Viva Challenge: stay happy to feel beautiful
This is my last challenge for the year and I thought that it’s a good time to sum up what I always believe in – be happy and you’ll feel beautiful. Well, what inspired me to post this challenge is because something unpleasant happened to me last week and in just one day, I looked like crap! The good thing about me is that I’m highly resilient and I bounce back on my feet pretty quickly. So instead of mulling away, I just picked myself up, went for the haircut I’ve already scheduled, and immediately, I looked and felt better. (A little retail therapy helped too.)
Unhappiness breeds bad hormones that destroy collagen
Sure we all go through ups and downs and I would say the hardest thing to deal with are probably those concerning matters of the heart. But know that being unhappy and dwelling on the unpleasantries will not help to rid the problem. In fact, when you’re unhappy, tense and angry, you’re likely to release cortisol (source), a bad hormone that our body secretes under stress. While cortisol is a normal physiological makeup for us, too much of it will cause us to age quicker as it has a destructive effect on the production of collagen. And according to the book Cortisol Control & The Beauty Connection, when we are unhappy and under stress, our cortisol level increase, contributing to a faster breakdown of tissues that contain collagen, such as bone and skin.
Happy hormones improve your complexion
In fact, celebrity Jennifer Lopez told OK! magazine during the launch of Top Shop in New York earlier in April this year that her youthful looks were down to “happiness”. Of course it isn’t smiles alone that keep her young as sleep was also important to her but I doubt she would be able to sleep well if she was unhappy. And remember my earlier challenge to fantasize hot sexy men as that that can help release endorphins – natural hormones that your brain releases when it senses happiness – which can improve your complexion and make your eyes sparkle?
Focus on the positives
So don’t sweat the small stuff! Know that problems will eventually go away so it’s no point dwelling on them – even if it’s 2012. Instead, focus on the positives and do things and surround yourself with people with happy energy! Stay happy and you won’t be fussing over every little age spot or pimple on your face. Smile more and even if they create expression lines for your face, they definitely make you look better than frown lines and a sad mouth!
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tell me about it, i’ve been undergoing a lot of work-related stress in the last few weeks and despite my regular skincare routine which normally works great, my skin looks like crap everyday
Yes I totally agree with this theory…happiness is important.
When I read this article, it was like lightning struck! I had been going through a hard time and this year has been particularly difficult – and as you said when it involves matters of the heart or family then it can get rather complicated. I noticed that I had aged so much this year and I blame it all on worry and stress. I need to learn how to lighten up!
Stress can wreak havoc on our skin…well, the holidays are coming so your volume of work will hopefully be reduced and you can then take time to rest and relax.
Yup, must be more positive!
I hope you’ll sort out your issues soon. Some things take time so it’s no point to mull over it too much if things are out of your hand. Instead, focus on those around you who are positive and give you good energy. Do things you like! Yes, lighten up like what you said. ?
I agree with you. I notice whenever I do an EOTD/FOTD, if I feel happy or put myself in a happy mood, the photos will turn out more natural and I appear to look much better! That’s one scenario.
But feeling happy definitely makes one look and also feel beautiful…That’s a fact.
P.s. I don’t know how I have missed out on your ‘hot men challenge’ post. ;P
I agree totally!
Recently I discovered that there are very faint laugh lines by my nose/mouth area and I freaked out because I am only 19 @____@ But I suppose laugh lines is better than frown lines!!
You noticed some of those celebrities who look forever young without any lines? Very plastic I say. So some expression lines are good! But, if you want to reduce them, you can massage them frequently….when you apply cream or oil, massage upwards and outwards especially those areas with lines. If you get hold of Chizu Saeki’s Japanese Skincare Revolution, she has some tips on how to pinch away those lines…but must be patient for results.
Haha…never mind…it’s still not too late to fantasize!
I agree with you 100%. I also learned that stressing out and having negative affect can act as a factor for an earlier death.
Yes, imagine have a depressed and sad heart every day…that’s totally stressful for that organ in the long term.
i love this post. be happy. be positive. be beautiful! great advise for us ladies!
Seasame,
I loved this post. The things you write are oh so true. When stress takes a hold on you, your hormones go out of whack. I can attest to this. I do a lot for stress relief/relaxation: yoga, meditation, deep breathing, and just being “in the moment.” ?
Robin
These 2 weeks, I have lost my mojo since I got to know my appraisal wasn’t good. I hate my boss & the bloody company @ the same time.
But I told myself, its not the end of everything. I cut & colour my hair & now embarking to find another job with better prospects. I feel refresh!
Hey Robin, you’re good! I wish I can slow down to do some of the things you’re doing. But I haven’t found the patience for yoga which I practiced awhile back – it’s too slow for me and I keep wanting to speed up. I wonder if I’ll like it better now…