Self-love
is a beautiful thing, but getting to a point where we can feel confident in the
way we look and feel can be a journey.
Weight,
age, facial hair, thighs, legs, height, chubby cheeks – we all have things
we’re self-conscious about. Even though these are all part of being human, we
can sometimes let our body issues weigh down our confidence and lower our self-esteem.
Invite some self-love into your life with these top tips to help boost your self-confidence.
Say Positive Affirmations in the Mirror
Every Morning
Starting
your morning with a little self-love can have a hugely positive impact on your
day. Rather than looking in the mirror in the morning and focusing on the
negatives, harness the positive with affirmations. By repeating them often, you
can help overcome self-sabotaging thoughts and start to make positive changes
in the way you feel about yourself.
When
you look in the mirror in the morning, start with a smile, look yourself in the
eye and repeat some positive affirmations, such as:
- “I am beautiful”
- “I am strong”
- “I am grateful for today”
- “I am fearless”
- “I am amazing”
Pursue a Hobby in a Group Setting and
Join a Community
Whether
it’s pottery, photography, sewing or running, finding a hobby and becoming part
of a community can increase feelings of acceptance and self-belonging. Try
joining different gym classes or looking online for groups that align with your
interests.
Can’t
think of a hobby? Shop around for one! There are plenty of community groups,
social clubs and activities to get you going. Websites like Meetup.com can be a great way to find new
people and explore new passions.
Learn How to Meditate
Practicing
just 15 minutes of meditation per day has the power to completely rewire
and transform the brain, and can help make you a more joyful person. When
you meditate, this shrinks the portion of your brain called the amygdala,
which controls fearfulness and anxiety. By getting a hold of this part of the
brain, this can help you to become a happier person as a whole.
Don’t
know where to start? Meditation apps like Headspace
offer guided meditations that are easy to follow.
Hit the Gym
Hitting
the gym can be a great way to feel good about yourself, as well as increase
your mental wellbeing.
On
the physical side, strengthening exercises and cardiovascular activities have
been shown to have an immediate
impact on your happiness. For older people, low-impact exercises like
swimming and yoga can have the same impact. Struggle to find motivation? Group
classes like HIIT
or cycling
can be a great way to find that fitspo around you.
Establishing
a regular exercise routine can help you form positive body images about
yourself.
Not
only does the gym make you feel physically capable, but it’s scientifically proven
to make you feel happier. When you exercise, the feel-good chemical of dopamine
is released to the brain, giving you a ‘natural high’ every time you hit the
gym.
Unsure
how to establish an exercise routine that’s right for you? Enlisting a personal
trainer can give you the confidence you need. Speak to one of our
personal trainers about how they can help you get on the path to self-love,
both physically and mentally.