And according to experts, women who take the time to treat themselves right, and stress less, tend to view life, and themselves, as more positive, and more beautiful.
So get gorgeous with these de-stressing beauty rituals:
When You Wake Up: Rather than sprinting for the coffeepot after you roll out of bed, reach for your toes.
“Stretching loosens your muscles, revs up your circulation, and helps your skin look rosy,” says Eva Ritvo, MD, coauthor of The Beauty Prescription.
Next, apply a few drops of oil, such as eucalyptus oil, inside each nostril. Step into the shower, where the steam will help create an energizing and invigorating aroma. Afterward, as you’re putting on your usual facial moisturizer, apply pressure along your brow bones and temples as well as underneath your cheekbones to eliminate any morning puffiness.
When You’re At Work: Before you tackle a tough assignment, take a mini break at your desk. Bend down, grab your ankles, and take five deep breaths, Rushworth suggests. “Increased blood flow to the brain will not only energize you but also bring oxygen and nutrients to your skin for a perked-up glow.” Then spritz your face with an invigorating mist. “It gives you a boost and hydrates your skin,” says Elizabeth Vislocky, lead aesthetician for Jurlique in New York City. Avoid water sprays, which can pull moisture out of the skin when they evaporate. Instead, look for an alcohol-free mist with hydrators like aloe vera.
When You’ve Hit That Afternoon Slump: Skip the candy jar in favor of a quick self-massage. Take a dab of citrus- or peppermint-scented lotion or oil — studies show that the smell of citrus can…
… evoke a happy mood and that a peppermint fragrance can improve alertness and memory — and rub it onto your earlobes, working upward. “Massaging your ears can help release endorphins in your body, allowing you to feel revitalized,” Rushworth says.
When You’ve Finished Your Workout: Tame any sweat-induced inflammation by keeping a cloth packed in ice and cucumber slices in a plastic bag in your gym locker and placing it on your face after your workout. The chill will constrict blood vessels that have become dilated during exercise, helping you to cool down faster, and the cucumber alleviates irritation, says Amy Wechsler, MD, a dermatologist in New York City.
When You’re About To Go To Bed: Prep for sleep by making a cup of chamomile tea with two tea bags. When you’ve finished drinking it, place the cool tea bags over your eyes and cover them with a sleep mask for a soothing treatment, Rushworth says. Leave on for about 10 minutes, then cleanse your face thoroughly. When applying face wash, massage your jaw muscles to help relax your entire body. Before you hit the pillow, spritz a lavender-scented linen mist.