8 Ways To Show Your Body More Love
How you feel about yourself impacts all areas of your life, which is why self-care is so important. Showing yourself love makes you feel empowered and allows you to be your best self. Here are eight ways to show your body (and self!) more love:
1. Get the perfect body image out of your head.
For starters, get the “perfect body image” out of your head. It doesn’t exist! The idea of the perfect body is subjective – not everyone has the same image in mind. Change your perspective of what is beautiful, and you’ll feel much more confident in your skin. When you’re not comparing yourself to something, you have more gratitude for your body and all it does for you.
2. Exercise regularly.
Yes, we all know that exercise is good for the body. But, exercise does more for your body than make it strong. It also improves your mental health. I can be in a lousy mood, but I always feel rejuvenated after forcing myself to take a brisk, 30-minute walk. Don’t be too critical about what type of exercise you’re doing. Take 30 minutes or so a few times a week to get yourself moving. It will make your body and mind feel aligned, and you’ll feel good that you’re taking care of yourself.
3. Lose negative thoughts about yourself.
Losing negative thoughts about yourself is one of the best ways to boost your daily self-love. We are often our hardest critics, and that criticism can be exaggerated or completely false. Consider that there is one person that your best interest at heart and can build you up or tear you down. That person is you! So, ditch that negativity and only have positive, empowering thoughts about yourself.
4. Making healthy food choices.
What we put into our bodies fuels us or slows us down. Being conscious of what you’re eating can help you feel better about your body. (Not to mention, your body will just feel better.) I love candy, but when I eat too much of it too often, I get bloated and lethargic. And my face begins to breakout. Those things don’t leave me feeling good about myself.
5. Surround yourself with positive people.
The people around you affect how you feel every day. Distance yourself from people with negative perspectives. Instead, surround yourself with positive people who want to build themselves up, as well as you. Their positivity will encourage you to be more positive about yourself.
6. Do small things that make you feel confident.
I’m a big believer in doing the small things that make you feel confident. For me, it’s having polished nails, tamed hair and applying a mask twice a week to calm any breakouts. These confidence-boosting efforts take extra time, but they help you feel good. And, feeling good is invaluable.
7. Get enough sleep.
Lack of sleep can make you negative, moody, emotional and unproductive. These are traits that make you feel lousy. Make sure you’re getting an amount of sleep that makes you feel refreshed.
8. Allow yourself “me time.”
Having quality alone time allows you to refocus your thoughts and renew your energy. There will always be things you could be doing instead of taking time for yourself, like work, social events or being with your family. But you can’t give your best self to those areas of your life if you don’t feel like your best self. So, pencil in your “me time” apologetically. (Check out our list of quality “me time” activities.)
When you show your body love, you’re showing yourself love. And, it’s so essential that you love and feel confident in the skin you’re in. Make efforts to love yourself every day, and you’ll experience a happier you and life.
