There is absolute no reason to feel guilty if you want to look & feel good. Infact , it keeps you inspired, gives you confidence, encourages you to connect with people and definitely puts a spring in your step even while doing your daily mundane chores. So here are some very simple steps-

1 – 10 MINUTES FOR YOURSELF EVERY MORNING

If need be wake up 15 minutes before your regular time and these few minutes make them exclusively yours . Do your breathing, meditation, stretches or prayers- whatever suits you best. These few minutes are going to keep you calm for the next few hours. Think of this short morning period as fuel for your calm demeanor. This inner peace is going to be a feel good factor. Doing this on a daily basis will have a direct effect on your skin and it will naturally glow. Be selfish about these few minutes before you selflessly give yourself to your family, home or work.

2 – HYDRATE

After the precious ‘ selfish’ moments make sure to hydrate yourself with room temperature or luke warm water. Hydration is a must for your digestive system to work actively and there is enough proof that hydration is the key word for a moisturized skin.

3 – CHOOSE CLOTHES THAT MAKE YOU LOOK GOOD

You do not have to necessarily get into party clothes, but there is absolutely no reason to look shabby. Dressing shabby will only deter you to take the next step forward. If you are at home, choose clothes which are comfortable but which put a smile on your face when you peep into the mirror. If stepping out for work, make sure you look your part- stand out, however, be appropriate, appear assertive but be approachable. It is important to not just follow trends but learn how to dress as per your body shape & colour.

4 – GROOM & ACCESSORISE

Even if you are at home it is a must to groom. Do your hair & nails. Wear light make up. A touch of blush, gloss or kajal can add that spark to face the day. Even the smallest accessory can perk up your appearance. We do not dress up for others, we first dress up for ourselves. So look good & feel good about the reflection staring back at you. Out for work, your groomed & neat look can allow people to positively extrapolate about your efficienct & effective ways at work.

5 – KEEP YOUR ENERGY UP

Whether it is a walk, yoga ,exercising, eating healthy or simply being surrouded by energetic people- you need to stay energised. When energies are up it reflects in your looks and certainly keeps you inspired, in turn making you feel good.

6 – INVEST IN YOURSELF

Besides time, invest a small fraction of your income for yourself. It could be to educate yourself, to develop a small hobby, even to join a small club of like minded people, to join an exercise group etc. It is like giving yourself a signal, ‘ that you are worth it’. Worthiness is synonymous to confidence and confidence surely makes you feel good. When you are feeling good you are encouraged to look good and vice versa.

7 – EARN YOUR OWN POCKET MONEY

Develop a hobby into generating your pocket money, be it through baking, cooking, taking tutions, painting, crafts etc. Even a small amount of personal money and deciding how & where to spend it gives a tremendous boost to how you feel about yourself. If you are going to be interacting with people for your ‘Hobby Work’ you will automatically want to present yourself well.

8 – SET BOUNDARIES

Firstly your assertive , groomed appearance sends a message on what you will and will not accept. Looking the part gives you the confidence to assert and say politely yet firmly what you do not appreciate. We often get pushed because we hedge around setting boundaries early in our life. We need to review our boundaries and let us not confuse setting boundaries with being rigid. The fact that others are persistently crossing a boundary is because we have allowed them to do so. Let us begin with the simple act of saying, ‘ No’. That simple, small act is a confidence shot which is a feel good factor for sure.

9 – TALK POSITIVELY TO YOURSELF

Self talk, affirmations, self reiteration about how good, smart & beautiful you are a strong vitamin pill. It energises you and propels you to believe in yourself. Self talk adds to Self Belief and when you believe in yourself you want to look good & feel good.

Confidence is the most beautiful attribute of a woman . Wear your Confidence well to look good & feel good.

Renu Mehra