How to Be Beautiful Naturally -

It’s natural for us to appreciate what’s visually appealing–and to aspire to be that way. And yes, a little makeup can boost that allure for both ourselves and those around us.But while a swipe of lipstick can certainly enhance your look, true beauty goes beyond the surface, stemming from the inside–figuratively and literally. Read on to learn how to be beautiful naturally through targeted lifestyle shifts that work wonders for both your internal and external health.

How to be beautiful naturally using lifestyle habits

Drink plenty of water.

Proper hydration is vital for all aspects of your well-being. That’s because water makes up between 45% and 70% of the human adult body, supporting its overall structure and function. And yet, some studies estimate that a whopping 47% of Americans don’t drink enough water. If you’re among this dehydrated segment of the population, you may suffer serious consequences–to both your health and appearance.Dehydration can lead to a variety of illnesses, as well as higher stress levels. Both of these issues can contribute to nutrient deficiencies that weaken nails and affect hair strength and growth. Water facilitates the transport of essential vitamins and minerals throughout the body. What’s more, dehydration reduces elasticity in the skin, making it more vulnerable to fine lines and environmental stressors that accelerate aging.While individual needs vary depending on activity levels and overall wellness, experts recommend drinking half your body weight in ounces of water daily. This amount provides ample hydration to keep the cells throughout your body healthy–and your complexion more youthful and glowing.

Eat good fats.

It might sound strange, but eating healthy fats can work wonders for your natural beauty. One reason is they help reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol.Researchers have uncovered a link between high LDL and certain skin conditions like psoriasis. If you struggle with an inflammatory skin condition, eating more healthy fats may help make your complexion:

Smoother
Less inflamed
More radiant

Polyunsaturated fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, also reduce blood triglycerides and combat inflammation, which researchers have linked to psoriasis and acne. And monounsaturated fats like oleic acid support healthy skin barrier function, resulting in smoother, more supple, and hydrated skin.So add these foods to your grocery list, and enjoy often:

Fatty fish (salmon, oysters, tuna)
Eggs
Dairy, including milk and yogurt
Avocados
Olive oil

Smile more.

It can be all too easy to get caught up in the stress of day-to-day life and forget to smile. But this simple act is actually a powerful beauty enhancer. Studies show smiling not only makes you look more approachable to other people, but helps you appear younger, too. It also stimulates facial muscles and increases blood flow, which can contribute to a healthier, more radiant complexion.Here are a few other reasons to smile more:

Elevated mood: Smiling–especially while laughing–releases feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain like dopamine and serotonin, helping you feel happier–even if you’re forcing it.
Stress reduction: Research shows smiling decreases cortisol levels. Reducing this stress hormone can help combat skin inflammation, potentially alleviating conditions like acne and eczema.
Lower blood pressure: Smiling can reduce blood pressure, which some studies have linked to fewer visible pores and wrinkles. This is likely because high blood pressure constricts blood vessels, reducing circulation to the skin. Hypertension can also accelerate the breakdown of vital skin proteins like collagen, accelerating wrinkles.

Even if you’re having a tough day, you can find something to smile about, be it:

Family
Friends
Beloved pets
The beauty of nature
Simply your health

So make it a habit to boost your well-being and outer beauty, naturally, by smiling more often.

Practice mindfulness meditation.

You’ve likely heard about the effects of mindfulness meditation on mental health, but did you know it can also have big beauty benefits?Studies show regular meditation can help:

Reduce stress and, therefore, cortisol levels, potentially combating skin conditions like acne and eczema
Lower blood pressure, supporting a smoother, more youthful complexion
Promote restful sleep, which is critical for skin repair, as well as banishing dark circles under the eyes
Diminish the body’s inflammatory responses, supporting skin barrier function
Boost blood flow, allowing for ample oxygen and nutrient delivery to the skin
Stimulate feelings of gratitude and confidence, potentially helping you feel more beautiful–and look more attractive to others

And you don’t need to meditate for hours upon hours to reap these benefits. Five to ten minutes a day can be enough to create consistent, lasting changes in your well-being and appearance.To get started, find a quiet place and simply focus on your breath. Observe the sensations in your body without judgment, and when your mind starts to wander, acknowledge the thoughts, let them go, and come back to your breathing.True beauty comes from within–in both a figurative and literal sense. Now that you know how to make yourself more beautiful using healthy lifestyle habits, set aside some time to commit to these practices and pay attention to how you feel and look. Soon, you may just notice some life-changing transformations–in your mind, skin, and overall sense of well-being.