Being beautiful has many advantages. People form better impressions of beautiful people, they cut them some slack and they tend to accommodate them more. It’s just human nature to respond more positively to beauty. The good thing is that beauty does not exclusively belong to the genetically gifted. You can work at how to make yourself beautiful.

Each human being has a unique beauty composed of physical attributes and innate qualities of character. We are fortunate to live in times when society and culture have a more-encompassing idea of beauty that recognizes the individual. Beauty is no longer what it was in centuries past, when a single ideal of beauty was held as the standard and everyone tried to conform to that standard. Sure, mass media still promotes youth, slenderness and facial attributes as the measuring stick, but most people now know better. In our personal lives, we appreciate the beauty of people around us, people of all ages, shape and size and sexual orientation.

In this more accepting environment, you can flourish in your own right. There are four main areas to address in working at how to make yourself beautiful. If you successfully work at these four areas, you will no doubt succeed at making yourself beautiful, inside out.

1. Mental. Beauty starts as a state of mind. Hollywood celebrities and supermodels all have flaws or features they don’t like. Some learn to live with it; some undergo corrective measures to change it. You can have your own flaws, too, especially when you don’t make a living from your looks. When you conquer the battle in your mind, then it is easier to be kinder to yourself and to work at improving yourself. What goes on in your mind affects your body physically. Under normal circumstances, when you feel good about yourself, you carry yourself better and you care more about your health. Therefore, when you are winning the battle in your mind concerning your own beauty, you’ve conquered a large step.

2. Physical. Genetics give you the canvas. It’s up to you to make a work of art. No matter what genes you were born with, you can always improve your body and your appearance with diet, exercise, a good balance of rest and recreation, good posture and the right clothes for your age and body. You don’t get all this in a flash. You must continue to work at it, and even as you age, you will continue to learn what your body can do, what you look good in and what you need to do to be healthy.

3. Emotional. Keep healthy relationships. Find beauty, inspiration and joy around you. Be content, but also keep improving. Nurture yourself and find something to feel good about every day. Do something to help others. Don’t dwell in negativity. Don’t neglect your family. Be kind and gentle to others, especially those who are close to you. Let go of relationships that don’t help you become a better person. Try to find people who support you and encourage you to be a better person, and who protect you from hurt and harm. Healthy relationships are essential to your well-being and to a better, beautiful you.

4. Spiritual. Feeding and nourishing your soul and spirit is just as important as keeping well in all other aspects of your being. Daily meditation, prayer, reading and application of Scriptures will give you balance and alleviate stress. Make your surroundings clutter free, especially places where you spend most of your time. When you are spiritually well, you will discover an inner radiance that can’t be faked.

The universe was created in beauty. Although we may have strayed from that initial idea, there is no reason why we should fail to find beauty with ourselves, with what we have and with where we are. Knowing and doing certain things will ensure that you are progressively succeeding in how to make yourself beautiful.