Introduction
Do you ever have those days when your pants are too tight, nothing fits right, your hair/makeup isn’t working, and you’re just uncomfortable in your skin no matter what you do?
We’ve all been there, and it really sucks.
But what if I told you there might be a way to stop those negative thoughts?
Positive body affirmations are a great way to boost your confidence within minutes and improve your body image.
This article will cover what positive body affirmations are, how they work, and the 25 best body positive affirmations to boost your confidence starting today.
Let’s get started!
What is a Body Affirmation?
Body affirmations are phrases you think or say out loud a few times to build yourself up. You may hear the term mantra thrown around – that is another term for affirmation.
Repeating positive affirmations for body image can help you stop your negative thoughts and start believing positive things about your body instead.
Affirmations are not a magic cure, though, and they may not work for everyone.
Do Positive Affirmations Help Body Image?
Research has shown that repeating affirmations to yourself can “rewire” your brain into believing what you’re saying.
Some studies show that positive affirmations improve body image and satisfaction, may reduce anxiety and depression, and may improve self-compassion.
It’s important to note that more research is needed on affirmations and if they may have negative effects on body image and self esteem, especially for those really struggling with low self-esteem.
Positive body affirmations are just one tool to help improve body image, and they may not be right for everyone. If you or someone you know is struggling with self doubt or low self-esteem, it may be time to talk with a mental health professional.
Different Types of Body Affirmations
Not all affirmations about your body are the same. Some affirmations focus on positivity, some focus on being grateful about your body, some focus on what your body can do, and others focus on respecting your body.
The affirmations listed below mostly focus on positive thoughts about your body.
20 of the Best Positive Body Affirmations for Better Body Image
- My body is perfect the way it is.
- I am that girl.
- I love my body no matter what.
- My body is worthy no matter its shape and size.
- I deserve to take up space.
- I am proud of what my body can do.
- I deserve to feel good about my body.
- My opinion of my body is the only one that counts.
- No one has the power to make me feel bad about my body.
- Every part of my body is beautiful.
- I deserve self-love, self-care, and self-acceptance.
- My body is a masterpiece.
- I radiate confidence.
- My body deserves love and respect for everything it does for me.
- I am beautiful just the way I am.
- My body is a gift.
- My body is a vessel for my awesomeness.
- The only one who needs to love my body is me.
- My body is unique and that’s what makes it beautiful.
- My body is not meant to fit into clothes, clothes are meant to fit onto my body.
You can practice body affirmations by repeating one of the phrases out loud or in your head. You may want to focus on one or two phrases for a few days before moving to others.
Is Body Positivity Good or Bad?
In order to truly answer this question, one should understand the origins of body positivity. It started as a movement in the 1960s to promote acceptance and love of your body no matter the body size, shape, color, gender, or ability.
The body positivity movement aims to promote bodies that don’t fit in with the thin, lean bodies that our culture promotes in movies, tv, magazines, and social media.
While the movement had/has good intentions, some people criticize it for being forced and unrealistically positive. Others criticize it for only benefiting straight, able-bodied white women and excluding everyone else who does not meet this criteria.
Another large criticism of body positivity is that it promotes larger, unhealthy bodies… but this criticism is flawed because your health is much more complex than how thin you are.
As a registered dietitian, I see both pros and cons to body positivity. I think if the affirmations boost your confidence and help you foster a positive body image, then you should definitely keep this tool in your tool box.
On the other hand, if positive body affirmations make you feel worse about yourself or don’t feel natural, then I don’t think it’s right for you and may even be something for you to avoid.
Avoiding Toxic Positivity
Have you ever heard of toxic positivity? It’s a term to describe when something might be so overly positive that it is unrealistic or invalidates a real concern.
You’re probably not going to feel 100% confident about your body 100% of the time, and positive body affirmations may not be right for you in those moments.
If body positivity feels inauthentic or cringy, then body neutrality might be a better fit for you.
Try Body Neutrality if Body Positivity Doesn’t Feel Quite Right
You may feel phony or weird repeating something to yourself that doesn’t feel quite right or true for you… and that’s okay. Positive body affirmations are not for everyone.
Instead of trying to convince yourself to love your body, body neutrality focuses on respecting your body.
Body Neutral Affirmations
Here are a few examples of body neutral affirmations:
- My worth has nothing to do with my weight
- My body works hard and deserves kindness
- I accept my body the way it is
- I am proud of what my body has done for me
- My body may change but my worth does not
Does body neutrality sound like a better fit for you? If so, check out my article on the Top 20 Body Neutral Affirmations.
Conclusion
Positive body image affirmations are phrases you think or repeat to yourself that focus on positive thoughts about your body.
Affirmations work by reducing negative thoughts and “rewiring” your brain to believe the positive phrase you are repeating to yourself.
Positive body affirmations are a great tool to help improve self-esteem and body image, but they may not be right for everyone.
If body positivity doesn’t feel quite right to you, don’t give up! Check out my article on body neutrality, which may be a better fit for you.