Wondering how you can make next year’s list of Most Beautiful People? Looking good starts well before picking fabulous outfits and a great hairstyle. Here are 5 tips that’ll keep you from looking like Nick Nolte at your next photo shoot.
1. Sleep Tight: Partying ‘till dawn is what all the beautiful people do, right? Well, go for it, but make sure you eventually get your 8 hours of shut-eye. Though lack of sleep isn’t the main cause of dark circles under your eyes — you can blame your gene pool for that one — it certainly doesn’t help.
2. Jogging Pretty: We all know how important exercise is to maintaining a healthy weight, but it also keeps you looking younger. Aging causes our muscles to lose tone and relax and our joints to become stiffer. A regular toning routine can help to preserve flexibility and suppleness.
3. Break Time: It might seem like incorporating all this sleeping and exercise into your already busy routine won’t leave you any time to spare for a bit of R&R — but you’d better find some. Lack of regular periods of relaxation heightens stress levels, which sends some seriously nasty hormones cruising through your body.
4. Straighten Up: It makes us sound like a 1950s finishing school, but we can’t overemphasize the importance of good posture. Standing up straight makes you look good even if you’re wearing a muumuu. What’s more, poor posture leads to a constant strain. Hunchbacks don’t generally make the cover of magazines.
5. Beauty Blockbuster: Want to reduce the incidence of worry lines? Lower stress hormones? Project a natural, healthy radiance? The secret is a lot cheaper than a high-end facelift: We’re talking about happiness. The human brain is wired to recognize the subtleties of a person’s expression — so get out there and smile!
Age Redefined
Redefining ourselves as we age is a whole new era in the 20th century. In my practice, women in their 30s report redefining themselves by becoming professionals and starting a family; running a household, juggling everything they possibly can. No longer are women the stay-at-home moms of yesteryear. Men in their 30s totally realize the importance of working and investing more time in the family. As family men, they are teaming up with their spouse to help more with the children so both can find time for each other. Aging slowly takes most of us by surprise. At about age 40, they find themselves looking in the mirror one day, or getting up out of a chair, or trying to do something and suddenly realize that they’ve actually gotten older. At about age 50, they can’t run at the same pace or with the same stamina. Weight regulation and their health have become a problem. Fine lines begin to appear. Grey hair is more noticeable. The thought of not being able to keep up or feel as young as you used to is devastating. The good news I tell my clients, is that with a loving partner, a vibrant sex life, daily exercise, enough sleep and a healthy diet, middle age can be the best part of your life. Men and women in their 60s and 70s are playing tennis, climbing mountains, riding bikes, making greater achievements than are many of their more youthful counterparts. Aging should be less looked upon as stages of life to be dreaded or feared, but fully enjoy and embraced!
›Lisette Beraja is a Psychotherapist, a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and Founder of Beraja Counseling Center, providing guidance and counseling to individuals, families and couples for over 10 years. She is also a Florida Supreme Court Family Mediator and an 11th Judicial Court approved Parenting Coordinator. To set up an appointment, call her at 305.858.7763 or visit her website at BerajaCounseling.com.
“Never pick a fight with an ugly person, they’ve got nothing to lose.”
— Robin Williams
Half Ugly!
About half of all online dating users admit to doctoring their photos or retouching them in a manner that makes them appear more attractive. Of course, the joke’s on them because if they ever meet in person, the expectations will be too high.
Weight Issues
Two decades ago, female models in magazines weight about 10% less than the average woman. Today, the difference is nearly 25% more. This trend goes both ways: The average woman has grown and the models feel more pressure to be thin.
Happy Tunes
A recent poll found that when both men and women are feeling low, or just nostalgic, a good way to boost self-esteem is to listen to their favorite “Comfort Songs.” Can’t find that old, dusty CD you love? That’s what iTunes and YouTube are for!
