How your Day-to-Day Outfit Impacts your Happiness
Deciding to wear a beautiful dress, a funky belt, or a little lipstick may play a bigger role in your happy mood than you think. Clothing allows individuals to express themselves and can be a powerful tool to better your mood. How you choose to dress can also play into your mental health.
The mental health stigma is slowly improving. Over the past two or three years, we have seen individuals embracing their mental health struggles which has created a positive shift within society. Today mental health is taken more seriously, prompting those who struggle to make time for themselves with activities such as exercise, self-care routines, and yes, being aware of clothing choices. Dressing up can help you sustain positivity throughout the day by reducing anxiety and improving self-esteem.
In an interview with Nutritious Life, fashion psychologist Dr. Dawn Karen explained that, "While clothes are something we place on our bodies every day, we aren't cognizant of our own relationship with them." She continued, "How you look and how you are perceived is a very real thing. Just as sports psychology, military psychology, and forensic psychology exist, there is a true need for this (fashion psychology)."
Dr. Karen shares a few easy tips on how you can dress for the mood you want.
1. Wear Some Color
Adding a little color into your style can instantly make fee you good about yourself and feel more confident.
2.Experiment with Fabrics
Don't limit yourself when it comes to your outfit. Be bold and wear those cotton pants with that leather jacket! By experimenting you are expressing your personality and living your best life. Wearing fabrics such as cotton can make you feel carefree.
3.Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle
If you don't own anything sparkly in your wardrobe I suggest you do some online shopping. Have fun with a shimmery top or a sequin dress - it may be all you need to boost your mood. According to Dr. Karen, wearing embellishments can make you feel all kinds of happiness.
4.Don't Compare Yourself to Others
Resisting the urge to compare yourself with others can be hard at times, especially with Instagram and TikTok taking over the internet, but it is important to focus on yourself and not compare your dressing style with others.
Zahirah Benjamin holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Science and is an aspiring young lifestyle journalist. She is passionate about female empowerment and everything that has to do with beauty and fashion.
