With the New Year upon us and Valentine’s Day looming, it’s time we showed ourselves a little love and made some resolutions to be kinder to ourselves!
Being body positive is about accepting and loving oneself, regardless of size, shape, or appearance. Embrace your body and recognise that beauty comes in all forms. To cultivate a more body-positive mindset, here are some steps you can take:
Challenge societal standards:
Beauty ideals are subjective, remind yourself that there is no one-size-fits-all definition of beauty.
Surround yourself with positive influences: curate your social media feeds by following accounts that promote body positivity (such as Emily Clarkson... yes, Jeremy Clarkson’s daughter) and diversity. Surrounding yourself with uplifting messages and diverse representations of beauty can help shift your perspective. Focus on self-care: Take care of your body in ways that promote overall health and well-being not faddy dieting. Engage in activities that make you feel good.
Practice self-compassion:
Reframe negative self-talk by focusing on your strengths, accomplishments, and unique qualities. Treat yourself with
the same kindness and compassion you would extend to a loved one.Appreciate your body's capabilities: Shift focus from appearance to what your body can do. Celebrate its strength, resilience, and the experiences it allows you to have.
Dress for yourself: Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident, and express yourself authentically.
Remember, body positivity is a journey, and it's okay to have ups and downs along the way.