What thoughts cross your mind when you see yourself in the mirror? Do you sometimes dream of being someone else? Many people do. For instance, one in three young people feels uncomfortable showing their bodies.
Here are some helpful tips to improve how you feel about your appearance.
People often focus on flaws such as an unattractive belly button, large ears, extra weight on the sides, or pale legs. Dissatisfaction with one’s body is common, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, thinking everything is wrong.
Some might feel so self-conscious that they avoid showering after gym class or worry about their partner’s reaction to their appearance.
What can you do to feel better?
First, know that you are not alone. A significant number of young people are also reluctant to display their bodies. This discomfort can make enjoyable activities like going to the beach or swimming seem daunting.
Start by accepting your body and how you look. Practice self-acceptance by shifting your focus away from negative self-talk to the positive and unique qualities that define you.
Here are five ways to feel better about your body and appearance:
Compliment yourself each morning. Stand in front of the mirror and say something nice about yourself. Do this confidently and with a smile. For example, you might say, “Good morning! You look great today!”
Avoid unrealistic images. The media often misleads us with pictures of perfect bodies that have been heavily edited. It can be discouraging to compare ourselves to these images. Let’s agree to stop valuing these unrealistic standards, as they only lead to feelings of sadness and dissatisfaction.
Stop pursuing the ideal body. It’s easy to constantly want to change things about yourself, like wishing for longer legs or clearer skin. However, the idea of perfection is unattainable. Instead, work on accepting your body and yourself as you are right now. You are beautiful just the way you are.