Relationship Quotes & Advice
4 Reasons Why Appearance Matters in Relationships
Talking about appearance is a touchy subject. No one wants to be judged solely by the way they look, nor should they. Attractiveness is defined by many things which go way beyond the superficial. That being said, there are certain things about appearance that are quite important. No matter how shallow it may sound, looks do matter, but not in the way you may be thinking. No one is suggesting that you need to be a size 2 or have huge biceps to be good-looking. Even if you are nearly the perfect specimen, there are a number of less obvious things that can take your attractiveness quotient down several notches. So, why do looks matter? Here are four primary reasons.
Why Appearance Matters in Relationships
1. Physical Attraction – Being attracted to someone physically happens for a variety of reasons. It’s not only about the way they look. But there is no getting around the fact that physical interest starts with finding someone who is attractive physically. This is only slightly truer for men than for women – women are drawn to attractive men as much as men are drawn to attractive women.
2. Appearance Is An Indication Of Self-Respect – How you look says a lot about who you are and how you feel about yourself. Staying physically fit, being well-groomed, and dressing appropriately are indications that you respect and feel good about yourself, and want to present yourself in the best way. Of course, these aren’t the only measures of self-respect. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people who fail to recognize that their behaviors and choices must go hand-in-hand with the image they are trying to project. Otherwise, it’s all window dressing.
3. Health – There is no disputing that exercise is good for your health. However, most of us don’t just want to be healthy, we also want to look fit and attractive. The upside is that these two things go hand-in-hand. A person’s concern for their physical shape and appearance has a positive impact on their health – when being addressed through exercise. People who workout, and therefor look like they workout, are typically healthier overall than those who look like they sit on the couch. So whether it’s vanity, a direct concern for your health and stress levels, or a combination of both, staying physically fit is always a wise choice.
4. Your Own Self-Esteem – It’s almost always true that when you feel like you look good, you feel better about yourself. We stand a little taller hen we feel like we’re the most attractive version of ourselves. This doesn’t mean that we are striving to look like Ken and Barbie, but it does mean that we are doing the best for ourselves by way of grooming and staying physically healthy. One of the best ways to boost your own self-esteem is to feel like you are taking care of yourself in a positive way and that it shows.
Admitting that looks matter can make many people feel uncomfortable. It may seem a little archaic and a bit narcissistic to focus on anything as superficial as physical appearance. But appearance can indicate a lot about someone – do they take care of themselves, are they likely to be healthy, and do they seem to have self-confidence and self-respect? Just remember that old saying about books and their covers. While appearance can tell us certain things, it doesn’t tell us everything. Personality may be more important than looks, but looks can often give us a pretty good clue about someone.
