By We all have days we feel insecure or unhappy with our bodies. It’s part of being human. Having a poor body image happens, so instead of beating yourself up the next time you have one, try and surround yourself with body positive quotes and messaging to cheer yourself up.
Poor body image is an issue that many of us struggle with. It doesn’t matter how many articles we read that tells us it’s what’s on the inside that counts; standing in front of a harshly-lit changing room can make us feel defeated.
Feeling badly about the way we look can be a devastating blow to our overall self-confidence, affecting multiple aspects of our lives. Which is why it is important to re-frame the way we view, think and talk about our bodies.
The following tips will help you get over body shame and start appreciating your body the way it is.
Actively practise self-love
Loving yourself is the greatest revolution. Start by recognizing that the only opinion that matters is your opinion. Self-respect originates from the self, not from others.
Always remember your body is the vehicle which you experience all life. Think about it: Every single experience you have is facilitated by this mind-blowing creation called your body. Be generous to it, don’t curse it for the way it varies from someone else.
Genuinely love your body and affirm it regularly
Try to practice love and care with yourself. Without love, you will fail. Dedicate yourself to the good you deserve and desire for yourself. Give yourself peace of mind. Believe that you deserve to be happy, you deserve the light. Choose love, choose happiness.
Love will help you achieve great results sooner or later. Enjoy the process and watch your body change.
Practise Self-acceptance
Accept everything about yourself I mean everything. Self-acceptance begets acceptance from others, which begets even deeper, more genuine self-acceptance.
Allow yourself to accept compliments from people, but don’t let this be your main source of confidence. Ultimately, confidence is going to come from within you. Sure, it’s nice to have reassurance from others that you look good, but you want to look and feel good from within.
Avoid conversation about appearance
Getting caught up in a conversation about the way someone else looks, whether they have put on weight and so on, inevitably leads to thoughts on our own appearance which can be unhelpful if we’re trying to feel better about ourselves.
       5. Take care of yourself
Exercise regularly and eat healthy. Working out and setting a goal can help you feel great both physically and mentally. A balanced diet is key, as well. That being said, you shouldn’t compulsively over-exercise or obsessively count calories. It’s tough to balance, but try to focus on the internal benefits of a healthy lifestyle rather than the external ones.
      6. Avoid offending media
Social media can trigger low self-esteem. Try not to get caught up in it. Make a conscious effort to go off social media If you’re feeling extra down about yourself, it might be a good idea to delete the apps from your phone for a couple of days for a social media cleanse.
      7. Be patient and gentle on yourself
Take special time out on a daily basis, and allow yourself to decompress. Remind yourself that you are more than what is on the outside and that people come in different shapes and sizes. Instead of concentrating on how you look, direct your energy and thoughts to how you feel when you eat well and move your body.
Note: Comparing ourselves to others is the root of all evil when it comes to negative body image. Every single one of us is beautiful in our own way. Accept the way you are and see your self-confidence meter move up tremendously.
