The beauty “prescription”

Today’s resources are from the writings of Dr. Eva Ritvo, vice chair of psychiatry at the University of Miami and co-author of The Beauty Prescription: The Complete Formula for Looking and Feeling Beautiful. I am conflicted about Dr. Ritvo’s work. She states that “there are four aspects to true beauty. When they’re working in synergy to make a woman more radiant inside and out, she’s making the most of what I call the Beauty-Brain Loop.” These four aspects are identified by Dr. Ritvo as inner beauty, health/fitness, outer beauty, and environment (I provide examples of each aspect below).

On the one hand, Dr. Ritvo is providing a “prescription” for beauty that focuses on the whole person, not just the outer shell.  On the other hand, she is still fueling the fire of a “beauty culture“.  Of course, ignoring outer beauty all together, in an attempt to get women to focus more on self-esteem, is probably not going to work.  Plus, there is value in beauty, if it’s given proper perspective. Outright fighting the “beauty culture,” will likely backfire, as “what you resist persists.” Is Dr. Ritvo trying, as a psychiatrist, to both acknowledge a persistent desire for beauty and actually using that desire as a way to teach true health and self-esteem? Maybe.  Or, maybe not.  As I said, I’m conflicted.  What do you think?

The following is excerpted from Dr. Ritvo’s Psychology Today article, “The Beauty-Brain Loop“:

· Inner Beauty: Look in the mirror. Are you instantly critical of your face or body? Well, others don’t see you the same way. They tend to view you in a much more positive light. They see your personality, smile, carriage, sense of humor and ability to nurture people. To others, you’re the complete package. Remembering that can help you appreciate and bring out your finest inner qualities. Remind yourself “I am twenty percent more beautiful than I think.” This positive mental attitude will make you smile and help you light up the room.

· Health: Think about how your ancestors ate and mix up your diet with a variety of fresh and non-preserved foods. Research shows that eating a variety of foods yields big health benefits. Even dark chocolate with high cacao content contains a powerful antioxidant and in small doses can give you a health boost. Turmeric, the spice that lends curry its color, is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Even if you think you’re healthy because you eat the same five fruits or veggies daily, get healthier by getting more variety. Try exotic spices, greens, nuts and berries, and eat live, fresh food as often as you can. The more vital your food, the more vital your body.

· Outer Beauty: Exercise and diet are important but take time. There’s nothing wrong with a little instant gratification. Get a chemical skin peel from a licensed aesthetician or dermatologist. Have your teeth whitened. Get a cosmetic makeover from a professional cosmetician. Blow dry your hair or get a manicure. Letting the world know you value yourself is important if you want others to value you, too.

· Environment: Train your mind to see beauty in whatever environment you’re in. Even if you’re driving through a blighted inner city, find pockets of beauty: colorful graffiti, a park, the faces of children. Teaching yourself to see beauty everywhere makes you more appreciative and optimistic-moods that are contagious. Make sure you are spreading the positive ones.

When you enhance any one stage of the Beauty-Brain Loop, you’ll see positive changes in all the others. That’s how the system works. Even if the improvements are small and incremental, you’re going to feel more beautiful, and when you feel more beautiful, you ARE more beautiful. That’s the most important lesson of all.