Recent studies indicate that over 90% of women feel unhappy with their current bodies. Staggering, isn’t it?
We all struggle with our outward appearance from time to time, but is your low body confidence getting in the way of you enjoying your quality of life?
Here’s the thing: perfection doesn’t exist, no matter what any airbrushed magazine or Photoshopped Instagram model tells you.
Body confidence often comes from within; it comes from a spiritual place of self-acceptance and virtue.
Want to learn how to increase your self-esteem? Let’s get to it.
Be Kind to Your Body
Take a moment and think about all the extraordinary things your body does for you on a regular basis. Really, really think about it.
Your legs allow you to walk to all the places you love. Your arms allow you to touch and hold the people you love. Your nose allows you to smell all those delicious scents floating around- from warm chocolate chip cookies to your favorite perfume.
Think about all those cells and molecules working on a regular basis to keep you alive and healthy. Think about all the communication happening in your brain to make sure everything is functioning the way it needs to.
Your body is quite literally a miracle! When you can look at everything your body has done and continues to do, you’ll feel a greater sense of gratitude.
And, when you feel a greater sense of gratitude, you’ll experience more self-esteem and more body confidence.
Dress For Yourself
Want to rock body confidence? You may need to reexamine your wardrobe. Are you hiding in layers and layers of baggy clothing? Wearing the same sweatshirt and jeans every single day?
You’re allowed to flaunt what you got, and you may find that your self-esteem soars when it does!
Allow yourself to wear clothes that feel good, look good, and make you happy. There’s nothing shameful in giving that to yourself.
And, do yourself a favor: throw out those pants that are way too small or that shirt that feels too tight. If your goal is to wear it “when you lose weight,” you’re literally sending your current self a message that you’re not good enough.
Practice Positive Affirmations
Cynical, negative thinking can destroy your body confidence. How many times a day do you tell yourself that you’re too fat or too ugly or too unattractive?
If so, would you tell these kinds of statements to a friend? To a stranger? To your worst enemy? Probably not.
Affirmations work if you practice them regularly. They don’t need to be complicated or over-the-top to be effective, either.
Next time you find yourself falling into the negative thinking trap, practice gently reminding yourself, I’m good enough, or I’m grateful for what my body does for me, or I’m beautiful no matter what.
It may seem cheesy and awkward at first, but you have nothing to lose by giving yourself some extra love.
Exercise Joyfully
It’s no secret that physical activity can do wonders for our physical and mental health. In fact, regular exercise is associated with decreasing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Unfortunately, someone with low body confidence may perceive exercise as an annoying, obligatory chore. She may use exercise as a form of punishment.
Neither of these is very healthy approaches. As humans, we are born to move, and our bodies crave physical activity. You need to figure out what kind of movement your body likes.
Maybe it’s lifting weights in the gym. Maybe it’s joining a new yoga and stretching class. Maybe it’s training for a half-marathon. Maybe it’s a little bit of everything. All of those are okay.
When you move your body, you tend to feel strong and empowered, and how’s that for body confidence?
Eat Nourishing Foods
No, we’re not telling you to go on a diet, because often those can be restrictive, punitive and frustrating. That’s why so many diets frequently backfire. It’s also why dieting can be a never-ending cycle of losing and gaining weight.
It’s not about the number on the scale or the number of calories consumed. Instead, it’s important to focus on the nutrition component for improving your overall self-esteem.
When we eat well, we tend to have more energy and motivation. We feel less lethargic and sluggish throughout the day. Our bodies can better process the foods we consume.
With the right tips, eating well doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Focus on eating plenty of whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and protein, and enjoy treats in moderation.
Your body and your mental well-being will thank you.
Limit Media Exposure
Everywhere we look, from our smartphones to the television, we are bombarded with messages of the “perfect body” and “perfect appearance.”
It can be rather discouraging, to say the least, and it can take a tremendous toll on self-esteem and self-worth. By comparing yourself to others, it’s easy to focus on flaws or shortcomings.
Instead, try this: reduce your overall media exposure. Spend less time on social media and more time with the people you love. If you do want to still engage in some media (and you absolutely can), try and find images or shows that portray real people with real bodies.
And, remember this: most everything in Hollywood has been filtered, airbrushed, and edited in some way. Just because it looks “real” in a picture doesn’t guarantee that it’s real whatsoever.
Look at the world around you. How many people in everyday life have bodies like those models? Very, very few.
Final Thoughts on Improving Your Body Confidence
As you know, we only get one body in this lifetime. If we don’t treat it well, it may not treat us well in response.
Our bodies are our sacred temples. They allow us to do everything we want to do and more.
Be grateful for this gift! Take care of it, nourish it, and practice kindness to it. Watch your confidence soar.
How do you nourish and love your body? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a comment below!