Boost your confidence and support those around you with these 18 tips for body positivity.
Maintaining self-esteem and a positive outlook is hard work. Even the best of us struggle with this but it is important to keep doing the work. These tips for body positivity start with you however, they will spread to the people around you.
What is body positivity?
Being body positive is more than just loving your size and shape. It is about empowering others to love and appreciate their bodies.
We can all relate to body-image related insecurities. Constantly we are shown images that don’t portray real life. This furthers the idealizations of unrealistic body types, which just aren’t attainable for the vast majority of individuals.
Why Is Body Positivity Important?
Not only is it important accept and love yourself, but it is especially important to promote self-love and self-acceptance. Being body positive is providing understanding and embracing those around you.
Additionally, it is an essential way to reduce mental health risks associated with poor self-image. Depression, anxiety, body dysmorphia and eating disorders are all common factor into poor self image.
How Does Being Body Positive Change Your Life?
In addition to an overall confidence boost, being in-love with your body is an attractive quality.
Not just for potential romantic relationships but for friends and even strangers who may be struggling with their own self-worth. Positivity is truly magnetic.
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18 tips for body positivity
Getting body positive can be a constant challenge for some. However, it is crucial self-work that must be done to ensure ourselves and those around us are happy, confident and of course accepting.
1. Think Healthy, Not Skinny
Avoid crash diets or cleanses that promote extreme weight loss. Time and time again it’s proven to be unhealthy. Instead focus on nourishment and good foods.
Additionally, don’t hate on yourself for eating some chips or a cookie now and again. Give yourself a break and enjoy your life and the food you put into your body.
2. Compliment Others
Wait and see someones face light up when you tell them how much you like their shoes or their purse. We are often quick to negatively judge people and that can often be a projection of our feelings towards ourselves.
Make someones day and tell them how amazing they look. It is guaranteed to make yourself feel good in return.
3. Confidence Affirmations
Start your day with positive affirmations. They can relate to any part of your life that needs a little boost. Tell yourself “I am beautiful inside and out” or “My body is perfect and healthy.”
These little reminders are an excellent way to train our brains into thinking positively. It doesn’t hurt to show ourselves a little gratitude and love either.
4. Get Rid Of The Scale
Don’t become obsessed with weighing yourself. It is a slippery-slope to bad thought patterns. That scale shouldn’t have power over your life, happiness and self-esteem.
As long as you treat your body right with daily physical activity and healthy meals. Who cares about that number beneath your feet.
5. Donate Clothes That Don’t Fit (Big or Small)
It can be a torturous game to play on yourself. Keeping clothes that don’t fit in the hopes that one day the will, is a sure fire way to get down on yourself.
Additionally, those clothes can go to someone else who may need them more than you at that time. Go and buy a new outfit that makes you feel amazing.
6. Stop Comparing Yourself To Others
Every one is different and every body is different. Be grateful for the body you have because it can do things for you that someone else’s body can’t.
Tips for body positivity centres around gratitude and acceptance. Enjoy your life and be thankful for the body you have.
7. Take a Social Media Break
This tip for body positivity can’t be stressed enough. Instagram and other social media platforms are filled with millions of photoshopped images.
Taking a break from social media is necessary for our mental health. Not only does too much of it lead to depression and anxiety, it plays a huge factor into self-esteem and body image.
8. Surround Yourself With Positive People
Being around people who are uplifting, supportive and encouraging is hugely important for body image. You need friends and family who love you for you and tell you to wear whatever you want if it makes you feel food.
Sometimes this means creating a chosen family and that is perfectly normal. We aren’t all blessed with positive and supportive families but we have the chance to build our own.
9. Do Not Put Down Someone Else’s Body
Never, ever, ever, put some one else down especially about their bodies. If it’s not nice, don’t say it. This plays back to personal projection. When we insult or say something negative about another person it is a direct indication of how you feel about yourself.
10. Every Time You Pass a Mirror, Tell Yourself What You Like
Paris Hilton once said “never pass a mirror without looking in it.” When you do pass that mirror, tell yourself that you like what you see.
Even if you’re walking down the street in sweats and a messy bun, tell yourself how cute you look. Challenge those negative thoughts with positive ones!
11. Turn Your Flaws Into Benefits
We all get stretch marks, zits or scars throughout our life. That’s part of the journey and experience!
Scars show us what we survived and where you come from. Zits tell you what your body needs more or less of. Stretch marks show that you body is capable, strong and will take you to places you’ve never imagined.
12. Dress However You Want
Ultimately, wearing whatever you want will make you happier, more confident and comfortable. You will have a much better time if you dress the way you want.
Additionally, try new things. You can experiment with your style and clothing. This is how you get to know yourself a little more and challenge your creativity.
13. Take The Compliment
Learn to accept compliments because when you don’t you’re only hurting yourself. Stop the “thank you, but…”, just say thank you and let that compliment wash over you with its glory.
14. Exercise For Fun & Health, Not To Look Better
The standard amount of physical activity is 30 minutes a day. This can be anything from dancing, walking, yoga, pilates or swimming. If you’re working out to look better, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.
Exercise is meant to be fun and healthy. It should be about how you feel not what you look like. However, if you’re after results, set realistic and achievable fitness goes. Don’t let that take the fun out of it though!
15. If You Feel Good, Celebrate It
If you feel good one day, take a selfie and post it! Go out dancing with friends and let loose. Rewarding yourself when you feel good is a great way to fuel those positive thoughts!
16. If You Wouldn’t Say It To Your Friends, Don’t Say It To Yourself
If you wouldn’t say it to a friend, definitely don’t say it to yourself. You should be your own best friend, so you better be a good one.
Honour yourself, stand up for yourself and lift yourself up. After all thats what our friends are supposed to for us!
17. Don’t Un-Tag Yourself From Photos
This is self acceptance 101! There is no such thing as perfect and you don’t need to only have perfect photos.
Being authentic and confident is being ok with how you look at any given moment. Tips for body positivity is about embracing who you are and loving it no matter what!
18. Stop Comparing Yourself To What You Looked Like In The Past
Time goes on, our bodies changes but so does everything else about ourselves. Younger you might have wished to be more grown up.
It is normal and healthy to look different than the way you did 5 or 10 years ago. Embrace how far you’ve come and show gratitude for what your body has allowed you to accomplish.
bottom line of tips for body positivity
Overall, being body positive is an ongoing mission only you can accomplish. However, when you get there it is not only easy to maintain but it is inspiring.
That body positive mindset is contagious and everyone around you will catch it. Love yourself because in the end that’s who you’re going to be stuck with.
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