Three Steps to Looking and Feeling Your Best this Valentine’s Day

Holidays are fun, but sometimes the added pressure of a holiday leaves people feeling run down and anxious. Maybe you are one of those lucky enough to have a date this Valentine’s Day, or maybe you are going out with a group of friends. Follow these tips to look and feel your best so you can focus on having fun.

1.     Start with a Smile

Smiling is one of the quickest ways to boost your mood and improve your appearance. Smiling lowers your heart rate, reduces stress, and increases endorphins which make you feel happier. Smiling also changes the way others respond to you; it encourages empathy and makes you appear more attractive to others.  

Make sure your smile is at its best this Valentine’s day by visiting one of your local dentists in Abbotsford or Anchorage for a teeth whitening. Take time to do the regular boring stuff as well; brush, floss, and rinse your teeth, so you don’t realize halfway through the party that you’ve had something stuck in your smile all night.

2.     Exercise

Take some time this Valentine’s Day to strike your favorite yoga poses or go for a short run. If you exercise regularly, it will improve your appearance by toning your muscles and eliminating unwanted fat. Exercise has short term benefits as well, so starting today will still pay off. Physical activity increases your energy throughout the day and helps you stay clear-headed. Bonus points if you head outside; a change of scenery and bit of fresh air will be invigorating.

3.     Eliminate Anxiety

Doing something that gives you a sense of accomplishment is a great way to pre-empt stress. If a workout isn’t enough, consider baking some bread, cleaning your kitchen, or finishing that last load of laundry. Turn on your favorite tunes while you work. Listening to music is a great way to quickly boost you mood and reduce anxiety.

Spending time with loved ones is also a great way to relieve tension, so give your puppy some extra cuddles or call your mom for a little chat. Taking time out for those you care about reminds you of what really matters and shifts the focus away from yourself and your self-doubts.

Like music, food has a pretty strong influence over most of us. Being too hungry, especially, can put you in quite the funk. You might not know what kind of food will be at the party, or maybe you just aren’t sure what time you are going to dinner. Have a small healthy snack right before you leave so you don’t end up anxious, irritable, or light-headed. Something like an apple or piece of toast is small enough that you won’t spoil your appetite, but then you won’t have to stress when you have to wait for a table a little longer than planned.

Holidays are more fun if you are looking and feeling your best, so follow these simple tips to make this Valentine’s Day great.

Author Byline

Michael David is a freelance blogger who writes about a variety of topics. For more tips on prepping your smile for your big day, check out Sevenoaks Dental Group.