11 Very Simple Ways To Feel Better About Your Body

Your body doesn't always feel like a wonderland and that is OK.

~Love your body~ is a thing that people say all the time, like it's a super easy and actionable thing to do.

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It can be a lot, especially when — for one reason or another — you're just not in that mindset. Maybe your body isn't cooperating physically, your pants aren't fitting the way you want them to, or there's something about your anatomy that's bothering you.

We can't guarantee these things will make it better, but hopefully they'll help get you a little closer to feeling good in your skin.

1. Smile in the mirror.

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It's cheesy, but it's also hard to feel shitty when you can both feel and see yourself with a big grin on your face. Seriously, it's scientifically proven to lower your stress levels. Related: Look how good you look.

2. Create something.

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Your body does all sorts of things for you on a daily basis that you don't even think about — like helping you carry your heavy laundry, digesting that delicious burrito, giving you sex dreams with Idris Elba, etc.

But actually making something with your hands (or feet or mouth or whatever), is one way to remind yourself of how your body is constantly enabling you to do cool shit. So craft something, fix something, or just play with something.

3. Take a long, hot shower while you practice your Oscars speech.

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Get naked? Are you high!? But really...doesn't feeling clean and soapy in a steamed-up shower (maybe with some sweet lavender soap or something) actually sound awesome right now? And while you're in there, feel free to sing, rant, cry, practice your award-winning speech, whatever makes you feel good.

4. Give mental compliments to everyone you pass.

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Or actual compliments, but that might get weird. The idea is that the more focused you are on picking up positive attributes in other people, the more likely you are to see them in yourself.

5. Give yourself the same pep talk you would give your best friend.

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It would probably go something like: "Hey, you are not a garbage person, you are awesome and perfect and you need to stop treating yourself like crap." (IDK how you talk to your friends but whatever.)

The point is, it's easier to tell your friends when they're treating themselves like crap, but it's harder to pinpoint when you're treating yourself like crap. So if you're currently being mean to your body, use this strategy to remind yourself of why that's not productive or true.

6. Do something that tests your strength, endurance, or coordination.

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Run, lift weights, rock climb, hula hoop, learn how to juggle — anything that gets your heart pumping and your muscles a little shaky. Feel that? That's impressive AF and you should be proud of the body that just did that.

7. Come up with a badass mantra that actually gets you pumped up.

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Something you can think to yourself when your self-love reserves are basically depleted. It can be as elaborate as "You're a warrior, and your warrior name is Beyoncé Pad Thai," or as simple as "Hey. You're OK."

8. Write down what's currently stressing you out about your body, and then crumple that up and throw it in the trash.

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It's a pretty basic self-care strategy, but you'd be surprised at how effective it is to destroy a sheet of paper symbolizing something that's pissing you off. As you crumple it up or tear it to shreds, imagine those stressors and insecurities falling to pieces, too.

9. Eat something that both feels and tastes good.

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Maybe that's Greek yogurt with dark chocolate chips, or a create-your-own smoothie that cost $11 but is stupid good, or maybe it's a juicy, medium-rare filet. It doesn't need to be under 100 calories or contain zero added sugar — the goal is to eat with the intention of putting food in your body that's going to fuel you and make you feel good (rather than bloated or gassy or starved).

10. Masturbate.

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Because how else can you literally love your body? If you ever need a reminder of how great the human form is, spend some time exploring all the ways it gives you pleasure. And don't worry about having an orgasm — that would just be a welcome bonus.

11. Finally, don't pressure yourself to love your body. Let yourself feel how you feel.

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Some days you may not like certain parts (or hell, maybe any) of your body, and feeling obligated to is only going to make it worse. But that's OK, because there will also be days where you're really feeling yourself.

So don't beat yourself up over it, and don't force yourself to view your body in a certain light 24/7. Stay true to how you feel, and let loving yourself be a work in progress. Just the fact that you're taking the time to reflect on and appreciate your body means that you're making huge strides.

Go you. 🏆🏆🏆

Body Positivity Week is a week of content devoted to exploring and celebrating our complicated relationships with our bodies. Check out more great Body Positivity Week content here

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