A whopping 87% of girls grow up thinking the world will judge them on their looks and only 4% of UK women feel beautiful.
What about you? When you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the mirror or see yourself in an Instagram post, what thoughts come to mind?
Are these thoughts positive or negative? If they’re positive (I look happy), that’s great. But if they’re negative (everyone looks good but me), you’re obviously not alone. Many of us struggle with body positivity, especially when it comes to how we look.
But we’re here to help you reverse those negative self thoughts. By making some small tweaks to your thought patterns, you can easily develop a positive self-image. Here are 4 tips aimed to boost your confidence from within to help you feel amazing from the inside-out, no matter your age!
#1: Aim For Body Neutrality
Separating your value as a person from the way you look is the first step in developing a healthy body image.
If you struggle to embrace your body, aim for body neutrality—caring less about how you look and more about how you feel.
If you don’t know where to start, list some of the things that your body can do for you, either mentally, written in a journal or spoken aloud.
For example, you might appreciate how your body allows you to bend over and pick up your child or how your legs allow you to walk up 4 flights of stairs every evening after work. By taking the focus off of what your body looks like and replacing it with what it can do for you, you’re better equipped to detach your self-worth from your appearance.
Related: 5 Ways to Learn to Love Your Body More Even When You Hate It
#2: Focus on Treating Your Body Well
Now that you’ve cultivated some gratitude for all the things your body can do, focus on treating your body well. But by all means, don’t obsess over what you eat or how much you train—restrictive diets and excessive exercise only cause you to hyper-focus on your appearance, which may prevent you from honing in on what your body truly needs.
Instead, nourish your body with a variety of healthy foods and find exercise that you enjoy. And don’t be afraid to try something completely new. Just remember: Your workout routine doesn’t have to look like someone else’s—it should be unique to you and aligned with your preferences.
#3: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
It’s really difficult to stop comparing yourself to others, especially when scrolling through Instagram on the reg. “My body’s not good enough,” “my clothes aren’t cool enough,” “my house isn’t fancy enough.”
But comparing yourself to others is a surefire way to send your self-esteem down the drain. Instead, opt for objectively admiring the good qualities you notice in others and make it a point to compliment them on said qualities. This will brighten your day and theirs.
Related: Welcome to Your 22-Day Self-Care Journey
#4: Lock in on Your Strengths
It’s time to turn the focus inward. Instead of comparing yourself to others, start recognizing your strengths, talents and accomplishments.
As an exercise, jot down 3 things that you really like about yourself and be sure to make them personal.
Whether you’re a great friend, super organized or amazing with kids, jot it down and follow it up with a paragraph or two on why you’re so awesome. Think of it as a love letter to yourself.
Final Thoughts
Has it been a while since you took the time to thank your body for all it can do? Now’s your chance. Whenever those negative thoughts start brewing, revisit this article and get inspired by what positive self-talk and action can do for your life.
At Gymondo, we pride ourselves in helping people worldwide develop positive lifestyle changes, gain more confidence and learn to love and accept who they are. There’s no better way to feel good about yourself than by incorporating fitness and healthy eating into your daily life. Start exploring 100s of effective workouts and 1000s of healthy recipes today.
