A Simple Guide to Body Positivity

A guide to body positivity

In the age of Instagram and TikTok, it’s easy to compare your appearance to others. But self-criticism isn’t healthy, and it negatively affects your self-esteem. LaserAway recently performed a study on body positivity and found that 90% of people say they could be more body positive, and only 46% feel confident in their bodies. Because most people aren’t born with model figures, it’s important to practice self-love. That’s what body positivity is all about.

If you’re not familiar, the core beliefs behind the body positivity movement are:

All bodies are good, no matter their shape and size
All bodies are beautiful, even if they have stretch marks, scars, and cellulite
All bodies should be accepted and embraced

Sometimes accepting yourself — inside and out — for who you are is easier said than done. Luckily, here are 10 simple ways to incorporate body positivity into your everyday life:

1. Recite positive affirmations

Try reciting positive affirmations to yourself every day while looking in the mirror. This can change how you feel about yourself, helping to boost your self-confidence. Some examples of positive affirmations are, “I am beautiful just as I am, inside and out,” and, “I have a gorgeous body — I especially love my strong thighs.” In LaserAway’s study, they found that people love their eyes, hair, lips, butt, and calves the most. Find something you love about yourself and focus on it more!

2. Find out what makes you happy

An easy way to increase your self-confidence is finding out what you’re passionate about—whether it’s being in nature, learning a new skill or hobby or simply spending more time with friends and family. Whatever makes you happy, do more of it.

3. Say goodbye to your bathroom scale

Sometimes stepping on the bathroom scale can ruin your day. But remember, weight is just a number. It doesn’t reflect who you are, so you shouldn’t tie your value and self-worth to it. What’s more, weight doesn’t accurately depict your general health. Part of loving your body is about eating right and exercising. As long as you care for your body in a way that feels right, you shouldn’t feel the need to step on the scale all the time.

4. Get some clothes that make you feel fabulous

Going clothes shopping can easily boost your self-esteem. This is especially true if you buy clothes that make you feel good. Instead of focusing on the size on the label while shopping, just focus on clothes that fit well on you regardless of size. Remember that size doesn’t matter, and it doesn’t reflect who you are as a person.

5. Ditch negative self-talk

It’s easy to get caught up in negative self-talk without even realizing it. Every time you notice negative thoughts pop up in your mind, try to challenge them. For every negative thought, think of a positive one. You’ll notice that you’re happier.

6. Do more yoga

Yoga is the perfect exercise that helps you reconnect with your body. Not only is yoga a great stress reliever, it also enables you to be fully present. By being present, you become more aware of your thoughts, including body-shaming ones. You can then challenge those thoughts. Yoga also allows you to take time for yourself —self-care is important for maintaining a positive self-image.

7. Cook a nutritious meal

Body positivity is all about embracing your body. And part of embracing your body is nourishing it. Carving out time on a regular basis to cook yourself a healthy meal will leave you feeling more nourished, energetic, and happier.

8. Compliment others

Complimenting others requires you to be more positive. By complimenting others, you’ll begin to notice all your great qualities, too. After all, positivity breeds even more positivity!

9. Surround yourself with positive messages

The easiest way to feel more positive about yourself is to surround yourself with positive messages. Try reading motivational stories online or collecting uplifting quotes. Every time you’re feeling down, refer back to those quotes.

10. Pamper yourself

Body positivity involves treating yourself well. This means you should take some “me” time each week to pamper yourself — get a manicure or go for a massage. You’ll not only feel more self-confident but also rejuvenated. 40% of Americans focus on physical care and pampering when it comes to supporting body positivity.

Embrace yourself for who you are

In a nutshell, body positivity is all about accepting yourself for who you are, regardless of what you look like. While it might not be easy at first, you’ll begin to notice positive changes by incorporating body positivity into your daily life. After all, every woman deserves to feel fabulous.