Identifying your favorite features may help you to develop a more positive body image. Take a few moments each day to look at yourself in the mirror and identify your favorite features of your body. For example, you might say to yourself, “I really like the shape of my face.” As you repeat this self-talk on a daily basis, you should begin to notice more of your good features and start to feel better about your body. Bodies come in many different shapes and sizes. Paying attention to the diversity of bodies may help you to see the beauty in your own unique body shape and size as well. When you go out, pay attention to how different people’s bodies are. Note the shapes, sizes, colors, and others features of people’s bodies.  Try not to stare at people as you notice different body shapes. It may cause other people to feel self-conscious. View other people’s bodies with an open, non-judgmental mind. Avoid attaching labels to other people’s bodies, just observe so that you can begin to see how many different types of bodies there are. Don’t compare yourself to others as you observe other body types. You may be able to improve your body image by focusing more on what it can do instead of what it looks like. Even if you are not athletic, think about how you use your body every day.  For example, you might simply observe that you use your body to hug your family and friends, to breathe in, and to smile. Make a list of all the things that your body can do and look at it when you begin to focus too much on what your body looks like. Try out a new physical activity to discover more ways that you can use your body. For example, you could try yoga, tai chi, swimming, or a dance class. While your mirror may also be a tool for you to criticize your body, you can learn to use your mirror to improve your body image. Every time you look at yourself in the mirror, identify something that you like about your body and say it out loud.  For example, you could simply say, “I like the way my shoulders look in this top.” If you can’t think of anything to say or you don’t enjoy looking at yourself in the mirror, you can still use this technique. Just stand in front of the mirror, look at yourself, and say, “You’re awesome!” Say it like you mean it even if you don’t believe it yet. Repeat this daily until you become more comfortable with looking at yourself and noticing things that you like about your body. If you have a poor body image, you may be used to saying negative things to yourself. Changing the way that you speak to yourself can also help to improve the way that you see your body. The next time you have a negative thought about your body, contradict it. For example, if you catch yourself thinking something like, “I am fat and ugly and no one likes me,” turn it around. Say to yourself, “I have pretty eyes and hair and I am a great friend.” Contradicting yourself may be hard at first, but the more that you practice, the easier it will become. Little reminders placed all around your house may also help improve your body image. You can follow the example of major campaigns like Operation Beautiful and post positive sticky notes around your house. The more you see these positive messages about your body, the more you will start to believe them. Some things you might write on the sticky notes include, “You are beautiful!” “Your body is powerful!” or “You have a wonderful smile!” Use your imagination to come up with body-positive messages that you want to hear. Constant exposure to images of perfect bodies and messages about how you are imperfect will have a negative impact on your body image. Magazines, television, and many websites include these types of images and messages, so do your best to avoid them while you work on improving your body image. Try to keep your media exposure to a minimum or even go on a media fast, where you steer clear of all forms of media for a day or more. Other people can also have a big impact on the way that you see yourself. If you have fallen into a group of friends who often criticize your body or their own bodies, it may be time for a change. You can also try talking to your friends about their negative comments. As you work to transform your own body image into a more positive one, you can also help others to do the same. You can support your friends by making positive comments to them and striving to be a role model. Do and say things that reflect your own positive body image and build up others as well.
ركزي على ما تحبينه بجسدكِ. انتبهي لاختلاف أشكال الجسد بالعالم كله. انتبهي لكل الأشياء التي يمكن لجسدكِ فعلها. استخدمي المرآة لتحسين صورة جسدكِ. قولي لنفسكِ أشياءً إيجابية. الصقي ملاحظات صغيرة ذات كلمات إيجابية بكل أرجاء المنزل. قللي من مشاهدتكِ لوسائل الإعلام المختلفة. أحيطي نفسكِ بالأشخاص الإيجابيين. ادعمي الآخرين.