Looking Good, Feeling Good

We all have those days where we just don’t feel like we look that great. Maybe our hair screams “Out of control” or you aren’t in the mood the wear the same makeup again. Even though you have 15 different shades of eyeshadow, it seems like you wear them over and over again. Your skin my feel too dry or you know the unmistakable under the skin blemish is about to appear. When you look better, you feel better.

You can go get your hair done, enjoy a medi/pedi, or get that much needed massage. You can also do a little retail therapy. But let’s face it there is no such thing as “a little” retail therapy, and this is probably the worst time for you to go shopping. Once you start, you have to hit every one of your favorite stores, “just to look.” Then ten stores later, you leave with ten different bags. And the next month wonder why your credit card bill is so high.

I’m not suggesting you go to the spa or into credit card debt to feel better. Looking better to feel better doesn’t have to cost much money. Here are some tips:

1. No matter how you feel or what you are doing today, get dressed. There are days when you feel lazy and just want to lounge around the house. That is understandable, but you still need to make the effort to get dressed. Being in your sleep attire at 6 p.m. doesn’t help the mood. Getting dressed will make you feel more productive then staying in your sleepwear, and that productivity changes your outlook.

2. Build your self-confidence. Look in the mirror and tell yourself what you like about you. This may sound cheesy, but we all forget what makes us who we are. Think about your positive attributes. Sometimes we need to reiterate to ourselves what makes us unique or what people like about us and why they enjoy our company.

3. Smile. It’s truly amazing the affect smiling can have on our mood and our perception. You know that saying it takes more muscles to frown than to smile. Well, sometimes, you have to consciously make the effort to smile, especially when you are in one of those moods. Think of something funny you saw on TV, a joke, or sing your favorite song. Or think of that banter you have with a friend and how you actually enjoy it or how you fell at the store the other day. You will be genuinely smiling in no time.

4. Instead of shopping, go inside your closet. Look at all the clothes you already have. We tend to have our go-to shirt, pants, or look. How about creating another favorite outfit? What about that black and white shirt that you always wear with jeans or black pants. Pair it up with that red skirt.

Accessorize your outfit to tie in the colors. Put on those red dangle earrings and red heels. Or wear the black slacks but wear that turquoise belt and shoes. Spice up the same outfit by adding a splash of color, which will brighten any mood.

Wear those open toed “rocker” shoes that zip at the angle with your favorite off the shoulder blouse. Create a new look and know that no matter where you wear it, you will be dressed in style.

5. Make your own at home spa treatment. You can find foot scrub and lotion along with the necessary tools at a variety of drug and beauty stores. Also pick up facial supplies and your nail polish color. You are making a day of it. It may not be the same as having someone else rub your feet, but even when you do the job yourself, your feet reap the benefits.

6. Contact your best friend. There is nothing that a conversation with your best friend can’t make better. You don’t have to discuss anything in depth, just the sound of her voice will make you happier.

7. Write down five things you are grateful for. This can become a daily habit for you. It puts the stresses of daily life into perspective, when you realize all that you have and what really matters to you.

We all want to look our best everyday, but some days we just aren’t feeling it. These simple ways can get you looking and feeling good no matter your mood. When you change your perspective or start thinking more positively, your outlook will change. When that happens, you will know that even if your hair is too frizzy today or your skin isn’t feeling up to par that you do, in fact, look good. And when we look good, we feel good!