Taking Care of the Outside to Take Care of the Inside

Taking Care of the Outside, to Take Care of the Inside

Back in the 1980s, comedian Billy Crystal had a character named Fernando whose catch phrase was “It’s better to look good than to feel good.” Well, that’s not exactly true. Just ask someone with a serious illness — given the choice between rock-hard abs and not being sick, most would choose the latter. However, while looking good might not be an alternative to feeling good, it can help you feel better.

Looking Good and Feeling Good

Taking care of your appearance might seem superficial, but issues with appearance can deal a serious blow to someone’s confidence and self-esteem.

Several illnesses can often have effects that can change a person’s appearance and there are several organizations, like Look Good Feel Better and Locks of Love, that have devoted years to improving the appearance of adults and children alike. These appearance-boosting sessions don’t just improve self-esteem, they also help patients cope better with their treatments and the challenges of managing their illnesses.

The poor, the unemployed, and other economically disadvantaged have also benefited from little improvements. There are dry cleaners who offer free services to the unemployed, so they can look their best on job interviews; there are clothing banks where women can find nice clothing for job interviews; and there are dentists who offer free cleanings and checkups, for health and brighter smiles.

Taking Care of Your Appearance

You don’t have to be seriously ill, unemployed, or poor to reap the benefits of taking care of your appearance. In fact, there are little things that you can do today that can make a big difference tomorrow.

Clothing

We all have those clothes that no longer fit, or seemed like a good idea when we bought them. Not only are these clothes taking up space in our lives, they’re cluttering up our hearts. Take an afternoon to go through your closet; remove anything that doesn’t fit, or that you never wear, and either give it away, take it to a consignment shop, or throw it out.

If you have clothes that fit but don’t fit well, consider getting them tailored. A lot of clothing manufacturers design based on how they think bodies should look, which leaves a lot of people out in the cold. Simple alterations from a tailor or seamstress can correct the designer’s mistakes and make you look wonderful.

You should also take your measurements before you go clothing shopping. Women’s size labels are notoriously unreliable – one manufacturer’s size 10 is another’s eight – but measurements are straightforward. And don’t be afraid to enlist the aid of the store clerk in finding the best fit, color, and style.

Makeup and Cosmetics

Just as with your clothing, you should periodically go through your makeup box and get rid of anything that has expired, or that you no longer wear. You should also consider having your colors done to determine which hues work best with your skin tone.

If you have any skin conditions, like eczema or skin tags, although many of these skin conditions aren’t life-threatening, they can affect your self-esteem. There are several natural products that can reduce their appearance or treat your symptoms. Some products, like those at Amoils.com, are homeopathic or contain essential oils; others might use vitamins, minerals, and fruit acids. However, if you are under treatment, you should always consult with your physician or dermatologist before adding anything to your treatment routine.

Hair and Nails

A regular cut and style can keep your hair looking its best, even if you’re trying to grow your hair out. Even a simple trim can make the difference between a glorious mane and an Einstein fright wig. Between trips to the salon you can use deep-conditioning treatments to maintain your hair’s luster and vitality.

Gray hair can be a badge of honor, a symbol of a life well-lived. But if you are unhappy with your gray, then there’s no shame in doing something about it. There are products that can cover the gray, but there are also things that can brighten it and make it even more striking.

Beyond Skin Deep

Clothing, cosmetics, and hair treatments all work on the surface to make you look good, but there are also things you can do for your health that will help you look better and feel better:

·  Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke damages your skin, and it can also damage your organs;

·  Eat a healthful diet, the vitamins and minerals will feed your skin and hair, and keep you healthy;

·  Drink plenty of water to hydrate your skin and hair, and keep your organs functioning well;

·  Exercise regularly to relieve stress, and for cardiovascular conditioning. As an added bonus, upbeat exercise music can also improve your mood.