How To Become More Body Positive

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We all beat ourselves up about our bodies & our looks from time to time but for some people, it can be a real issue. Living with a negative image of ourselves can really get us down. It can cause us to withdraw & avoid social situations. When trying on clothes, we might think that an item doesn't fit or suit us & that we need to change ourselves instead of society. It can cause people to lose their sense of self & can affect their confidence in every aspect of their lives, including at work or in personal relationships. We are constantly bombarded with images of what we should look like through advertising, TV, film, social media & celebrity culture. Magazines run articles about dangerous fad diets or how to fit into this outfit & it can make us feel as though if we're not doing these things, there is something wrong with us.

Breaking out of this cycle of low self-esteem can be very difficult but it is certainly achievable. The types of thinking associated with having a negative body image can be contagious & hard to stop. We all need to be a little kinder to ourselves when it comes to our appearance. It's not merely a case of not putting yourself down or thinking positively. It involves changing our entire outlooks and using new inclusive language & phrases to evoke a greater sense of self-worth. This may seem like a challenge but it's one that's definitely worth the effort.

The Human Body Is An Amazing Thing
You are an amazing person. Allow yourself to take that thought in. Everyone on this planet is unique & there are so many things about you that are special to you. You will have personal qualities, talents & abilities that you should be proud of and you will have features that you should be proud of as well. Focus on celebrating these instead of dwelling on the things that you don't like about yourself.

Dressing To Feel Good
Shopping on the high street can be frustrating, looking at mannequins with impossibly small figures & clothes racks full of items that don't go much higher than a size 16. It can leave you feeling frumpy & like there's nothing you could possibly look good wearing. However there are plenty of companies that specialise in plus size clothing that is designed to make you look & feel good. Shopping for clothes online can be a much less stressful experience because you can try on clothes in the comfort of your own home & there's a much better selection available.

Avoid Comparing Yourself To Others
Looking at others & thinking that they are perfect can spell trouble for our minds. We can often fixate on elements of another person & subsequently compare ourselves to them. But in truth, you don't know how that other person feels about themselves. They may be racked with self-doubt & they will probably have hang-ups surrounding parts of their body too. Set your sights on becoming the best version of yourself, no one else matters.

Think Health Goals
Changing up your diet & exercising is absolutely fine. In fact, making sure you're getting plenty of the right nutrients and enough exercise to keep your heart & body healthy is definitely recommended. But when we've got a problem with our body image, we often focus on trying to lose weight or change something about our bodies. It's not the best reason to do something. Doing it for health reasons is far more productive & a lot more beneficial.

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