Want to Look and Feel More Attractive? Science Says These 8 Tips Work!

We can’t feel like beauty queens and studs every day. Even the most attractive people wake up on the wrong side of the bed, and when that happens the image staring back at them in the mirror ain’t pretty! But the truth is, feeling more desirable has little to do with how you actually look. There are numerous scientific studies that show how simple changes in your lifestyle can not only boost your confidence, but also make you appear more attractive in the eyes of others. Here are 8 ways to achieve this.

1. Get Your Heart Pumping

You might not necessarily be a fan of hitting the gym or going out for a morning job, but if you want to feel better about yourself, it is a must. It’s not merely that it will change your body in positive ways, it will also have an affect on your mood. For instance, physical exercise relieves stress and anger by releasing endorphins, the feel-good chemical. In addition, it gives you time to yourself (which is something we all need), and provides a balance between work and play. Recess isn’t just for kids is what we’re getting at.

2. Compliment Others

One of the best ways to look good in the minds of others is to say things that boost their esteem. For instance, a study conducted in 2016 found that when men used metaphors to complement women, those men were more likely to be considered attractive. The key, of course, is to use appropriate compliments and not go too far with them. But with the right words, you might just score a date with that person you have a crush on!

3. Smile

It’s that simple. When you smile at someone – even at a stranger – the majority of the time they will instinctively smile back. The reason is, you give them the perception that you are a warm, inviting person. When looking for a mate, we want somebody who we find approachable regardless of how pretty or handsome their face is. Smiling at somebody could literally make them feel happy for the rest of the day!

4. Recite Positive Affirmations

There used to be an old Saturday Night Live skit in the early 1990s in which a goofy but wholesome character named Stuart Smally looks in a mirror and states, “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and gosh darn it, people like me.” As silly and humorous as it might have seemed, there is a lot of truth to what he was doing. This exercise raises your self-awareness and allows you to actively notice all of the positive traits about yourself. Even the act of referring to yourself in the second person (“you”) when giving these pep talks has demonstrated positive benefits. For instance, a study conducted at the University of Illinois found that it leads to better work performance in addition to higher levels of confidence.

5. Don’t doubt yourself

A study from the National Institutes of Health found that people who focus only on the negatives about themselves were more likely to doubt themselves and feel unhappy with their lives. It is essentially a self-fulfilling prophecy. When you make negative statements about yourself, you begin to believe you are worthless. We aren’t suggesting that you shouldn’t critique yourself, but take time to think about why you feel this way and ask yourself what you can do to change it.

6. Stick to the Right People

When you’re around people who create a toxic friendship environment, all it does is bring you down. Why would somebody want to be friends with those who insult them or otherwise act obnoxious and inconsiderate? Because studies have found that people often don’t even realize they’re being abused. Rather, they tend to see these people through “rose-colored glasses.” Unfortunately, the consequences can be serious on your mental health. This is why it is important to move on from toxic people and make friends with those who provide you with support and encouragement.

7. Demonstrate Your Funny Side

One surefire way to make yourself feel good is when others laugh at your jokes. Using humor is also a good way to break tension and not allow your day to be ruined by the little things. The problem is, a lot of folks take life way too seriously, and this is something that everybody else immediately notices. Don’t let other people define you as the grumpy person who never finds anything funny. As an added bonus, when women laugh at a guy’s joke, she is more inclined to be romantically interested in him.

8. Demonstrate good posture

How do you feel when your shoulders are slouched and you’re looking down at the ground? Probably not very good. Other people who see this are likely judging you as well, concluding you are timid and probably not much fun to be around. On the other hand, when you strike a “power pose,” you begin to feel more confident in yourself and, well, more powerful. So if you’re looking for an easy way to boost your mood, keep your chin up both literally and mentally!