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Learn to love and respect your body for all that it can do. Your body is amazing!
Developing a positive body image
If you sometimes judge yourself and feel uncomfortable in your own body, you’re not alone. Lots of people struggle with accepting their bodies. We’ve got some tips to help you have a positive body image.
What does it mean to have a positive body image?
You don’t have to have full lips, big biceps or long legs to have a positive body image.
It isn’t about what you look like from the outside, it’s how you feel about the way you look.
Having a positive body image means that:
- Most of the time, you see yourself as you really are
- You accept your body and feel comfortable it in – even when it may not match other people's ideals
- Most days you feel confident and happy with the way you look and some days you might wish you could change how you look
- You may feel good about some parts of your body and not as good about others
- You’ve learned to be proud of the way you look and know that no-one is perfect
- You try your best, know that you are enough, and you choose to focus on the positives
What influences body image?
Lots of things can influence body image, such as:
Culture
TV / Movies
Magazines
Family
Friends
School mates
"Losing my hair... taught me to truly value who I am."
What can I do to feel better about myself?
Changing your body image starts with changing the way you think and feel about yourself.
If you can change how you feel on the inside, it’s likely to change how you think of yourself on the outside.
Here are some things you can do:
Focus on the many positive things your body does every day – such as laughing, breathing and thinking!
Try not to compare yourself to people in magazines as they’re often changed to look perfect – they aren’t real
Be aware of the messages the media is giving you – avoid ones that say you need to change or that just focus on how you look
Understand you are much more than how you look
Do things that you enjoy, that make you feel great, or that you are good at
Spend time with positive people who accept their bodies as it will encourage you to do the same
Catch those thoughts telling you negative things about your body and replace them with positive ones
Build yourself up with some positive thoughts about yourself
Look at yourself as a whole person and appreciate qualities other than how you look
Write a list of your positive qualities and read it often - add to it when you discover more things you like about yourself
Remember that your body is unique - your differences give you style and personality
"Stop beating yourself up for everything you aren’t and start loving yourself for everything you are!"
You don’t have to be perfect, you just have to be YOU!
Having a positive body image isn’t about having the perfect body
It’s about accepting and loving your body just the way it is which can take some time and practice.
If you need some support along the way you can always give us a call, start a WebChat or send us an email.
You can also check out Head to Health for other digital services and resources.
This content was last reviewed 14/02/2018
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