5 Simple Ways to Improve Your Body Image
If you avoid looking in the mirror, because you don’t like what you see, you’re not alone. There are millions of people who suffer from low self-esteem and poor body image issues. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can take to help you feel better about yourself on a daily basis.
1. Dress in Your Favorite Outfits
If you’re just throwing on whatever clothes you happen to grab first, this is the first area in your life that needs work. Wear outfits that flatter your body style. By choosing clothes that make you feel good about yourself, you’ll present a more positive image. Also, opt for outfits that present you in a professional or refined manner. People will treat you according to how you dress, so dress well.
2. Pamper Yourself
You can do little things to pamper yourself on a daily basis and, while they may seem insignificant, they will deeply affect your self-esteem. Of course, personal hygiene is important, but take it a step further. When you put on lotion, do it with a soft touch. Massage yourself. Use some essential oils to add to your bath, helping you relax and uplift your mood. By making yourself feel and smell good, you’ll dispel doubts about your body image.
3. Pay Attention to Your Exposure to Media
We don’t always realize how marketing affects our psyche. For instance, shopping malls and department stores flood us with images of perfection. They try to compel us to buy certain products, so we’ll look more like those flawless, airbrushed models. Conversely, health and wellness magazines really do want to help you look your best, but also try to refrain from content that will make you feel worse about your current body style. Look for media content that makes you feel good.
4. Relieve Stress
Worrying about your body image creates unnecessary stress, which can take a physical toll on the body. Meditation has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body, as well as working to relax the mind and reduce stress. By taking just a few minutes each day to meditate, you’ll begin feeling better about yourself and about life in general.
5. Help Other People
Bringing more positivity to your life is important for limiting self-critical thinking and the best way to do that is by helping others. Volunteer to work with others. By giving back to your community, you’ll help the less fortunate, meet new people, and put your own body image concerns in better perspective.
Improving one’s body image and self-esteem doesn’t have to be a lifelong process. There are little things you can do for yourself each day. By pursuing activities that make you feel good, you’ll improve the quality of your life and spend less time worrying about how you look.