Learn To Grow From Within
One of my least favorite jobs is cleaning out our bathroom drawers. Things and dust accumulate and I realize how many items I’ve purchased that I don’t really need.
For years I spent money on topical things for my body - clothing, make-up, perfumes. I focused on what I put ON my body, thinking I could paint on a picture of glowing health instead of what was going on IN my body. As time went on, I began working on living a healthier lifestyle and teaching my patients to do the same. It became clear, you look your best when you are balanced - physically, emotionally and spiritually. What matters most is the health and strength of the body, mind and spirit - not what we put ON our bodies. If you want to be beautiful (and save some money!), learn to glow from within.
GLOW FROM WITHIN.
Most of us want to be beautiful. It’s human nature. We want strong, thick hair, glowing skin and a strong physique. Feeling attractive is an innate human condition. Getting there is another story. I’m finding more and more, our beauty cannot be purchased – it must be LIVED.
THE SECRET TO TRUE BEAUTY IS LIVING A BEAUTIFUL LIFE!
Don’t get me wrong, I still love makeup and a good smelling perfume. I love to wash my hair with a quality shampoo and I really love good fashion. But I try to keep my routine sparse - light makeup, minimal skin care products and a simple wardrobe. The more I take care of myself with a balanced lifestyle - the less those things really matter.
Your body reflects your level of balance. Do you want your skin to glow? Drink plenty of water, eat a clean diet and stay away from too many toxins. Do you want to stand tall with confidence? Work on your strength and physical fitness and work on any emotional blocks that are sapping your confidence. You will find, if you are eating well, moving your body with gentle exercise, sleeping well, maintaining healthy relationships, devoting enough time to spirituality and getting out in nature, you will GLOW. Everything else will be icing on the cake.
If you want to be beautiful, be beautiful to yourself. If you want to feel beautiful, do beautiful things. Here are some simple things you can do to start getting your own “glow on.”
SIX WAYS TO START GLOWING FROM WITHIN:
One step at a time. I tell my patients that a personal transformation is a marathon not a race. If you want true lasting beauty, give yourself the time to make the following changes slowly and gently.
Use your food as fuel. The standard American diet (SAD) is a recipe for disaster. Highly processed foods, refined sugars, unhealthy fats, artificial ingredients and pure over eating have led to an obesity epidemic that’s killing our country. Educate yourself on how to eat healthy. Think “eat food, not too much, mostly plants” my favorite quote by Michael Pollan.
Daily movement is a must. Set a goal for healthy movement most days of the week. Think beyond exercise and focus on doing activities you enjoy. Dance, cycle, snowshoe, hike. Combining your movement and passions makes it fun and sustainable.
Sleeping Beauty is more than a fairy tale! You can eat clean and exercise daily, but if you’re failing to get quality sleep, you’re missing the mark. Set sleep routines, aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep nightly and get medical attention if you are suffering from insomnia. A good integrative medicine physician can help you.
Tame your tension. I always giggle when I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror when I am stressed or angry. My family and my husband especially would agree that it’s not pretty! The way you feel on the inside and the thoughts you allow to cycle through your mind will be written all over how you look and carry yourself. Don’t sweat the little things, there are no big things and get help if you are in a constant state of inner turmoil.
Just give it a try. I often deal with people who say they are too far-gone or that they cannot imagine a clean lifestyle. I can guarantee you that given a few months of clean living, you will be addicted. When I am off track, I crave the routines that bring me back to healthy balance and I can guarantee you will too!!
Leave me a note in the comments and let me know what steps you can take today to start glowing from within!