Post: How to Feel More Confident In Your Body: 7 Things To Consider 

You’ll always have days where you feel insecure about your body. Insecurities are normal, even for those who are confident in their appearance. No one is immune to feeling bad about the way they look from time to time, but it’s important not to let those thoughts control you. We all have different reasons for not feeling confident in our bodies, but whatever the case, there are various tips and things you can do to build up your self-confidence and prevent any negative thoughts about your body. 

Exercise and Eat Mindfully

Exercising regularly, even if you don’t care about losing weight, has been shown to positively affect self-confidence. The more fit you are, the less self-conscious you’ll feel as you’ll feel more confident when you have a healthy body. Similarly, exercising can help you appreciate what your body can achieve. 

Exercise has also been shown to help with mental health issues like anxiety and depression, and as your mood improves, so will your attitude towards yourself and your body, and you can develop a more positive outlook on life. Look for more ways to stay active throughout the week. For example, you might want to take a dance class, sign up for a sports league, or even just take a regular walk with your friends and family.

 

Have a Ritual that Makes you Feel Good

Doing the same thing every day can help you feel more in control. It can also help you feel more confident about your body and other aspects of your life. Rituals can help you improve your self-esteem and feel more confident in your body. For example, if you feel self-conscious wearing a bathing suit, you can do something like wear your favorite swimsuit around the house to build up confidence wearing it. 

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

 

Change Your Perspective

When you feel bad about your body, getting stuck in a cycle that’s hard to break out of can be easy. Sometimes, you need an entirely new way to view yourself and your body. To do this, you must take a step back and look at your situation from a new point of view. When you feel bad about your body, you may focus on everything you don’t like about it. You may think about how you wish it were different or compare yourself to others. You may even be comparing yourself to an unrealistic ideal of what you think your body should look like. Instead, try to change your perspective. Focus on your positive traits rather than your negative ones. And try to let go of your unrealistic expectations.

If you are focused on all the things you don’t like about your body, you’ll never feel like you’re good enough. Instead, celebrate everything your body does for you — focus on your body’s abilities, not those you wish were different. For example, your body can digest food, keep you alive and warm and, for most people, help you move, run and dance. Look at what you’re good at rather than what you want to change. It can be hard to shift your perspective on your body and how you feel about it. But it can be beneficial in the long run.

 

Cosmetic Surgery

If you continue feeling insecure about how you look, cosmetic surgery could significantly impact your self-esteem. Undertaking surgery isn’t a decision to take lightly, so make sure that you’re confident in your decision and that you truly believe that making a physical change will boost your self-esteem. Paying for cosmetic surgery may not change how you feel, so make sure that you’ve taken steps to address any underlying negative feelings for your body. On the other hand, if one area of your body has been a consistent source of anxiety or self-consciousness, then taking radical steps could open you up to a more confident lifestyle. You might want to double-check for any physical alterations caused by cosmetic surgery, although many, like a tummy tuck scar, are not very visible at all. 

Photo by Szabolcs Toth on Unsplash

 

See A Professional Counsellor or Psychologist

Sometimes, body image issues go beyond feeling bad about yourself on rare occasions. If you’re feeling bad about your body most of the time or struggling with negative thoughts in other areas of your life, it might be a good idea to see a therapist. A therapist can help you work through any issues with your body and find ways to feel more confident again. This can be especially helpful if you have a diagnosis like anxiety, depression, or an eating disorder. Remember, though, that finding a therapist can be challenging. You might want to research before you make an appointment to see if you feel comfortable with this person.

 

Try New Things To Feel Good About Your Body Again

If you’re feeling bad about your body, try to find new things to try in your life. Trying new things can help you break out of a rut and find new ways to feel more confident in your body. For example, you might want to try new activities, join a club, take up a hobby, or travel to new places. You might want to try finding new ways to get exercise, like dancing, skating, or surfing. Again, this can help you find new ways to celebrate and appreciate your body beyond what it looks like. You might want to try eating different types of food, or you might want to try a new kind of fashion. There are endless ways to try new things to help you feel happier, more confident, and more positive about yourself.

 

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

Comparison is the thief of joy, as they say. You can’t always compare yourself to other people. You never know what they’ve been through or what they’ve been able to accomplish. Comparing yourself to other people can lead to feelings of inadequacy and regret. Instead, focus on your strengths, your own goals, and your achievements. It’s almost always the case that the person you’re comparing yourself to has their own insecurities that they struggle with. There will always be someone to be jealous of, so instead, it’s better to focus on what makes everyone unique and celebrate yourself and those around you, rather than being consumed with negative thoughts. 

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