Natural beauty starts from the inside out. It comes from taking care of your body as a temple and living in harmony with nature. The first step is to take a look at the lifestyle factors involved in achieving a healthy body and radiant skin. A balanced natural foods diet and a healthy lifestyle are the keys to beauty and vitality. A radiant complexion is in reflection of our body's inner health. Here are some ways you can nourish your body and enhance your beauty.
Go Veggie!
A low fat, high fiber, vegetarian diet is optimal for our body's health and beauty. Eating junk, 'non-foods' and flesh foods result in a build up of toxins in our bodies which sooner or later will show up on our face as blemishes (toxins trying to be released), or on our bodies as excess weight, damage and disease. Simply by eating a healthful and balanced veggie diet, you will be on your way to clear skin, healthier muscle tone and an increased sense of well being.
Supplement
Are you eating the perfect balance of proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and enzymes from fresh organic food everyday? If not, then you will probably need to supplement with a multivitamin & mineral complex to get all the nutrition your body needs. The worse a person's diet is - the more they need supplementation. When we are not getting all the nutrients our body needs, this will manifest in a poor skin condition. A deficiency in Vitamin A, for instance can cause dry, rough skin, premature aging and split, peeling nails. Vitamin B complexes are also vitally important for healthy hair, skin and nails as well as C, E, sulfur and zinc. Red Star Vegetarian Support Formula, otherwise known as nutritional yeast, is a good source of B-complex vitamins, including B12 and amino acids. It's great on tofu and popcorn!
Smooth it Out!
If your skin and hair are dry, your nerves are frazzled and your nails weak - make sure you're getting enough Essential Fatty Acids. These are vital for healthy skin, shiny hair and strong nails. Flax oil is one of the richest sources of E.F.A.'s and it is also quite tasty! Use it in your salad dressing, on steamed veggies or baked potatoes. I even like a little on my spaghetti! A word of caution: never cook flaxseed oil. Apply it to food after it is already on your plate. Flaxseed oil can also be used topically on the skin and as a hot oil treatment for the hair. Just dampen hair, gently comb through the oil, wrap in a towel or plastic and leave in for 10-30 minutes. Shampoo, condition and rinse. That's it! Easy and effective.
Juice It Up!
Vegetable and fruit juices are rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes and can really perk up your complexion. Unlike the vitamin-destroying and dehydrating drinks such as coffee, tea, and cola - fresh juices are ultra vitalizing! Include lots of fresh and leafy greens, sprouts and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables in your diet and you'll be amazed at the increase of vitality you experience and the clarity of your skin!
Keep it Clean!
Eliminating toxins from our bodies is essential to freshness and vitality. Avoid alcohol, smoke (including second hand smoke as in a nightclub environment), Prescription and 'recreational' drugs, caffeine, refined sugar, soft drinks, meat, artificial colors, flavors and preservatives. Beauty Tip: Go on a short cleansing fast at least once a month. A partial fast from food will give your digestive system time to rest and revitalize. Only a clean body can properly absorb the nutrients it takes in. Natural health aides such as wheat grass, acidophilus, pineapple and papaya enzymes, Detox Tea (Yogi Tea makes a good one) and added fiber can be helpful in the cleansing and renewal of your digestion and elimination system. Getting a massage also helps speed up the cleansing process. Wear a minimum of natural makeup (no mineral oil or formaldehyde, please!) and always go to bed with a clean, fresh face!
Move It!
Take a walk! Take the stairs! Swim, dance and bicycle to work! Play a sport or fly a kite! Do yoga! Qigong! Tai Chi! Anything to get your circulation going and help your lymphatic system eliminate waste fluids and toxins and bring more vibrancy to your life and your skin.
Breathe!
We breathe more than anything else. Our health suffers when we are not taking in enough fresh, oxygen filled air. Outdoor and Indoor pollution can be one of the factors causing a poor skin condition. Air out your indoor living spaces. The use of a good air purifier could be helpful in enclosed environments. Take walks in the country or by the seashore to ionize and energize.
Hydrate!
Our bodies are mostly made up of water. So, it makes sense that pure, clean water is essential to our body's proper functioning, efficient elimination of toxins and the condition of our skin. Experts say to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day!
Be At Peace
Make the time to reduce stress - even if it is only a moment to take a few deep breaths! Stress is damaging to our health and to the way we look and feel. Make sure you are getting a balance of exercise and enough restful sleep. Bath Therapy, Music and Aromatherapy can all help you to be calm and relax. Yoga postures, meditation and prayer are examples of activities you can integrate into your life that will help you begin to emanate a natural, radiant and healthy glow that will be an inspiration to others. When we are not getting all the nutrients our body needs, this will manifest in a poor skin condition.