When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see? We’re only asking because so many women across the globe have issues with their appearance. It’s a sad but true fact.
When it comes to our body, we’re often so obsessed with seeing our bad points that we fail to notice (and appreciate!) the good aspects.
Let’s get real for a few minutes and please allow us to be blunt: like it or not you’re stuck with the body you have. You’re born with it, it carries you around on a daily basis and unless they master the art of brain transplants within the next few years, you will still have the same body that you currently inhabit until the day you die.
Basically, what we’re trying to say is you need to accept the fact that you have the body you’ve been given. And hey, it’s a pretty awesome body, so how’s about we put our focus on all the amazing things about it rather than obsessing over the fact that we have a muffin top or lack killer cheekbones or have too much cellulite on our arses?
Here at Her.ie we believe that being a woman is an awesome thing. We believe that women are strong, beautiful, incredible creatures and that the female body is a work of art.
If you’ve been feeling a little down on yourself (and your body) lately here are a few simple ways for you to increase your body confidence.
Remember ladies, in this life you only get one body so it’s important to love it. Love your body and it’ll love you back. Fact.
Your body is capable of doing absolutely amazing things.
Accept it: Every single woman on the face of the earth has something about her own body that she isn’t particularly fond of. You may wish you had a backside like Kim Kardashian, but did you know that she hates her cellulite? You’d probably kill to have abs like Jessica Alba but did you know that she can’t stand her “saggy” boobs? (And yes, she did say her lady lumps were going south!).
Accept that you have a unique body, with a unique shape that makes you exactly who you are. Don’t waste your energy comparing yourself to others when you’re already perfect just the way you are.
Take Care of It: Loving your body means caring for it and understanding what works for it. Spend a week listening to your body: make a note of what foods it likes, how much sleep it needs, what kind of exercise it enjoys. Looking after your body will not only improve your help, it will also majorly boost your confidence when you see how your body responds to a bit of TLC.
Celebrate It: In the same way that we all have parts of our bodies that we don’t like, we also have parts that we absolutely love. If you think you have a killer smile, show it off and smile more. If you love your shoulders, wear clothes that show them off. If you have curves that would make Christina Hendricks green with envy, pour yourself into a sexy body con dress. Celebrate the things you love!
Share It: One of the quickest ways to start increasing your body confidence is to see yourself through the eyes of someone who you know is absolutely mad about your body. Spend a day in bed with your other half and just notice the look of sheer adoration on his face when you strip off. Ask him what parts he likes the most.
Sometimes all we need is a little bit of objectivity from the person who knows us the best.
Make an effort to love your body and it will love you right back.
Look at Pictures of Real Women: Back in the 18th and 19th centuries artists were obsessed with painting portraits of real women. What did this mean? Well, most of the artwork from those eras features voluptuous vixens who looked stunning.
Real women come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us have scars, some of us have freckles, some of us have excess body hair – we’re all different and, most importantly, we’re nothing like the airbrushed images you see in magazines. Check out the REAL beauty standard instead of the fake one we’re shown every single day.
Think Positive: It sounds a bit ‘hippyish’ but never underestimate the power of positive thinking. We’re serious. Pick a positive affirmation about your body and put it somewhere that you’ll see it every single day (we highly recommend writing it on your bathroom mirror with some bright pink lipstick).
Whenever you have a negative thought about your body, simple repeat your affirmation in your head. Affirmations help to change your thoughts about things, so if you want to feel more comfortable in your own skin why not try repeating one for a week or two?
Here are some of our favourite body-confident affirmations: “I love my body,” “I take care of the needs of my body,” “I accept my body as it is” and “I am beautiful just as I am.”
