Take these steps to work towards being more confident and accepting of your body.
Our society has become better at promoting body positivity but there are still many people that struggle every day with their body image. Especially with the popularity of social media, it is almost impossible not to compare yourself to others. Our culture puts a lot of emphasis on appearance which can negatively affect a person’s self-image and self-worth. The truth is that we are all different and none of us are the same. We all have different skin, body shapes, and physical characteristics.
We’ve all heard it and done it, made a complaint about our body, or compared ourselves to someone else. Whether it was out loud or the voice inside your head, those comments may seem harmless at first but they take a big toll on your self-image and confidence. Have you ever said…
- “I should be thinner”
- “My hair sucks”
- “My skin is so bad”
- “I wish my nose was smaller”
Many of us have said these things to ourselves or to others. Everyone has insecurities or something they wish they could change about themselves. It may take some time and hard work but getting rid of these negative thoughts can improve your body image. You can start by practicing gratitude. Right now, think of three things about your body that you are thankful for. They may include…
- “I am thankful for the ability to get out of bed in the morning”
- “I am grateful that my body allows me to do my work or hobbies”
- “I am thankful that I am able to carry out everyday physical activity”
Just starting with something as simple as this can help you. Every time you catch yourself saying something negative about your body make sure to tell yourself “No, I don’t believe that” and follow it up with something about your body that you are grateful for. Practicing more positive thinking can benefit you in so many ways.
If you are constantly comparing your body to people on social media or TV then it is time to take a break from those things. Even just taking a one-week break can put things into perspective. You never know, you might not want to go back to it.
Work on accepting your flaws. You need to realize that you only get one body in this life and you should treat it well. Everyone has flaws and insecurities that they cannot change and they need to accept. Continuing to work on thinking more positively, not comparing yourself to others, and accepting your flaws will help you improve your body image. You are not going to be able to do this overnight but remember that anything worth doing takes time and hard work.