Celebrate The Beautiful You

Franziska Bernhard
Businesswoman, owner of luxury spa studio FB Skin & Wellness

Beauty standards may change, but the relentless pressure to fit them doesn’t. Add the newest trendy Instagram filter, retouched ads and surgically altered celebrities; that ideal is just impossible to achieve. 
You must let go of the idea that beauty is perfect! You are not a plastic doll; you are a living being, with pores, scars, stretch marks. Don’t fall for the beauty trap! Remember the multi-million-dollar beauty and fitness industry wants you to believe that you’re not enough. How else would you try to transform yourself at the expense of your time, your mental and physical health, and most of all, your money?  
Do you want to know the secret to beauty? Self love! Start accepting your wonderful, glorious, wild self! Take time to cultivate that and stop being so critical of yourself. Those voices are lying. Don’t compare yourself to others; there is only one you, and you are exactly how you’re supposed to be. We are all conditioned to focus only on a perceived flaw, to obsess over it and to think that our whole life would be better if only that nose was smaller, the thighs thinner and the skin clearer. Please look at the whole picture—all of you, your kindness, your talents, your warm smile, your amazing cooking, the way only you can make your loved one feel better, your artistic talent, your warm embrace. Ditch the often-dangerous pursuit of a ridiculous ideal and use that time and funds for self-care. Activate the parasympathetic nervous system by spending time in nature, getting a massage or facial, practicing meditation, playing with animals or children, practicing yoga or tai chi, trying progressive relaxation, receiving reiki, or doing your favorite hobby. By strengthening your parasympathetic nervous system, you cause a relaxation response in the body and you lessen anxiety. 
There are few things that adversely affect your looks and your vibe like stress does. Meditation is my favorite way to bring mind, body, and spirit together. This alignment promotes less stress, more overall happiness, and vibrant beauty from within. Research shows that meditation reduces the body’s cortisol levels, reducing acne and slowing down the aging process. 
Support your body and skin by starting a simple routine. Dry brush twice a week in the morning before you shower. This helps get rid of toxins, boosts circulation, aids in lymphatic drainage, exfoliates, and plumps the skin. After the shower, use a good moisturizer. Start a simple skincare routine. Three to four products are all you need: an appropriate cleanser, a vitamin C serum, a moisturizer and SPF. Do not follow TikTok advice, but go to a trained skincare specialist to get customized recommendations. This is the perfect time to practice being kind to yourself. As you are applying the products, say loving affirmations and words of gratitude and appreciation. Celebrate the unique, special, extraordinary beauty you are. 

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