Body positivity instills the belief that everyone has the right to feel good in their own skin, regardless of what society and its standards have to say. We all have unique body types, and that’s something worth celebrating rather than ostracizing and pushing the agenda that there are certain body types or traits that are deemed beautiful. After all, beauty is subjective and in the eye of the beholder.
With that said, fostering body positivity and spreading it to others uplifts their spirits and allows them to be more comfortable in their own skin. We also uplift those experiencing different phases of their lives rather than feel down over it. As a result, we strengthen the community and always feel driven and motivated.
However, we must be careful not to express positivity extremely and with fakeness. That’s because along the challenging journey, we may forget that we’re still human and that there are days wherein we’re not always content with our bodies. We can’t invalidate, gaslight, or push those feelings away. Otherwise, we begin to lie to ourselves.
Thus, being mindful is important when expressing and spreading body positivity. And with this guide, we have some effective ways to do so that also keeps you in check.
1 Point out what you like about yourself.
With each passing day, there’s always something that you admire about yourself and your body. Even if it’s one thing, pointing it out and holding on to the positive emotions around it can boost your mood for the entire day. For example, you like how your hair remains flowy and soft after waking up. It makes you look fresh rather than disheveled.
2 Be mindful of the content you consume.
Social media can easily sway your mood, may it be a good or a bad way. Instead of the latter, use it to your advantage.
Follow people who are confident and real with their bodies, not ashamed of them, and can be honest with themselves and their audience. Share body-positive content on your feed that may help others around you. Tap “Not Interested” on any piece of content that don’t align with your beliefs. Take control of your algorithm so your own accounts are safe spaces.
3 Cut out any negative self-talk.
Such talk came from beliefs and thoughts you had growing up, even sticking with you (much to your inconvenience). But if we take a moment to pause and dissect it, we’d be able to change the situation entirely. For instance, you said out loud to yourself “my arms are chubby”. With a moment of reflection, exchange that negative thought with, “Wait, my arms allow me to carry my things!”
The same goes in public. If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say it all! You may not know what someone is going through if you decide to say something negative towards them.
4 Place love notes all over your home or any space you stay in.
Quite in line with the first tip, wherein once you have an idea or two about the things you like about yourself, jot them down and place them all over your various spaces! They remind you of just how cool you are and challenge (or even power through) any negative self-talk.
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5 Wear clothes that bring out the best in you.
Clothes are a way to express yourself. So as much as possible, avoid the clothes that make you feel uncomfortable or make you go “I’ll wait until I’m much slimmer/thicker”. All you have is now; we shouldn’t waste it by not donning the right outfits. And who knows? The confidence you radiate from what you wear can pass on to others, who then feel an urge to do the same.
6 Compliment others!
Spread the love and positivity to those around you through your words! That way, they feel uplifted and celebrated, which can be carried on throughout their day. Words are powerful, after all, so aiming them towards something good leads to positive and happy results.
Compliments can look like:
- “You’re so strong!”
- “I love that dress on you!”
- “You look happy today!”
- “I like how energetic you are!”
- “You have a pretty smile.”
- “I admire your courage!”
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7 Balance it with body neutrality.
Body neutrality is when you feel neutral with your body and focus more on its functions rather than how it physically looks. Following this alongside body positivity further encourages better self-image and self-esteem over time. Even more so when you spread it to others. We shared some examples just from the previous point, wherein compliments are always physical. They can be based on someone’s energy and vibe too.
8 Shift your view on food and health.
Thinking of your meals and how you exercise shouldn’t come from a place of punishment and harshness. Doing such will just demotivate you. Instead, seeing movement and proper eating as a way to live longer, regain energy, and treat your body well feels lighter and more encouraging. Moreover, consider balance here as well. There’s no need to deprive yourself of the things you like, as long as you prioritize the necessary nourishment.
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Takeaway
And that wraps up our guide on the various ways to spread body positivity! We hope that you learned something new and apply one or some of them into your daily life. We all deserve to be comfortable and happy in our own skin while also giving grace on those days of hardship and challenge.
For more uplifting and empowering content such as this short guide, you can check us out on the Lauvblog over here.