In our quest for health and wellness, it can be easy to be overwhelmed. ‘What does that mean exactly?’ you may ask. With magazines and TV shows expressing their views on how you need to look, feel and be a certain ‘type’ of person, its easy to get confused and lost in the milieu. Are you eating all the right things? Doing all the right things? Being a good person?  Living life perfectly? There is no such thing.

It is up to you to define your own destiny and course, in much the same way as you are capable of forging ahead and becoming the strong, beautiful, gracious and healthy woman you know you are. Let’s break it down for a second. Beauty begins not only on the surface; it also has a lot to do with how much we take care of ourselves in other ways. Read on to discover more!

Love-love.

This is the most basic of all truths. Are you spreading love? The best way to be a good human, that is to say; one that truly cares and thus leaves behind a loving human footprint wherever they go, is by giving back to your fellow man, neighbors, and community.

It cannot be expressed enough just how much ‘doing good’ can improve your sense of wellbeing. To break it down; the more you smile, the more you send signals to your brain receptors to produce more serotonin. Serotonin is the brains naturally occurring chemical that induces a feeling of happiness.

It really is quite easy; smile more at strangers, perform the occasional good deed – for example: buying the person behind you a latte, feed the homeless or volunteer at your local food bank on a Saturday morning (it’s easier than you think, just look it up in your local area!).

The opportunities that you have to share what you have and what you are blessed with are endless. Being kind to others not only promotes a feeling of wellness, it also improves your self-esteem, and allows you to feel and be more connected with the world at large. Share your time, share your love and spread your love. Live with wellness.

Amazing Grace.

Practice the art of gracefulness. We’ve all heard the old adage ‘count your blessings’, but how many of us actually do? Feeling and being beautiful truly stems from having the capacity to recognize and appreciate the gifts that you have.

It may not seem like the easiest thing in the world – but like most habits, it can be acquired. Once you start reminding yourself to see the silver lining in situations, once you begin being thankful for what you DO have instead of focusing on what you don’t have, you’ll find that your changed outlook breeds a more positive, more joyous and a more youthful version of yourself.

Perception is everything. That is true not just from what you feel, but for what you project physically and mentally. If you are feeling grateful, happy and positive, you radiate a beautiful energy that no amount of makeup, products or hair-care can provide. Now that is true, inner beauty, radiating from the inside out!

Love yourself.

You are important and as such, you should be treated so. Your body, heart, soul and mind are precious, strong, special and valuable. Take care of your body – you only have one, after all. Wherever possible, eat organic foods, read the labels on foods that you consume, staying away from preservatives and processed food items.

Workout! It’s so important to maintain a healthy heart and strong bones and body. Working out has more than just the benefit and idea of promoting your heart-health, however, it also boosts endorphins and staves off depression.

A regular workout routine, especially one that includes a form of restorative workout such as yoga, practicing meditation and or deep breathing exercises, and receiving regular massages all go a long way to promoting a healthier body and mind.

Think of your body as your most prized possession. Treat it with a malignant self love. Would you willingly throw your precious artifacts, paintings and sculptures around? Would you wash dry-clean items in your washing machine? Of course you wouldn’t, so why treat your precious and beautiful body with any less respect? Wear sunscreen, drink more water than you think you need to, watch what foods you put into your body – the cleaner and leaner the better – and get that heart rate up! You’ll live longer, feel better and be stronger.

All of these tips will lead to a stronger and more beautiful version of you. It all starts with a simple step, and self-awareness. We all have the ability to be more beautiful from the inside out, and to be healthier in mind and body. Be well, live well and treat your heart, body and mind with the respect it deserves! You are worth every last bit of it!