Skip to content

3 Ways to Boost Your Body Confidence that Don't Involve the Gym

Written By: Girl Tyler

At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced a love-hate relationship with our bodies. Sure, black doesn’t easily crack, but our melanin can’t defy gravity or slow down our internal clocks. As we age, we tend to become more critical of our appearance. You can do 100 crunches per day, limit the number of calories you consume, or even upgrade your closet, yet none of these things alone will bring you closer to a healthier outlook on your body.

The attitudes that we carry involving our outward appearance starts from within. Developing a positive self-image requires eliminating negative thought patterns. Shift your thinking with these simple and effective actions to boost your body confidence:

1. Mindfulness and Meditation

Relax.  Relate. Release! Meditation has the power to reduce insecurities and help you establish self-acceptance. Find a quiet spot in your home. Grab a yoga mat or towel and lie flat on your back. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to create awareness throughout your entire body. As you work your way from your head to your toes, pay attention to each vibration traveling throughout your body. Although your mind may wander, allow negative thoughts to pass through. Acknowledge them and move on. In doing so, you’ll allow yourself to remain in the present moment while creating newfound compassion for your body.  

2. Watch Your Words

Internalized self-hate eventually seeps out into the universe. As our own worst critics many of us are accustomed to body shaming ourselves in front of others without even realizing we’re doing it. Overcome body bashing by replacing negative language with positive affirmations. Develop your own personal mantras. Write down a list of features that you love about your body and post them around your home. Spend time in the mirror admiring every lump, bump, and blemish on your skin.   Everyone’s body, even yours, is worthy of admiration. 

3. Go on a Digital Diet

Outer messages become our inner voices. We consume countless micro-messages per day on social media from brands, influencers, and even our friends, peddling unrealistic beauty standards. Toxic social media content body shames women into wanting to alter their appearance, which in turn produces a constant cycle of psychological abuse. You have complete authority over the content that is funneled down your timeline. Take charge of what you consume on social media. Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about who you are and what you look like. Seek out body-positive posts and repost them for other women fighting the same fight.

 

Originally published in the Reflection & Rejuvenation Edition of the May 2020 mini magazine

Select options