8 Ways To Feel More Confident In Your Body

For centuries, bodies have been subjected to judgment and scrutiny. People who don’t know us feel they have the right to comment on how we look. What if we turned the tables? It is possible to learn how to feel more confident in your body. We feel judged at the beach, at school, and at work. We are made to believe only certain body types are accepted and praised whereas every other body type is just not good enough. No matter what shape or size we are, we are told it isn’t good enough.

Women are constantly told to diet and lose weight and exercise. Women are told if they are too big, it is unhealthy. But if a woman is too petite she is gross and needs to get some meat on her bones. Some people praise those with curves while others drool over a slim body. We are told our skin should be smooth, hairless, free of dimples and cellulite.

With all of this, it is no wonder that women struggle so much with body positivity and confidence. We struggle to love our own bodies because we have been taught for ages that we should criticize others and ourselves.

# Compliment yourself daily

I know this seems silly! But complimenting yourself daily on something physical or not will remind you of what you have to offer the world and yourself. Look in the mirror and tell yourself your hair is amazing or your hips are killer. Tell yourself how smart you are.

Remind yourself you are worthy of compliments and these statements are true.

# Focus on health

Instead of looking at the inches off your waist or the weight on a scale, focus on your actual health. Drink plenty of water. Exercise enjoyably. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Indulge when you want, but focus on the foods that make you feel good.

# Appreciate all your body does for you

Thank your body for all it does. It keeps you alive. It cleans you out. It keeps you going and offers you joy and pleasure. It gives you the ability to hear music and see the sunset and taste chocolate.

Appreciate all the good your body does instead of focusing on what you can’t control.

# Don’t look for outside acceptance

Looking to Instagram comments or even the compliments of friends and family for validation will never offer what you truly seek. Outside validation is a momentary sense of joy. True confidence in your body comes from within. Until you are happy with your body, whatever anyone else says won’t be enough.

# Shop for yourself

Don’t shop for what the store or magazines say is your body type. Don’t follow fashion rules. You can wear horizontal stripes and white pants and large prints. Shop what you love and style it in a way that makes you admire yourself.

# Appreciate all your looks

Sure, makeup and a cute outfit offer confidence. They make us feel good, but learn to appreciate the lazy days too. If you want to understand how to feel more confident in your body, look at yourself in sweats and no makeup, and realize that this is still you and that is amazing.

# Compliment others without body talk

Releasing positivity into the world sends it back to you. Instead of telling others their bodies look amazing or that they lost weight and you’re proud, compliment them in other ways. Let them know that the color of their shirt brings out their eyes or that their outfit is amazing.

You can tell someone they look amazing without commenting on the size or shape of their body. Even when it is a compliment, any comment about someone’s body can be twisted.

# Do things for yourself

Don’t just tell yourself kind things. Do them. Take time for yourself. Cancel plans and do a face mask and have a glass of wine. Go get a massage or buy the dress you’ve been eyeing. Do things that make you feel good because you deserve them.