Got the body blues? You’re not alone. Studies show that pretty much everyone – regardless of age, gender identity, race, culture shapes or sizes – struggle with body dissatisfaction. And, of course rates are a little higher in young adults – ugh.
It’s pretty much impossible to live in our media-centric thin-obsessed society and NOT struggle in this area.
It’s also normal for those body-bashing thoughts to creep up and be “louder” during stressful seasons (thanks a lot finals week!).
Here’s the good news though – you don’t have to change your body in order to like it better. Here are four body-image boosting tips:
Tip #1: Deliver Positive Self-Affirmations
What you tell yourself significantly impacts your feelings. Using positive affirmation can be used to replace negative self-talk and bring more confidence in your life.
Using affirmations can help to remind yourself that just because you thought it doesn’t mean it’s true.
Sometimes you are your biggest critique. Flipping the script is a good way to move away from that negative thought. This is when you start to speak meanly about yourself and spin it to be something positive.
Some of my favorite positive affirmations include:
- I am capable of anything I put my mind to. Anything is possible.
- I don’t need to always feel attractive in my own skin to enjoy my life and relationships.
- I am grateful for all that my body does for me.
- I love and respect myself.
Tip #2: Cultivate a Body-Positive Environment
Changing your environment to be more body positive can help reduce triggers and create a safe space for you.
One way to create a more body-positive environment is to make body-positive sticky notes. Consider writing different affirmations on sticky notes and putting them in places you notice you are most critical of yourself, like mirrors, the fridge, or your laptop.
Another way to create a more body-positive environment is to remove food labels that may trigger negative thoughts about food. Instead of relying on these labels, ask your body what it needs – and make room for pleasure and nourishment. Removing labels about food can lead to more food freedom and less guilt surrounding eating your favorite foods.
Another way to create a more positive environment is to invest money into clothes you enjoy wearing. Wearing clothes that make you love can help with your body’s confidence and make it a little easier to get ready in the morning.
The last idea to create a more body-positive environment is to ditch the scale. Your self-worth isn’t based on a number and doesn’t determine your health.
Tip #3: Find a Body-Positive Community
The people you surround yourself with influence how you feel about yourself. When you surround yourself with individuals who say negative things about themselves or others it can have a big impact on how you view yourself.
Some ways that can help with creating a more body positive community include:
- Prepare yourself with responses for when people speak negatively about your appearance.
- Find ways to change the subject when people bring up topics that relate to a negative body image.
- Surround yourself with people who make you feel good about yourself.
Some ways to create a more body positive social media experience include:
- Unsubscribe to accounts that don’t make you feel good.
- Promote and share positive body posts.
- Cut back on time spent on social media.
Tip #4: Explore Body-Positive Forms of Movement
Body-positive movement focuses on all of the benefits of exercise while taking the focus off of changing your appearance.
Regular movement improves body image and helps you feel more connected and in tune with your body’s needs. Some of my favorite joyful forms of physical movement include:
- Yoga
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Rock climbing
Life’s too short to stress about your body. Embrace the fact that we’re all different – body shapes and sizes included. Your body is a one of a kind original – it’s not a problem to be solved. Try one of these tips (or all of them) and cultivate more positivity in your life today.