9 Ways to Nurture Inner Beauty

Six years ago, I set out on a mission to improve my health and enhance my life—not only for myself but also for my children. I wished to achieve a sense of completeness, confidence, and beauty.

However, this transformation didn’t instantly make me feel confident or beautiful.

In fact, I experienced heightened anxiety. I appeared thin and prematurely aged. Was this what being healthy meant? Why didn’t losing weight resolve my issues as I had anticipated?

Now, I’ve shifted my focus to nurturing my health and beauty from within. Previously, I erroneously believed I could only address one aspect of myself at a time. I’ve come to understand that true change radiates from the inside. Below are several approaches—both practical and philosophical—that I have learned (and continue to learn!) for cultivating inner beauty.

True beauty starts with how we view ourselves—our self-image. Unlearning negative thought patterns can be challenging, yet it’s a crucial step in transforming what we may perceive as “ugly” into something beautiful.

Our self-image is influenced by various factors, many of which will be covered in this article, but fundamentally, it is a mental challenge. Practicing daily affirmations of kindness toward yourself can significantly shift your self-image for the better.

Countless hours are spent scrolling through social media, often resulting in a desire to compare ourselves to the highlight reels of other people’s lives. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and what I term a “social media hangover.” At some point, we’ve neglected the fact that we hold the reins on our social media experience.

Pay attention to your feelings while scrolling—do you feel inferior, envious, weary, or unattractive? If so, it’s time to cleanse your feed and stop following accounts that foster these emotions. Instead, seek out accounts that uplift your mental well-being and enhance your online presence.

Many often associate exercise with two outcomes: either bulking up or shedding pounds. While these can indeed be byproducts of physical activity, they don’t need to guide your motivation. Think of exercise as a means to boost your mood—it’s been shown to lift spirits, with no need for a perfect physique!

Engaging in physical activity releases endorphins that uplift your mood and generally contribute to how you feel about your beauty. Even if exercising isn’t your favorite pastime (and I admit, it isn’t mine), we can all agree that feeling good is a universal goal!

We’ve all heard about the importance of beauty sleep. But does it truly impact our appearance? Absolutely! Adults typically need around seven to nine hours of sleep each night for optimal body recovery and rejuvenation. Even adding just one extra hour of sleep can markedly affect your physical appearance. The benefits of sufficient sleep include fewer wrinkles, reduced dark circles, hydrated skin, and a healthy radiance.

From reducing wrinkles to achieving that coveted sun-kissed glow, our dietary choices can significantly affect our skin and overall beauty. Rather than falling into the trap of diet culture focused on calorie counting and macros, let’s embrace the idea that Mother Nature provides us with everything we need for radiance.

Consider avocados for their potential protection against UV rays. Walnuts can help reduce inflammation, while sweet potatoes and carrots are rich in beta-carotene, offering a warm complexion. Additionally, vitamins C and E work in tandem to shield our skin from sun damage and maintain collagen levels. (Curious about collagen? Just wait…)

Let’s get practical and discuss one of the trending topics in skincare: edible collagen! A daily spoonful is believed to yield youthful benefits for our skin, hair, and nails.

Collagen is the most prominent protein found in our bodies and serves to hold tissues together. Supplements derived from fish, chicken, cows, and pigs may help enhance skin elasticity and potentially reduce the appearance of wrinkles. (For a deeper understanding, check out “An ND explains the science of collagen.”)

You may have noticed biotin as a popular supplement at health stores. Also referred to as vitamin B7, biotin is found in foods like organ meats, egg yolks, fish, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes, and almonds.

Biotin supplements are often marketed as beneficial for hair, skin, and nails because deficiencies can lead to rashes, hair thinning, and brittle nails. Maintaining an adequate biotin intake can help alleviate these concerns while supporting your quest for beauty from the inside. Just remember to inform your doctor if you are undergoing lab tests, as biotin can influence certain results.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support our overall health, and prebiotics serve as their nourishment. Together, they have a positive influence on many aspects of our body, including our skin. Research indicates that this dynamic duo may help with acne management and offer protection against sun damage. While further studies are underway, it’s evident that a well-balanced gut contributes positively to our skin health!

A few months ago, I incorporated a blend of prebiotics and probiotics into my routine through a beauty powder. Within weeks, I not only noticed a glow in my skin, but others did too. Plus, a lingering rash I had on my chest disappeared. The only change in my life was this new addition.

You are a unique and beautiful individual. Do you acknowledge this? Do you truly feel it?

Take a moment to honor your body today. Reflect on your journey and how your beauty has transformed over time. Once you accept you are deserving of a beautiful existence and self-image, it’s not just your reflection that changes, but your perception of it. Without this understanding of your worth, all the beauty products, healthy diets, and exercise programs will not enable you to truly experience beauty.

This article appeared in the June 2019 issue of Daitrl Canada under the title “The Thoughtful Glow-Up”