How to Love Your Body

Co-authored by Kim Chronister, PsyD

Last Updated: August 12, 2021 Approved

Loving your body can be difficult, especially with photoshopped media images constantly barraging us on a day to day basis. The glamour shots and models seen in magazines and billboards are false representations of what those people actually look like, but somehow it can be easy to feel expected to live up to those standards. There is no such thing as a perfect body, and trying to achieve one is impossible. Everyone has their own unique shape that should be embraced and not criticized. Your body is part of what has taken you through life, and that is something to love.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Developing the Right Mind Set

1
Do not compare yourself to others. Our standards for beauty are majorly influenced by media, Hollywood, and popular culture. Through these outlets, we develop negative judgements of our bodies by comparing ourselves to photoshopped pictures and glamorized movie stars. These images are created and altered by computers and are not realistic goals to achieve. Popular media can be hard to ignore, but you can loosen the grip of majority rule by deciding to love your body because your body is real.^{[1]
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- Whenever you see an image in a magazine, commercial ad, or some other media outlet, remind yourself that the image is false. The person you are looking at has most likely been air brushed and altered to look like that. You should not compare yourself to computerized images.
2
Give yourself compliments. Having love in your life starts with loving yourself. You should view and treat yourself with the same kindness and admiration you would with someone you love. You probably wouldn't critique another person's body for the same things you critique on yourself. Don't hesitate to give yourself a compliment, go easy on your mistakes, and forgive yourself when you mess up. Drop the self-hatred, and replace it with understanding and appreciation.^{[2]
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- Look in the mirror and say "I am attractive, confident, and amazing!" Keep that up and eventually you will see yourself in a more positive light.
- When you accomplish a goal, let yourself know how proud you are of yourself. Look into a mirror and say, "Great job, I am so proud of you."
3
Practice gratitude. Appreciate what you have and love your inner-self. Do not let the number on the scale or your pant size define who you are or of what you are capable. Nothing good will come from being mean to yourself when you look in the mirror. Here are some ways to practice gratitude in your everyday life:^{[3]
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Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living

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- When a bad situation presents itself, do not let it get you down. Instead, ask yourself what you can learn from it when you look back on it and what you may be grateful for.
- Make a vow not to be negative or criticize for ten days. If you slip up, forgive yourself and keep going. You will notice how much energy you were wasting on negative thoughts.
- Keep a gratitude journal to write down the things you are grateful for everyday. Your body is a miracle, and you should celebrate all of the gifts your body has given you. Think about all of your great accomplishments, relationships, and activities you love that your body has allowed you to have and record them everyday.
4
Make a list of all of the positive things in your life. Everyone has insecurities, but the key is focusing on what you like about yourself and your life. It can be easy to let the negatives outweigh the positives, but making a list can help prevent this.^{[4]
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- Start off by finding one thing that you like about yourself, no matter how small. Once you are feeling more confident in that thing, identify a second thing and so on. Build up a list of things you love about yourself, and when you hear a negative thought pop into your head, immediately refocus on the list. Eventually, you will see more positive qualities than negative.
5
Steer clear of negativity. Stay away from people who often rant about their bodies. Their insecurities can rub off onto you and get you thinking about what problems you may have. Life is too precious to waste time self-loathing or knit-picking about your body, especially when your own self perceptions are usually more critical than what anyone else thinks.^{[5]
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- If someone starts to bash or criticize their own body or life, do not engage in the negativity. Instead, change the subject or make your exit.
When you act like you have confidence, you will feel good about yourself. Even if you don't feel like you have any, pretend. Pull back your shoulders, tilt your head up, and smile. Smiling is one of the biggest things you can do to improve both your self-image and the way others see you. If you hold yourself confidently, inner confidence will follow.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Practicing Healthy Habits

To feel good about yourself, and show respect to your body, start every day with a refreshing shower. Use nice smelling soap, wash your face, and put deodorant on after you shower. This will keep you refreshed, confident around people, and help send positive thoughts to your mind.^{[7]
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2
Wear comfortable clothes that help you feel good. Everything in your closet should complement your current body shape and appeal to you. Don't wear something uncomfortable just to impress others if it makes you feel self-conscious. Remember, you always look better being yourself.^{[8]
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National Eating Disorders Association
Nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and communities affected by eating disorders

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- Wear clean clothes free of tears or rips to dress your body the way it deserves.
- Buy matching underwear and bras even if you are the only one who will see them. This tells your inner-self that you are doing this for you and only you.
3
Commit to daily affirmations. Affirmations are positive statements that are meant to be repeated until the mind starts to believe them as true. Verbalizing what you like about yourself helps your brain to remember more easily than just thinking thoughts silently. You can personalize your daily affirmations however you see fit, just make sure they are positive statements. Here is a great statement to start with:^{[9]
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- Everyday, look into a mirror, and say, "I am beautiful; I am loved; I love myself as I am."
Make a goal to eat fruits and vegetables each day to nourish your body and thank it for all that it gives you. This will not only give you a glow and long-lasting health benefits, but it will teach you how to respect your body. This does not mean that you have to stick to a strict dietary plan, but do make an effort to eliminate junk food and eat healthier to fuel your body.^{[10]
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Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

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5
Get regular exercise. The best way to love your body is to partake in physical activities that are good for you and help you feel good. Don't just exercise to lose weight, but do it to take care of your heart and overall health.^{[11]
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HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.

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- For example, yoga is good for relaxation, core strength and general well being, whereas sports are an excellent way to release energy productively and has been shown to improve mood.^{[12]
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  Research source} Yoga also helps connect the mind and body, which can help with body acceptance.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Kim Chronister, PsyD
  Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview. 28 July 2021.}
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding Support

1
Ask others what they love about you. Although it may be scary and intimidating, ask your friends and loved ones what they think your best qualities are. This will help boost your confidence and remind you that your body has given you so many gifts. You will most likely be surprised at the wonderful things they see in you that you often miss. Here is a way you can ask:
- Start off by giving your friend or loved one a great compliment, and then ask, "What do you think is my best quality?"
People develop the attitude and behaviors of the people who surround them. If you keep positive influences in your life, you will adopt those attitudes which will help you love yourself, inside and out. Look for people who are optimistic, work hard toward their goals, and respect themselves.^{[14]
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3
Follow after your role models. Think about all of the people either directly in your life, or those who have accomplished amazing things that you admire. Those individuals are most likely renowned and respected for their accomplishments outside of their bodies. Use this to help you remember that your body does not stand in the way of your life or happiness. Your body can help you pursue all of your dreams and desires.^{[15]
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- Think about your family members, close friends, or someone you have never met but always admired, and make a list of their best qualities. Then, ask yourself if their self-image or body made the list, or kept them from achieving their accomplishments.
- If you still find yourself struggling with body acceptance, try working with a therapist. If you have an eating disorder, ask for an eating disorder specialist specifically.^{[16]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kim Chronister, PsyD
  Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview. 28 July 2021.}
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Keeping a positive attitude about who you are is probably the best thing anyone can have about themselves.

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Loving your body also means loving who you are.

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Self-affirmations are a must, and you should remind yourself you are beautiful just the way you are even if you don't think so.

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