Body image issues can creep in stealthily, like an unexpected nail in the tire of a perfectly good day. Just when you’re cruising along, enjoying life to the fullest, that inner critic emerges like a pesky puncture, ready to deflate your mood and self-esteem. But, have no fear; there’s hope on the horizon!

4 Simple Steps to Shift The Bad Body Image Day

In the following lines, we’ll unveil four straightforward yet powerful steps that can become your trusty toolkit for steering through and ultimately conquering those nagging bouts of bad body image. These steps can help you regain your sense of self-assurance and carry on with the positivity and confidence that you rightfully deserve. So, let’s dive in and tackle those not-so-great moments when they come knocking.

1. Find the Functionality:

When you catch yourself scrutinizing a particular body part, shift your focus to the incredible things it allows you to do. Take a moment to ponder three activities or functions this body part enables. For example, if you’re grappling with your stomach, think about how it helps you vacuum effortlessly, bend down to pick up your child’s toy, or twist behind your car seat to grab that pesky chapstick you dropped.

If it’s your arms that are bothering you, consider how they make it possible to carry all your groceries, give warm hugs to your loved ones, or throw a ball to your faithful four-legged friend.

2. Dress To Feel Good:

Choosing an outfit that makes you feel good can be a game-changer. Opt for clothing that doesn’t draw unnecessary attention to the body part you’re struggling with. Sometimes, a simple change in attire can significantly improve your self-perception. And if your wardrobe doesn’t currently offer such options, it might be time for a closet cleanout or a little shopping spree to discover clothing that boosts your confidence.

3. Share Your Feelings:

Don’t suffer in silence. Reach out to a friend or family member you trust, and let them know what you’re going through. Talking about your struggles with someone you’re close to can provide a fresh perspective and help you process your emotions. If you don’t have someone you feel comfortable confiding in, feel free to reach out to me – I’m here to lend an empathetic ear.

4. Remember, This Too Shall Pass:

Here’s the good news: A bad body image day doesn’t have to dictate how you feel about yourself. Understand that this negativity isn’t about your body but rather a negative emotion causing discomfort in your body, which you’re associating with your body image. Emotions are like energy in motion; they come and go. Remind yourself that this feeling will pass, just as it always has.

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So, the next time you’re faced with a challenging body image day, try these steps to regain your confidence. By shifting your focus, dressing for success, sharing your feelings, and remembering the transience of emotions, you can keep that sneaky little nail from ruining your otherwise wonderful day.

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Must Read Books To Improve Body Image

Just so you know, I do review everything I recommend. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission.

The Body Is Not An Apology By Sonya Renee Taylor 

The Body Is Not an Apology offers radical self-love as the balm to heal the wounds inflicted by these violent systems. World-renowned activist and poet Sonya Renee Taylor invites us to reconnect with the radical origins of our minds and bodies and celebrate our collective, enduring strength. As we awaken to our own indoctrinated body shame, we feel inspired to awaken others and to interrupt the systems that perpetuate body shame and oppression against all bodies. When we act from this truth on a global scale, we usher in the transformative opportunity of radical self-love, which is the opportunity for a more just, equitable, and compassionate world–for us all.

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat by Aubrey Gordon

Advancing fat justice and changing prejudicial structures and attitudes will require work from all people. What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat is a crucial tool to create a tectonic shift in the way we see, talk about, and treat our bodies, fat and thin alike.

Body Talk by Katie Sturino

With Body Talk, an illustrated guide-meets-workbook, Sturino is here to help you stop obsessing about your body issues, focus on self-love, and free up space in your brain for creative and productive energy. Complete with empowering affirmations, relatable anecdotes, and actionable takeaways, as well as space to answer prompts and jot down feelings and inspirations, Body Talk encourages you to spend less time thinking about how you look and what you eat and more time discovering your inner fierceness.

More Than A Body by Lindsay and Lexie Kite

From media consumption to health and fitness to self-reflection and self-compassion, Lindsay and Lexie share powerful and practical advice that goes beyond “body positivity” to help readers develop body image resilience—all while cutting through the empty promises sold by media, advertisers, and the beauty and weight-loss industries. In the process, they show how facing your feelings of body shame or embarrassment can become a catalyst for personal growth.

The Body Of Truth by Harriet Brown 

The quest for health and wellness has never been more urgent, yet most of us continue to buy into fad diets and unattainable body ideals, unaware of the damage we’re doing to ourselves. Through interviews, research, and her own experience, Brown not only gives us the real story on weight, health, and beauty, but also offers concrete suggestions for how each of us can sort through the lies and misconceptions and make peace with and for ourselves.

Landwhale by Jes Baker

A deeply personal take, Landwhale is a glimpse at life as a fat woman today, but it’s also a reflection of the unforgiving ways our culture still treats fatness, all with Jes’s biting voice as the guide.