If you look good you feel good right? That’s the philosophy most people have when it comes to school, your job, sports and many other things in life, but does looking better on the outside make you feel better on the inside?
There have been numerous studies done behind the mental state of mind about feeling good. Studies have shown that it doesn’t matter how good you look on the outside, but it’s the mental feelings on the inside that really count. There are a lot of factors that go into the mental side of looking good. Human touch, having friends, and stress levels are some of the major factors that go into the mental side of feeling good about yourself. Human touch was the first on the list because it can be the most important factor. Human touch and interaction is something we all crave for. Studies have shown if you are touched ten times per day human to human contact, you are more likely to have a better day. You can notice this in babies who are held a lot and babies who are encored. Babies who have more human touch and interaction are overall more happy babies than ones who get low levels of touch and attention. People who have more solitary lives very few friends tend to be depressed more often than people with a high friend count and a more active social life. Stress level is another major player in mentally feeling good. People with high stress levels also have higher levels of anxiety that can affect the body both physically and mentally. So just because you look good, doesn’t necessarily mean you feel good.
As soon as I saw the title of this blog I instantly wanted to read it because I have heard people say this so many times and I never completely agreed. Personally, I also don’t agree that if you look good you will feel good because I can promise you I definitely feel way better in sweatpants and a sweatshirt rather than jeans and a top; yes, I most likely look better but I know that I don’t necessarily feel better. Another thing that I always think about is how someone may look good yet have a horrible personality which may not have to completely do with feeling good about yourself but if you have a horrible personality, you can’t feel that good about yourself.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/head-games/201210/why-are-mean-people-so-good-looking
This post grabbed my attention as I am one of those people that also thinks that if I look good, I feel good. But I also believe that it might have to do with how you carry yourself and how you view yourself to other. For me , I have never been the kind of person to have to compare myself to others and always have a positive outlook on things, making it easier to think in the ” look good, feel good ” way.
I think the idea behind this is that when you are feeling very cheery and in a good mood, you tend to take care of your appearance more. I’m not talking about working out, I’m talking about wearing your favorite outfit and taking the extra time to look your best (mostly aimed towards girls doing make up and hair). Another interpretation of this saying could be when you’re dressed up, you are in a better mood. Everyone remembers getting ready before homecoming and prom in your nice, formal wear and feeling really good for the evening. Your interpretation of it makes complete sense as well. It is interesting how many different ways such a simple saying can either be argued for or refuted.
I definitely agree with what you said in this post – human interaction, sociability, etc. are all the things that can make you feel good instead of just outward appearance. However, although I definitely don’t agree with the fact that looking good is guaranteed you happiness, I would have said that being happy with how you look for the day can definitely improve your mood – it can make you feel a little more confident.
I agree with your post, but at the same time I wonder whether it can also work the other way round. If we feel good about ourselves, can it lead to us also showing it through our bodies. A similar concept to telling ourselves that we are happy, and eventually becoming happy. Maybe our postures, personality
and aura changes with our mental state.
Playing sports growing up, I used to always tell myself “look good, feel good. Feel good, play good.” That was a motto of mine. This blog appealed to me because of its relatability. I’m satisfied that I learned that my motto was all mental. Do you live by the motto “look good, feel good”?
I fully agree with this post! Everyone always tells me that they have to look good to feel god and I just don’t agree. Personally I am most comfortable when I am lounging around in my sweatpants, or my comfy clothes. I think this was great and totally reassured my thought process. Check this out