Be open-minded when reading these self-care tips to help love the body you are in.

Do you ever find yourself staring into the mirror, disappointed by what you see, and wishing you could feel better about your body? The situation is not unique to you.

According to a recent study, “61% of adults feel negative or very negative about their body image most of the time”. There are various reasons for this. Firstly, we’re constantly bombarded with images of the “perfect” body on our TV screens or through social media, which makes comparing ourselves to these figures inescapable.

Furthermore, our bodies change as we age, making it difficult to recognize the person in the mirror, leading to a lack of confidence, anxiety, even depression.

I’m here to tell you it is normal to feel this way! More importantly, it is also OK to want to do something about it, whatever that may be.

And for you naysayers, it is just as wrong to judge someone who wants to make a change as it is to judge someone for not meeting society’s standards. As far as I am concerned, the first is the most offensive!

With that in mind, here are some self-care tips to help your love the body you’re in.  

Love Your Body By Nourishing It
If you are unhappy with your weight, it may be time to consider what you eat and how it impacts your physical health, mental health, and immune system. And I’m not saying you need to go on some crazy diet, as honestly, those do not work or do the opposite, leading to an eating disorder.

You need to adjust your eating habits by eating healthy natural foods placed on this planet for a reason. This eating approach has many health benefits, as the expression you are what you eat is ever so true. 

Portion Control To Help With Your Weight
While I can taut adjusting your diet by adding more healthy non processed foods, many, for whatever reason, can’t do this. But you can control how much food you eat in one sitting. And restaurants are the worst for over serving..

Tips For Portion Control:

•     Use a smaller plate
•     20-minute rule
•     Don’t double your carbs. If you have potatoes, do not eat bread, etc.
•     Read food labels
•     Immediately place half the food in a to-go box when at a restaurant.

Reward Yourself- It is Not Vanity It Sanity
One way to boost your self-confidence is by practicing self-care and learning to take better care of yourself. Not only can it help reduce stress levels, but it also makes you feel good all the way around. It’s kind of like a mental and physical workout for yourself.

For example, you could develop a skincare routine that, while simplistic, allows you to combat any skincare issues you may be dealing with, such as dryness or acne.

Taking better care of your skin will allow you to embrace your natural beauty, and you may find yourself reaching for your make-up bag less often.

Consider Surgical Interventions
You naysayers, shut your mouth on this. Remember what I said above. The truth is sometimes we need a helping hand when working towards our ideal weight. As such, you may want to look into surgical interventions such as bariatric weight loss surgery.

However, if you are going down this route, you must do your research ahead of time to understand what you are getting yourself in for. It would help if you also worked to find a trusted, respected surgeon to get optimal results. So going to a place like Realself can help with this.

Positive Affirmations To Help Love The Body You’re In
Learning to love your body is about embracing yourself for who you are – “flaws” and all. While the idea of accepting and embracing your body may sound like a bunch of fluffy BS. there are many steps you can take to reprogram your mind so that your thoughts are more optimistic.

For example, you can practice gratitude through positive affirmations. For instance, give yourself a thumbs up in the morning after you’ve washed your face. Or, after physical activity like a workout, do a happy dance or sing a song complementing your appearance. Doing so can do wonders for your emotional health.

Research shows that rewarding yourself like this reaps a sense of accomplishment, making it easier to love the body you are in and to start believing in yourself long-term.

Stop Comparing Yourself To Others On Social Media
There are many benefits to social media. For example, they can be an excellent tool for marketing your business or reconnecting with old friends. However, it can also destroy your confidence, making you feel less loved and accepted, especially if you spend your screen time comparing yourself to others.

It’s important to remember that social media does not necessarily reflect real life. Let’s be honest. Most of us only upload the pictures we look good in – and not the moment in between takes where we didn’t quite nail the pose or had something stuck in our teeth. Remembering this will make it easier for you to nip self-comparison in the bud.

Update Your Wardrobe To Help Feel More Confident
Often, society negatively portrays mature women, such as graying hair, gaining weight, developing wrinkles, are not being able to remain fashionable. Because of this, many feel hopeless about looking stylish in their middle years.

But stop that stinking thinking, as you can look gorgeous in every outfit you wear by dressing to your body style!

When an outfit flatters you, you will find a boost of confidence and change your relationship with your body.

To Sum It Up
To put it bluntly, you’re stuck with YOU forever, so you may as well love yourself. Consistent negative thoughts and focusing on what you “THINK” you lack are poisonous to the mind.

Instead, try implementing some of the self-care tips I suggested to help love the body you are in more each day! And remember small baby steps, with some great affirmations immediately following.