IT SEEMS THAT WE ARE ALL SEEKING THE MYTHICAL FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, BUT THE SECRET TO A PRETTY FACE MIGHT JUST BE INSIDE YOU.
In an era of selfies, social media filters, and countless beauty tutorials, feeling inferior is an easy hole to fall into – and a magic potion for a young and flawless face seems to be the only way out. But there is no quick fix to looking fabulous. The secret to a perfect complexion is a combination of things, and feeling good about yourself is a sizeable slice of that pie.
Studies show that some people feel younger or older than they really are, and this ‘subjective age’ has a significant effect on their physical and mental health. Scientists are finding that it is linked to the fact that some people appear to flourish as they age, while others fade. And how you feel about yourself might have a deeper effect than you realise. Yannick Stephan at the University of Montpellier examined middle-aged and elderly participants, and while most of them felt about eight years younger than their chronological age, some felt older. It showed that feeling between eight and 13 years older than your actual age resulted in an 18 to 25-per-cent greater risk of death over the study periods. Feeling younger than your years also seems to bring with it a lower risk of depression and better mental well-being.
We can’t deny that having the perfect appearance helps boost confidence and, consequently, makes you feel good. However, don’t forget that an ugly personality destroys a pretty face. So, maintain a positive outlook on life and pamper yourself with beauty treatments from time to time – and the rest will follow