Our mothers may have told us not to judge a book by its cover, but research shows we cannot help it. In fact, according to research, the moment we first lay eyes on someone we make snap judgments about who they are.
A study from Princeton, entitled “First Impressions: Making Up Your Mind After a 100-Ms Exposure to a Face,” found that it takes a tenth of a second to draw conclusions about other people’s attractiveness, trustworthiness and competence:
Before we can finish blinking our eyes, we’ve already decided whether we want to hire, date, hate, or make friends with a person we’re encountering for the first time. These first impressions color the way we interact with other people from that point forward. And all of this happens outside of our awareness, in the unconscious processes of the mind…
Consider how the complexion of a fresh-faced healthy individual compares to that of a lifelong chain smoker or sun worshipper. The health of someone’s skin speaks volumes and contributes to the snap judgments we make about them. It is no surprise that a radiant complexion affects how healthy and attractive someone appears.
The good news is that there is a simple way to get that inner glow and it doesn’t require expensive creams or beauty treatments. It is by eating a healthy diet. According to researchers:
What we eat and not just how much we eat appears to be important for a healthy appearance. The only natural way in which we can make our skin brighter is to eat a more healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables.
They found that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, especially carrots and tomatoes, gives a golden glow that is perceived as more attractive than a suntan.
Coco Chanel said:
Elegance is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside.
By eating well, you can achieve both.
I wish you all the best,
Dr. Samantha Boardman
