10 Things You Can Do for Yourself to Look and Feel Your Best

Less really is more when it comes to beauty and feeling your best. We all know that inner and outer beauty are connected — so when you feel good, you look good too! Here are 10 practices I try to follow.

1. Healthy Diet: If you fill your body with junk, it will show in the condition of your skin and hair. Eating a diet full of whole foods is best. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. Foods like salmon and walnuts are rich in essential fatty acids, which help keep our bodies resilient. Foods rich in calcium are good for healthy teeth and bones. You really are what you eat.

2. Practice Safe Sun: Sun damage is a major cause of wrinkles, sun spots, and pigment changes. Use a good sunscreen and wear protective clothing and hats when outdoors. Also, don’t forget to wear sunglasses; they are one of your best beauty tools.

3. Don’t Smoke: Smoking constricts your blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the skin. You are basically reducing and destroying the collagen in your skin, which will cause your complexion to droop, sag, and develop premature wrinkles.

4. Stay Hydrated: This is the most important thing you can do for your skin and overall health. It not only will help you avoid issues such as dizziness or heart problems but hydration also will do wonders for your hair and skin. In addition to drinking water, add water-dense foods to your diet such as cucumbers, watermelon, citrus fruits, grapes, and tomatoes.

5. Humidify Your Home: Add moisture to your home by using a humidifier or by placing more house plants and bowls of water near heat sources. Humidity will help your skin and hair, especially during the fall and winter when we tend to spend more time indoors.

6. Beauty Sleep: Nighttime is when our bodies rest and skin repairs itself. Getting a good night’s sleep is important, so aim for at least seven to nine hours each night, if you can. A good night’s sleep will make you feel good, and that always makes you look your best.