Everyone experiences negative thoughts every now and again, but frequent negative thoughts about poor body image can take a major toll on your mental and physical health. Anxiety, depression, or social withdrawal can stem from lack of self-confidence, and the constant onslaught of tan, sculpted physical specimens on Instagram posting #travelgoals adventures in next to nothing does not necessarily make you feel awesome.
Studies show that the increased screen time, especially in regards to social media, has lowered overall self-esteem. According to DoSomething.org, roughly 91% of women are dissatisfied with their bodies, and around 40% of women and 20% of men have considered some form of cosmetic surgery to improve physical appearance. There’s no need to delete your social media accounts, because there are easy ways to boost body confidence. The perfect body does not exist, despite what history or advertisements have displayed. On National Plus Size Appreciation Day, embrace your beauty and consider the following tactics to increase body confidence.
Focus On What You Love About Yourself
Talk about your hair, your ankles, your boobs, your legs, or your butt. Focus on what you love about yourself and say it loud. Statistically, hearing what you like about yourself, as opposed to saying horrible things in the mirror, has a positive effect on self-esteem. Start with one body part and address why you love it and what you love about it. It may seem odd, but it may help to fight body image issues.
Find A Workout You Really Enjoy
Movement is movement, and we encourage everyone to engage in physical activities that interest them. Exercising works to release endorphins (happy hormones), making it hard to think poorly of yourself. Walking, biking, lifting weights, or swimming may not be for you, and that’s okay! There are so many workouts, classes, and exercise programs out there, so don’t confine yourself to one mode of exercise. Get creative and join a local roller derby league, try hula hooping, go to a yoga class, or whatever makes you happy.
Be Grateful
Even though you may not feel like it, others may be jealous of the way you live and what you have in life. Constantly worrying about the way you look is, quite simply, a waste of time and energy. Focus on the things you have achieved and take the time to appreciate what you have. Be thankful of the beautiful people in your life, your pets (if you have them), and love what you have instead of the things you don’t have.
View Your Body As Your Friend
When you look in the mirror, acknowledge all of the things that your body has been able to do. Perhaps you successfully gave birth, completed a half marathon, or maybe you have regular bowel movements. Your body is not the enemy; rather, it is your friend, temple, and shrine to appreciate and love. Throw yourself a compliment every day.
Affirmations Are Everything
The more positivity you adopt into your life, the better off you’ll be. You may think that reciting or listening to positive affirmations every morning is ridiculous, but these affirmations can become somewhat of a belief system. Try the affirmation, “I can do anything I set my mind to.”
