In a busy world such as we live in today, it’s not unusual for the day to day stress to reflect in your health as well as in your appearance. You may find it challenging to make time to look after your health as you should, or perhaps you are unsure of the best ways to do so.
As life gets busier and work and family are placing larger demands upon you, you my find that you are getting less sleep, less exercise, and feeling more stressed. While you may not be suffering from serious health conditions, the stress of daily life may affect you in different ways. This can be in form of fatigue, depression, achy muscles and joints, as well as how you look such as baggy eyes and tired looking skin. And let’s be honest, as much as we realize the importance of our health and wellness, most of us are also concerned with how we look. Your inner health and outer appearance usually go hand in hand.
The good news is that the solution to these problems is easily within your control. Some of the things you can do to reduce stress and improve your appearance can be done at home and don’t require much effort. Others have better results if you find professional guidance. Here are some natural solutions for leading a healthier life so you can look AND feel better.
Exercise regularly
The body simply functions better and looks better with regular exercise. The expression “Move it or Lose it” is accurate. Exercising improves circulation reduces stress, improves posture, helps reduce body fat, and makes you look and feel healthier. In addition, you will enjoy better digestion, which means you absorb nutrients more efficiently which supports your overall health. Ideally you would get the most benefit from incorporating regular resistance training and interval training cardiovascular exercise into your weekly routine, but even walking more often is enough to boost energy, blow off stress, and improve physical health.
Eat the right food
Your diet plays a big role in the state of your health. A healthy diet is one that focuses on nourishing the body with the right nutrients in the right quantity. Having a balanced diet that focuses on primarily unprocessed “whole food” and natural ingredients provides you with high quality nutrition while avoiding chemical additives that can negatively affect your digestion and your health. Make sure you consume several portions of fruits and vegetables each day, as these foods are very nutrient dense and will give your body the micronutrition and fiber it needs to function optimally. A good diet will provide your body with ideal protection against illnesses and help to reduce the physical signs of aging by fighting oxidative stress in your cells.
Use body care products with “natural ingredients”
Skin care creams and lotions (such as under-eye creams) can also help to rejuvenate your skin’s health and appearance. Many people overlook their choice of body care products and assume one product is as good as the other. However, products made with natural ingredients are superior as they help to restore and refresh your skin without the additional harmful chemicals or drying agents (such as alcohol). Natural ayurvedic products are an ideal example of safe, healthy products made from ingredients that will not only nourish the skin but help it to regain its elasticity. Combining natural skin care products such as this in addition to regular exercise and proper nutrition will improve your skin’s health and appearance from the inside and out.
Find alternative stress relief options
You can relieve the stress in your life by using a variety of methods. You may find intense exercise too challenging to take on initially, but there are other options that will bring some relief as well. Some good suggestions for stress relief include: Meditation, Massage therapy, Aromatherapy, and Reflexology. You can also simply use breathing exercises to relieve stress and to clear the mind after a busy day at work. Even going for a walk outside and getting some fresh air and natural sunlight exposure can be incredibly effective at reducing stress and relieving depression.
With the above suggestions you can take control of your health and manage stress to look and feel your best.
