Instagram pictures and magazine covers have redefined everyone’s understanding of what it means to be beautiful. Now everyone is expected to fit a very narrow standard of beauty that not everyone can attain, and it’s become challenging to accept yourself for who you are. Loving the skin you’re in can be extremely difficult to do. Here’s how you can feel great about who you are and the body you have:
Work on what you have the power to change
There are just certain aspects of yourself that are out of your control — like your eye color and your height — and you have to accept that. Rather than wasting your time and energy on these things, it’s better to work on what you already have the power to change. For example, you can clear up your acne with a benzoyl peroxide wash, strengthen your body with weight training, or work on your mental health by practicing mindfulness and yoga.
Assemble your support system
The people you surround yourself with can have a significant impact on how you see yourself. If you focus on keeping yourself company with people who positively influence your mental health and keep you inspired, it’ll be much easier for you to develop a more productive mindset when it comes to your body. A solid support system is essential to keeping yourself happy and healthy.
Write positive lists about yourself
When you’re at your lowest, it helps to sit down and write down a positive list about yourself. For example, you could write a list of the things you like about your body, things you like about your personality, or nice things you did for people. Whenever you feel bad again, you can always take it out and read it to remind yourself as a good pick-me-up.
Treat yourself like you treat others
Think about the last negative thing you said about yourself. Would you have the courage to ever say something like that to someone else’s face? Would you ever say that to your closest friend? If not, then it’s not something you should be telling yourself either. Before you start talking trash about yourself, take a deep breath and replace those harsh words with the same kind of patience and understanding you’d show your loved ones instead.
Prioritize your mental health
Rather than focusing on your physical self, you would benefit more from working on your inner self. Prioritizing your mental health will help you reframe your perspective and develop more productive habits. Look into practicing mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to help you jump-start your wellness journey.
Reward yourself
This advice might seem trite, but it doesn’t make it any less true. Practicing self-care involves nurturing yourself and letting your body know you appreciate all that it’s done for you. Every so often, give yourself a break and indulge in something that makes you feel good, whether that’s a manicure, a bubble bath, or a small shopping spree. These small rewards will do wonders for your mental health in the long run.
These practical steps will help you deal with body image issues. Although it might be difficult, loving yourself and the body you’ve been given is possible if you keep this advice in mind and put some work into it.
