6 Tips When You're Struggling To Find Ways To Look Good And Stay Healthy

Last updated on : April 17 2022

You always want to look your best and feel healthy. But, somewhere along the line, you fell off the wagon. 

Perhaps it's because you have a tiring work schedule that keeps you from the gym. Maybe you experienced a bad breakup that damaged your self-esteem. It could even be that you had poor role models early in life who didn't teach you healthy habits. 

But it's never too late to start living a healthier lifestyle. Even if it's been years since you ate a balanced diet or laced up your running shoes, you can still turn the tide and reap the benefits of living healthily. 

So, here are six tips to help when you're struggling to find ways to look good and stay healthy. 

1. Ask Yourself "Why?"

Before you sign up for a crash diet or start getting work done, ask yourself a simple question: "why?". Why do you want to look "more attractive"? Why do you want to lead a healthier lifestyle? 

Often, we have a vague desire to look better and be healthier, but we never really focus on what our true motivation is. 

By discovering your "why?" you can ensure that you're pursuing the right goals, particularly if your desire to look good comes from a place of insecurity. 

Remember, some of the best people to grace our planet weren't seen as traditionally "attractive" — famous women like Amelia Earhart and Halet Cambel are not remembered for their good looks but rather their good deeds. 

So, instead of hyper-focusing on your blemishes, try to focus on the elements of yourself that make you feel proud. This approach ensures that your lifestyle changes stem from a sense of self-worth and confidence rather than insecurity and negativity. 

Of course, you shouldn't feel guilty for wanting to look more attractive. It's only natural to compare the way you look to others, and attractive people earn an average of 3-4 % more over their lifetimes. 

However, you can ensure that your changes build your self-esteem and self-respect by practicing self-love and caring for your well-being. Start by improving your diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. 

2. Improve Your Sleep

Humans have known the value of a good night's sleep for centuries. Even Shakespeare described sleep as "the main course in life's feast, and the most nourishing." 

Yet, it's easy to skip sleep and undermine sleep hygiene — mainly if you live a busy life and struggle to fit everything into a single day.   

Failing to get enough sleep regularly can increase your risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, a poor sleep schedule can weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to illnesses and less likely to recover properly after exercise or a hard day of work. 

Regaining control over your sleep schedule can be tricky. Start by cutting out all blue light an hour before you head to bed, and try to encourage others in your household to do the same. 

If you're still having difficulty nodding off, consider speaking to a medical professional who can give you personalized advice and treatment options.

3. Develop Healthy Habits

A good sleep schedule lays the foundation for a healthier lifestyle. But, even if you get 8 - 10 hours of sleep a night, you still need to follow healthy habits during your waking hours if you want to look good and stay healthy and fit.

You probably already know what you "should" do for better health and looks: eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. 

These things are great in theory, but they can be difficult in practice, mainly if a busy life keeps you away from the gym or you are working on a tight budget and can't afford fresh produce every day. 

Unfortunately, no magic wand will make life's obligations and challenges go away. Instead, try to find a motivational strategy that works for you and helps you stay on track while forming healthy habits. 

This motivation might involve daily affirmations of your self-worth, or you may invest time into learning more about a particular workout regime like yoga or calisthenics. The key is to develop habits that you enjoy and work around your obligations. 

If you struggle to form healthy habits during your workweek, consider dedicating yourself to developing healthy habits on the weekend.

Go easy on alcohol and unhealthy foods. Instead, replace beer and pizzas with quality family time and try to spend more time in the kitchen cooking healthy, tasty meals for the upcoming week. Start by getting a good night's sleep on Friday night, and find a workout plan that gets you excited. 

The weekend also allows you to think about your life from a more holistic perspective. Try to use this free time productively and identify the lifestyle changes you want to make to your physical health routine or diet.

You can also use this free time to research fashion trends and discover a style that can reignite your sense of self-worth and confidence.  

4. Change Your Wardrobe

When was the last time you assessed your current wardrobe and chose clothes you love? 

Most of us buy clothes that help us "fit in" and spend little to no time thinking about our style or how it impacts how we feel. The research argues that this causes a curious tension where you may feel the desire to "stand out" yet "fit in" simultaneously. 

Refreshing your wardrobe to become more stylish gets easier over time. The first time you buy a statement piece, expect folks around you to make remarks that may make you feel anxious or unsure — but stick with it. 

Remind yourself that you're attempting to change your wardrobe to improve your self-esteem and that those who seek to belittle you are probably insecure in themselves, too. 

If you're working on a limited budget, consider spending more time in thrift stores than high street retailers. Thrifting saves hundreds of dollars, and you can often find like-new clothes if you go regularly.  

You'll also want to shop around a little when thrifting, as there's likely a particular thrift store in your area where wealthy folks sell their nearly new clothes. 

If you can't afford new clothes or a wardrobe change, consider making cost-effective changes to your appearance. 

For example, men might consider growing a beard and self-grooming more regularly with simple steps like washing more often or applying beard oil every morning. 

Alternatively, you might consider applying sunscreen and spending time outside to reap the physical and mental health benefits of exploring the outdoors. 

5. Explore the Outdoors

Healthy, happy people don't trap themselves indoors for weeks on end. Yet, when you step back and look at your life, you may find that you're essentially just shuttling between air-conditioned homes, cars, and offices. 

You shouldn't feel guilty if this sounds familiar, but instead, commit yourself to explore the outdoors more often to rediscover your sense of adventure. 

If it's your first time camping or backpacking, try to connect with community groups in your town who can ensure that your trip into nature is a success. 

Groups like Outward Bound offer courses for adults in adventures like kayaking, hiking, mountain climbing, and backpacking. Alternatively, you might reach out to a trusted friend who has experience outdoors and see if they'd be willing to show you the ropes. 

Remember that you still need to take care of your health and wellness when exploring the great outdoors. While camping, some of the best health and wellness tips are common sense: stay hydrated, eat enough food, and wear sunscreen. 

But, you'll also need to bring a first aid kit and keep up with a limited moisturizing routine if you're worried about your skin health while sleeping and exploring in drier climates. 

6. Find Supportive Friends

Research shows that a positive friendship circle can bolster your self-esteem and help you move through life with greater happiness and confidence. 

So, if you're surrounded by negative people who undermine your confidence or pressure you to do bad things for your health, it might be time for a change. 

The best way to find like-minded, positive people is to search for clubs and groups in your local area. These clubs might include book clubs, sports teams, community activist groups, or horticultural societies. 

Joining a group with a common purpose makes it easier to socialize and quickly leads to healthier relationships. You can always converse about your shared interest in books or gardening. 

It might sound machiavellian, but finding the right friend group for you can make a massive difference to your self-image and overall wellness. 

Conclusion 

Modern life is stressful, and it's easy to get caught up in an unhealthy routine that doesn't support your health and makes you feel unattractive. 

However, you can regain your self-worth and start building healthier habits by getting enough sleep and writing positive affirmations to start your day. 

If you're really in a rut, consider finding new friends by joining clubs that interest you, and don't be afraid to switch up your wardrobe to feature new clothes that help you look great and feel confident.

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