low self-esteem. People who make use of aesthetic medicine are often confident, well-adjusted, successful people who simply know what they want and need to maintain a positive self-image.
Nobody raises an eyebrow when you take care of your hair or your nails. So why should it be a secret that you take care of your skin? Regular facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, the use of different laser and light therapies, dermal fillers and wrinkle treatments go a long way to improving self image. Body sculpting treatments and weight loss programmes help boost self-confidence, health and sense of wellbeing.
It is important to maintain a healthy perspective though. Aiming for perfection is self-defeating and a waste of time and energy. Rather aim to be the best “you” you can be. Build on your physical strengths and character strengths. Accept and respect yourself and your unique characteristics. Celebrate differences. Accept your body’s functional nature. Say “thank you” to your hard working hands, be grateful to your legs for carrying you!
Develop a personal style that says “I like me!”
Let go of comparison and competition as there is no one ideal image or shape. Focus on health and wellness. Look as good as you feel…Feel as good as you look. But most of all strive to keep a balance between your inner and outer beauty. Back to more wise words from Audrey Hepburn:
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair let a child run their fingers through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone”
Audrey Hepburn