Recently, my friends and I have gotten especially attuned to acts of self-love and have been engaging in many discussions about how cool it is to be female. We have a lot of girls’ nights, a lot of Postmates and our weeks revolve around Pilot Pete’s love life. These activities have helped us gain self-love and appreciate ourselves. Here 7 seven tips we have found helpful for embracing your inner beauty and regaining your confidence:
- Surround yourself with girl friends.
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This is sometimes the only thing that keeps me going. Your girl friends are your hype squad. They will be there for you when you cannot be there for yourself. They will build you up and make you believe in the woman you may sometimes forget you are. Personally, when I get down on myself and feel insecure, I want to be alone and shut everybody out. My friends always tell me not to do that because in reality, I am hurting myself more. They will always be there for me and only want to remind me of how special I am. Make time for your friends and never ever let the good ones go. You need them more than you know.
- Prioritize your physical health.
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The best way to feel better internally is to cleanse yourself externally. Prioritize skin care, hair care and put effort into your everyday look. Getting dressed up to look your best every day makes your day ten times better. Good skin is THE confidence booster. And hair care makes getting ready for your day a lot easier.
- Allow yourself to indulge.
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Do what you love. Do not let yourself or anyone else dictate what you can and cannot. Let yourself do the things that make you happy. This will ultimately make you so much more beautiful internally, because our happiness shows externally when we allow ourselves to embrace our true passions.
- Eat as clean as you can.
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I love junk food. But I have found that eating cleaner makes me feel a lot better, and thus more confident about myself. Not only is it healthy for your physical self, but it makes your mind more clear for decision-making and sustained energy. Plus, you will have a healthier immune system, clearer skin and you do not have to worry about your weight as much.
- Slow down. Relax. Breathe.
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Sometimes we forget about this. But with all of the things you have going on, it is important for your mental health to slow down. Remind yourself that you are only human, and you are doing the best you can. It is okay to relax sometimes- it is essential.
- Be outside as much as you can.
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Sunshine! Vitamin C! Not only will the sunshine make you feel better, but if you are careful and wear sunscreen, it might make you look better too. And doesn’t everyone feel better when they are tan?
- Sleep!
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This is probably the most important and yet overlooked point on this list. If you do not sleep enough, this will show, both mentally and physically. Prioritizing sleep is so important. As college students, we could all use this reminder.
Regaining your confidence and realizing your inner beauty is all about the choices you make. We are sometimes too hard on ourselves. It is important to be reminded that self-care is necessary and you deserve to indulge. You will be much happier and healthier – both mentally and physically – if you do.