Modern day beauty solutions come in the form of potions, lotions and lasers. But there is a lot more to skincare than potent face serums and anti-wrinkle creams.
Beauty is the total impact of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. Mind and body are inter-related. There is yet another dimension, inner beauty. It is more a part of us than the body and the mind. So how can beauty be complete without taking inner beauty into account? Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain will tell you how to develop your inner beauty.
Skin is a fantastic communicator that reveals our silent emotions to the world. Our faces turn pink with embarrassment or white with fear. Complexions can appear sallow, dry or as if aged overnight, especially during difficult times. In today’s hectic life, you are more prone to experience acne, wrinkles, dry skin and hair loss. Meditation is not just a medium for connecting the mind, body and soul but it is a way to reduce stress, fear, worry and anxiety.
Meditation helps in strengthening immunity, calming your mind and reducing stress. It gives you a glowing and radiant skin by producing a natural sebum oil in the skin that balances the skin hormones. Our mind and body enters a relaxed state during yoga/meditation, which reduces stress, stimulates blood flow, lymphatic flow and oxygenation throughout the entire body.
Lie down flat on bed or mat in a quiet room away from distractions. Take precaution if you have any backache, neck or any other problem. Close eyes and take a deep breath for a few minutes and then allow the body to take normal breath and focus on the breath. Close your eyes and settle in your position.Concentrate on the inhales and exhales.
Prioritise your mental health and well-being by adopting fixed schedule for meditation for five minutes in the morning and evening in the beginning and then 20 minutes daily in the morning and evening. It is recommended to avoid eating one hour prior to your meditation session.
Regular meditation adds oxygen to the skin that helps in regeneration of tissues and cells. Meditation maintains proper blood pressure and reduces headaches, ulcers, insomnia, muscle aches and joint problems.
Most adults in metropolitan cities struggle with insomnia. Studies show that regular meditation helps in regular and longer sleep, which leads to body relaxation, release in tension and peaceful state of mind.
Inner beauty helps us to achieve harmony because it brings about a better balance of the inner and the outer selves. To find the inner self, you have to find the silence that exists within you.
We allow our mind to control us. The ancient sages advocated yoga, pranayana and meditation to bring about the required balance. These can easily be adapted to our modern lifestyle. Ideally, one should learn these from a qualified teacher but you can start with simple breathing. The silence and calmness already exist within you. All you have to do is discover it.
Breathing helps. You do not need to adopt the yogic posture. You may sit on a comfortable chair, close your eyes and begin breathing, slowly and with ease. Allow your mind to follow your breathing as you inhale and exhale. Breathe in slowly and deeply and then breathe out slowly. Do this 10 times and you will find that your mind has become calmer and your body is also more relaxed.
This can lead on to meditation, which is basically concentration of thoughts. With eyes closed and continuing breathing in and out slowly and deeply, concentrate your thought on anything or anyone that you wish. For example, you can concentrate on any deity or “guru” of your choice. Or you can think of any aspect of nature, like the sun. You will find the mind wandering but all you need to do is to bring it gently back to the object of your concentration. Your concentration will steadily improve. A day will come when your mind can concentrate effortlessly. It is then that the mind becomes a void, allowing the higher mind to enter and flow freely. Introspection and meditation help in looking inwards. And that is where you will find your inner beauty, inner peace and calm.
When you have practised breathing and meditation for some time, you will probably find that your mind is clearer and more alert. Meditation is the way to the real fountain of youth and is more effective than all the beauty potions and cosmetic treatments to preserve youth.
