In the hectic world we live in, it can often seem like mission impossible to find ten minutes for yourself, let alone find time to book a week off work to just relax. However, by living a life where you are kinder to yourself, look after yourself, and andtake time for yourself, you can actually increase your overall levels of happiness.

Leading a happier and healthier life isn’t just about what you do, it’s about what you are already doing and how this impacts your health. Whether this is overthinking, thinking negative thoughts or simply not taking time to relax, setting time aside for yourself can cure a multitude of worries and make you feel much happier in general. So, how can you accomplish this?

Ditch the Pressure

Sometimes it can seem like there’s a whole lot of pressure from TV, social media and the models in magazines, especially with the endless hashtags and home-grown Insta-models.

At the mere mention of the word ‘beauty’, men and women everywhere feel pressure. Whether this be a young man seeing the photoshopped Justin Bieber on the front of Men’s Health or a teenage girl seeing Kim K’s ‘natural’ derriere over Instagram, the pressures of ‘natural beauty’ are everywhere.

It may seem difficult, but by ignoring the ideologies of beauty in the media, you can feel much better about yourself. Why not create your own idea of ‘beauty’? Unfollow Kim K or go follow more inspirational women who opt for a fresher and natural look, such as Alicia Keys? Take time to appreciate that you don’t need to feel the pressure from unrealistic aesthetics and just embrace your own perception of ‘beauty’.

Live, Laugh and Love

Whatever you love doing, we suggest you take the time to indulge in the things you enjoy the most in life. Sit down and write a list of the four things what matter the most to you and spend your spare time on them.

Smiling has been scientifically proven to have tons of benefits. Not only are endorphins released when you smile, but it can also reduce stress and anxiety, make you appear more approachable, toughen your immune system and strengthen facial muscles.

Sensory satisfactions enhance your appreciation of your physical self as well as how you experience your body and the world around you. After all, it’s a beautiful place we live in and you should take time to appreciate it!

Love the Way YOU Look

While it may seem easier said than done, there are many practical ways in which you can focus on the positives of the way you look. While the reality of ageing, such as wrinkles and grey hairs, may be daunting, there are many benefits you can reap by taking the time to love the way you look. Try going makeup-free for a couple of days, or even treating yourself to a facial or another beauty treatment.

Invest your time in how you want to look. Why not go for a new hairstyle this season? Or spend that extra 10 minutes in the morning to moisturise your face and add some mascara? By taking the time for yourself, you will achieve how you want to look and, even more so, love the way you look.

You should never let the opinion of someone else influence how you feel about yourself. Stand tall, hold your head high with confidence and keep smiling – after all, you look fabulous!

Take Care of Your Health

Your health is key in bringing more happiness into your life.

A naturopathic doctor, Alan Logan, has noted that food has a direct influence on communication with your brain. A 2009 study found that people who ate a diet rich in vegetables, fish and whole grain foods, reported 30% less depressive symptoms and generally an improved mood.

Not only can eating well improve your mood and happiness, but exercising is also a fantastic way to increase your feeling of happiness. Even more so, by getting active outside, you can improve your mental outlook. People who exercise in ‘green environments’ have lower stress levels.

When you exercise, your brain lets off feel-good chemicals through rising body temperature, which will result in a calming effect and reduced immune-system chemicals. Exercise also builds confidence and helps distract you from other worries!

Time for Rest and Sleep

People who have problems sleeping produce higher rates of stress hormones, according to research. The cycle between stress and sleep can seem like an endless one, as it puts your body in a hyper-aroused state which makes it difficult to relax. The inability to get sleep causes stress which becomes a cycle.

A study has revealed that a good night’s sleep is actually more important than a pay rise and has been found to have a profound impact on your wellbeing.

By taking the time to relax before you nod off, you can reap all the benefits which come with a good night’s sleep. Just after one decent night’s sleep, your memory improves, your mood increases, your immune system gains strength, your blood pressure drops, your body craves less junk food (meaning a better diet and healthier skin) and you gain better mental clarity.

Try putting down the phone and turning the TV off at least 30 minutes before you go to sleep, and, if you’re not sleepy, pick up a book instead!

You can use a sleep calculator to make sure you are taking the time to get to bed at the perfect time and getting some well-earned rest!

Here at Aesthetic Skin Clinic, we are devoted to making you feel happier and healthier. We believe you should invest your time in whatever makes you happy, as in the long run, it could have positive effects on your life. We provide everything from a non-surgical face lift to face peels, which are sure to give you a refreshing lift towards happiness. Invest your time in yourself and you are sure to reap the benefits.