HOW TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOUR BODY

Many people struggle with accepting their bodies. Especially during puberty. You may feel awkward, ashamed, or wonder if everything is "normal". You are not alone

Feeling uncomfortable in your own body and judging yourself in a negative way based on your body is normal and you are not alone. Many people struggle with accepting their bodies. 

These tips might help you feel good about your body:

• Your body is amazing! Learn to love and respect your body for all that it can do. 
• Focus on the many positive things your body does every day such as laughing, breathing, and thinking!
• Try not to compare yourself to people in magazines or on social media as they’re often changed to look perfect. This isn’t real.
• Be aware of the messages the media is giving you. Try and avoid ones that say you need to change or those that just focus on how you look
• Understand you are much more than how you look
• Do things that you enjoy, that make you feel great, or that you are good at
• Spend time with positive people who accept their bodies. It will encourage you to do the same
• Catch those thoughts telling you negative things about your body and replace them with positive ones
• Get enough sleep every day
• Eat healthy food. Eating a healthy diet helps you look and feel your best. It gives you energy and keeps your body working well.
• Build yourself up with some positive thoughts or affirmations about yourself
• Look at yourself as a whole person and appreciate qualities other than how you look
• Write a list of your positive qualities and read it often 
• Remember that your body is unique 
• Keep a healthy body weight 
• Keep your body clean and well-groomed

Remember you don’t have to be perfect. Just always be you. Accept who you are and love yourself

What makes people feel bad about their body

Lots of things can influence how you feel about your body. They include 

• Culture
• TV / Movies
• Social media
• Magazines
• Family
• Friends
• School mates

What is it like to have a positive body image?

Having a positive body image means: 

• Most of the time, you see yourself as you really are and feel good about yourself
• You accept your body and feel comfortable in 
• Most days you feel confident and happy with the way you look 
• You may feel good about some parts of your body and not as good about others
• You’ve learned to be proud of the way you look and know that no one is perfect
• You try your best, know that you are enough, and you choose to focus on the positives