Article by: Sheila Olsen 

When you look and feel good, you shine. You’re more productive, people are more accepting, success follows you, and life has a sweet flow to it. Of course, getting there can take some doing. We can be our own biggest enemies, letting our fears hold us back from becoming the successful, beautiful people we desperately wish to be. Life may also sometimes get in the way, throwing up surprises and unexpected obstacles that can push us off balance from time to time. 

But being your best self isn’t as hard as you think. All you need is a resolution, backed by some consistent effort, to evolve into the best version of you. Ring Bandits offers some handpicked tips and tricks to help you get there:     

Relax more 

Being productive is important – but so is relaxing. Your body isn’t a machine and needs downtime to function at its best. Relaxing comes with multiple health benefits, says NorthShore – like reduced heart rate, less pain, better mental health, and better energy. When you take time to unwind, let go, and just breathe, you’ll feel better and automatically become more confident in yourself.  

Focus on your outer beauty 

Beauty matters – not just to other people, but also to you (people are hardwired to like beauty). If you take time to groom yourself and dress well, you feel good and look good, not to mention end up feeling good about yourself in general. It does wonders for your self-esteem. People will notice and respond accordingly, which will only add to the positivity. So don’t hesitate to pamper yourself once in a while, and give yourself a makeover if you need to. 

Focus on your inner beauty too 

Inner beauty is just as important as outer beauty. Practicing gratitude – actively being thankful for all your blessings, however small – and being kind to other people, for instance, has a way of building up good energy, which comes back to you in various ways. It also puts you in a more positive, optimistic mindset overall, which makes you happier and can add years to your life. 

Pick up an exciting new physical sport 

Did you know being physically fit makes you more attractive? Physical fitness correlates to health, which correlates to beauty. It’s all connected. Consider picking up an exciting physical activity if you can like rock climbing, bicycling, sailing, or anything else that appeals to you. It will make you fitter, healthier, and beautiful. And if it’s exciting, you’re more likely to stick to it. If you want to help keep your motivation up, invest a little money in some gear, such as a Fitbit or athletic wear from Ring Bandits.

Be conscious about your food 

Your body is made up of whatever you put into it. Like a high-performance vehicle, it needs high-performance fuel to function optimally. If you insist on feeding it junk, it’s going to slow down, be sluggish, and make you feel bad. Eating healthy food – the kind that’s highly nutritious and easy to digest – will give it a substantial boost. It will benefit your energy levels, mental health, and overall well-being.  

Spend your time wisely for a balanced day 

Time, just like money, is a finite resource you need to invest wisely. Spending it with intent, according to Additude, allows you to make the most of your day. You can focus on what matters – like your health or your work – and spend less time on frivolities that drain you or make you feel bad. Essentially, spending your time wisely is necessary if you want to look or feel good. 

Find a more meaningful line of work  

Your work takes up a significant part of your day. It also contributes to your identity and influences how you feel about yourself. If you find your job to be too stressful or even meaningless, it’s going to affect your mental and physical health. You should switch careers to a more fulfilling line of work if you need to. If you need an advanced degree such as a doctorate for the career you want, you can earn it online while still working or looking after your family. If you do decide to enroll in an online school, make sure it’s accredited and offers reasonable tuition rates. 

Make new friends

Jim Rohn says you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. It’s debatable whether this is the absolute truth, but there’s no denying the fact that the people you interact with the most have a massive influence on you. When they’re toxic or negative, for instance, it’s going to make you feel bad. Being around positive, healthy people, on the other hand, is going to have the opposite effect. It’s easier to look good and feel good when you’re supported by the people around you.   

Create an achievements journal 

An achievements journal is a book that you use to track – and celebrate – your achievements in life. These include both big achievements – think promotions and degrees – and small ones – like eating healthy for the day or doing a nice deed for someone. Keeping a record of your achievement makes you feel good, giving you a sense of progress over time. Knowing how much you’ve accomplished also boosts your self-confidence. It’s not good to rest on your laurels, of course, but it’s good to acknowledge the laurels every once in a while. 

Grow

Kids have an easier time being happy than adults. One of the primary reasons for this is they’re constantly seeking out new, expansive experiences. These experiences cause them to grow, which comes with a significant happiness and well-being boost. As an adult grappling with many responsibilities, we often fail to seek out new experiences, challenges, and growth opportunities. Keep your inner child alive and pursue growth whenever you can to remain happy. 

Conclusion 

If you’d like to look and feel good long-term, make self-care a part of your lifestyle. Prioritize your health and wellbeing, learn how to manage stress to function at your best, and find inner peace (it’s all about maintaining your inner balance regardless of what’s going on around you).