We all want to like what we see in the mirror, but with busy lives, demanding jobs and children to raise it’s easy to let your appearance fall by the wayside. The colder months make it easy to hide away, but in the spring we’re more inclined to want to strip off the layers and get out in the sun. We make promises to ourselves every year that we’ll lose weight, tone up and look after ourselves better in time for summer, but we don’t need to radically change the way we look to learn to love ourselves – all it takes are a few self-care hacks to help us look and feel our best.
If the promise of a brighter and warmer season has you eager to spruce up your look, then these five tips are for you. Here’s how to brush off the cobwebs and look your very best this spring.
Wear Clothes That Fit
It doesn’t matter what shape or size you are, wearing clothes that fit properly will flatter and enhance the parts of your figure you love and make you look your best. Despite knowing this, we’re all guilty of holding on to too-tight clothes in the hope that they’ll fit again or drown our bodies in clothes that are far too big to hide what we don’t like. If you want to embrace the way you look, however, then it’s time to do things differently.
Start by trying on every item of clothing you own and asking yourself, honestly, if it makes you look your best. You can consult a friend or family member for their opinion if you’re not sure. Donate anything old or ill-fitting and treat yourself to some new clothes that are high-quality. Better yet, take this opportunity to invest in an organic cotton capsule wardrobe. Cheap, poorly made clothes tend to shrink and won’t last as long or fit as nicely as higher quality garments.
Take Care of Your Skin
It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing; if your skin looks tired and dull, then you won’t be looking your best. Create a skincare routine that’s easy to stick to, and make sure you wash your face with water every day. Skincare is different for everyone, but as a general rule you should cleanse with a gentle soap every day, exfoliate once a week and moisturize with a lotion or cream.
Make sure you keep your nails looking trim and clean and maintain your body hair in a way that feels right for you. Sensitive skin can flare up with certain hair removal methods, so try a few different ones before deciding which is right for you – whether it’s waxing, shaving, plucking or threading.
Adjust Your Diet
The food we put in our bodies has a dramatic effect on how we look and feel, so if you’re not at your best then changing your diet is the first step toward change. No one’s saying you have to deprive yourself of the foods you love, but simply upping your fruit and veg intake and cutting out processed foods will give you more energy and help you manage your weight. If you’re too busy to adopt a new diet, or you’re not sure where to start then consider following an approved diet program. SANE is a great solution for anyone looking to lose weight and get healthier without having to count calories or go hungry. For more information, visit sanesolution.com.
Stay Hydrated
It can’t be stressed enough: drinking eight glasses of water every day will dramatically improve your health, the appearance of your hair and skin, and your weight. Carry a bottle with you at all times and set reminders on your phone to rehydrate if you’re prone to forgetting when to drink. Try to reduce sugar and caffeinated beverages, and avoid consuming too much alcohol: these drinks can easily dehydrate you, which will have a detrimental effect on both your appearance and your health. If you have trouble remembering to drink water, get yourself the Hidrate Spark water bottle that GLOWS to remind you to stay hydrated! This high-tech water bottle tracks your water intake and syncs it with your smartphones (iOS and Android) via Bluetooth. It also integrates with Fitbit watches and the Apple Watch to adjust your daily water goal to your actual daily activity level.
Practice Self-Care
The term self-care means something different to everyone. To you, it may mean incorporating all of the above steps – eating well, drinking water and looking after your skin – or it could mean taking a little time alone each day. Whichever way you choose to practice self-care, know that it is essential for good health.
Part of looking your best is learning how to spot your body’s needs and meeting them. Make sure you get around eight hours sleep each night, spend time outdoors, attend your regular medical checkups and move your body each day. If you can learn to put yourself first sometimes, everyone around you will benefit –and you will start to look and feel like your best self.
