Look good, feel good

Years ago I remember watching NFL football star Deion Sanders being interviewed on CBS. It was after a game. He was all decked out in his Armani suit, hair groomed neatly, stylish hat on—I could even notice his nails were manicured. I don’t recall much about the interview except this quote. He said, “If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. And if you play good, they pay good!” I remember laughing, but then I thought about it more and it struck me that Deion is right. When you look and feel good then productivity increases and fulfillment in your life goes up. But it’s more than beauty. Our health should be our top priority when we are well, not just when we get sick. Prevention is better than cure. It makes sense to look after ourselves rather than sap our strength with ongoing health issues. That’s what this special 225 Extra issue is all about.

It’s no secret that our culture encourages women to want to look their best. As the embodiment of beauty in our culture, they persistently strive to look young and vibrant; hairstyles, exercise and fashion are all part of the formula for achieving this ideal. However, trends show that men are spending more money in these sectors than ever before. A study by Verdict Research has predicted that despite the economic squeeze on disposable income, the health and beauty market will prosper.

“In uncertain times people are still willing to spend money on making themselves look good and feel good,” explained the firm’s retail analyst Carol Ratcliffe. “It doesn’t cost much to treat yourself and even premium brands are relatively accessible.”

Spending on health and beauty products and services is set to continue to rise, and we wanted to make it easier for you to find out about the latest resources available to you right here in our own city. From healthy eating and fitness tips to new fashion trends and surgical procedures, our first 225 Extra edition devoted to health and beauty has it all. I hope you enjoy.

Life is for living, so live it well!

P.S. Have story ideas, questions, or other feedback for the 225 Extra Health & Beauty Resource Guide? Send us your thoughts at [email protected] using the subject line “Health & Beauty.”