As someone who prides herself on being organized, in shape, and healthy, I am fully aware of how my moods can dramatically affect these qualities. Moods are complex because they come in a myriad of forms—happy, disappointed, frustrated, exhausted, and hopeful to name a few—and they also have a direct effect on our daily performances and the choices we make. Take last weekend for example. I really took advantage of the long weekend at home. I made plans in advance to book all my favorite workout venues, and I also connected with friends and family to cook a bunch and even eat out more. Of course, I also found serious time to chill out in front of the TV for some much needed mindless activity. I loved this game plan in the moment, with all the food and lounging time, but I also felt hung over and basically gross by the time I was ready to head back to school. I know we have all felt the power that our moods can sometimes have over us, so can we overcome them?
The answer is YES! People overcome their moods all the time, and the method for this can vary from person to person: taking a walk, socializing with friends, watching a TV show, you name it! I would like to suggest one method for overcoming our moods that is super manageable and does not require a lot of commitment—Look Good, Feel Good. When you think you look good, you carry yourself with more confidence, which is the key ingredient to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Confidence in yourself only leads you to be more confident in the choices you make, whether it be to choose a salad over a burger or to study an extra 30 minutes for an exam rather than watch another episode of “Orange is the New Black.” Most of us know what we are supposed to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but confidence is the driving force behind action and commitment. Here are some tips about how to freshen yourself up in the morning so you can control your moods and leave your dorm with that extra boost of confidence you need to carry you through your day.
1. Wear a button down shirt: If you don’t like the process of getting dressed but want to look put together, button down shirts are the perfect option. Button down shirts are quick and easy to put on, they come in a variety of styles, and they go with almost any outfit. If you are having a particularly lazy morning, I suggest popping on a pair of leggings with a chambray shirt, top the outfit off with a cute pair of boots and a scarf and voila! You have put together a cute outfit in less than 5 minutes, and more importantly, you look great!
2. Wash Your Face and Put on a Touch of Makeup. It might seem obvious for some to wash your face in the morning, but I know there are some days when all I want to do is roll out of bed and go to class. Washing your face is such an easy way to wake yourself up and make your skin look radiant. In addition, some people swear by wearing makeup during the day because it makes you look more put together, which translates into the way you approach your day. Remember, though, that even a little bit of makeup can go a long way.
3. Style Your Hair. A quick hairstyle can dramatically change your appearance and make you look very put together. Any thing from as simple as a ponytail or hair band to a French braid or blowing out your hair can help freshen you up and give you that extra boost of confidence. When done right, hairstyles are great because they dress up how you look without ever overpowering your outfit. My favorite hairstyle right now is a loose ponytail in which I let my bangs out but I keep the rest of my hair pulled back. But try to incorporate your own favorite hairstyles into you daily outfit!
These are just a few tips that I have found to work for me, but it is important to note that in order for this Look Good, Feel Good approach to work, it must be personalized to what empowers you and allows you to triumph over your moods.