Ever felt like your body isn’t up to scratch? Don’t worry – everybody feels negative about their own bodies at one point or another. It’s important to remember that everything we manifest physically begins in the mind. Whatever exercises or diets you have going on in your life right now won’t give you the self-esteem you’ve been looking for if your mind isn’t in the right place. Learning to truly appreciate your body, no matter how you look, is one of the most important aspects of self-confidence and could totally change your life. To give you some help, we’ve come up with a few ways to help you feel good about your body.
Social media refresh and or detox
There’s no doubt about it – social media has done a lot of good for the world. From connecting us to new people to solidifying old friendships, the progress of social media has helped our lives for the better… in some ways. The negative side of social media can be dark and make us feel infinitely worse about how we look and feel. Clearly, the effects on mental health and body image are huge when social media is overused or used incorrectly. Have a think about the kinds of accounts you’re deciding to follow – do they make you feel good about your body image? Is your favourite clothing brand actively pushing for a variety of body shapes and inclusivity? There is a whole range of accounts out there that do a brilliant job of pushing positive content, which will transform your feed. All it takes is a little searching.
Alternatively, we also suggest going for a detox over a weekend or even throughout the week. Trust us – the positive impact it will have on your mind will be amazing and will give you that extra motivation in your quest for body positivity. Spend that extra time you suddenly have reading a book or taking more walks through the woods, anything that doesn’t involve staring at a screen or doom-scrolling a device.
Body shaming
It goes without saying, but body-shaming is never ok. Our feelings about our own body can be difficult to process at the best of times but can be made eleven worse when subjected to unsolicited advice or vile forms of bullying. If you’re somebody who has been subjected to body-shaming in any form, we suggest not bottling things up inside, as it will only make things worse. Chatting to a close friend, family member or medical professional can be cathartic and will always make you feel better.
If you’re feeling under pressure to make drastic decisions about your body, we also suggest making direct contact with someone who can supply confidential support. Cosmetic surgery and supplements can do some damage to your body if used incorrectly! Never forget – your body is yours, and you shouldn’t feel any pressure to change things you don’t want to.
Be wary of your language
Talking to yourself is part and parcel of cultivating a positive mental attitude. Nobody is innocent of putting to my pressure on our body image – we’re made aware of it almost every day! One of the best things you can do for body positivity is changing how you talk about yourself on a day to day basis. Don’t put yourself down too much and list some things you like about your body and yourself now and again. It might sound simple, but too many people give themselves a bad time, on top of some of the negativity we experience in the world.
Another great way to support yourself is by buying from size conscious brands, such as Chi Chi Clothing. With a huge range of bodycon dresses on offer, you’re sure to find some stunning decisions for all sizes.