Your body is not a project; learn to appreciate its strength and beauty in every form.

In an era of carefully curated social media feeds and the pervasive use of filters, maintaining a positive body image can feel like an uphill battle. The constant barrage of "perfect" bodies and faces on our screens has left many of us feeling inadequate and struggling with self-esteem. It’s essential that we continue to challenge these unrealistic standards and learn to love ourselves authentically.

Social media often presents a highly edited version of reality, which creates a distorted view of what bodies should look like. It's important to understand that many images are heavily filtered or photoshopped, and both models and influencers frequently use specific poses and lighting to appear "perfect." Moreover, what we see online rarely reflects the diversity of authentic bodies.

First Steps:

• Unfollow accounts that make you feel rubbish about yourself
• Educate yourself on common photo editing techniques to spot manipulated images
• Remember that even celebrities and models don't look like their photos in real life

Learning to love your body is a journey rather than a destination, and it requires consistent effort and a shift in mindset. It is important to focus on what your body can do, rather than just how it looks. Additionally, you should speak to yourself with kindness and compassion, and take the time to celebrate your unique features and quirks.

Try This:

• Start a "body gratitude" journal, noting things your body does for you each day
• Stand in front of a mirror and say three positive things about your appearance
• Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident, regardless of size or trends

We can all play a part in creating a more body-positive world by following diverse body-positive accounts on social media, sharing unfiltered and authentic content of ourselves, and challenging beauty standards within our own social circles.

Be the Change:

• Post a makeup-free selfie or a photo in your comfy clothes
• Compliment others on their character and achievements, not just their appearance
• Speak up when you hear body-shaming comments, even if they're disguised as "jokes"

It is impossible to discuss body image without addressing the pervasive influence of diet culture. We must recognise that health comes in all sizes and understand that diets often lead to yo-yo weight cycles and poor mental health. Instead of focusing on restrictions, we should prioritise nourishing our bodies.

Exercise should not be seen as punishment for what you eat or as a way to "earn" food. Instead, it is important to find forms of movement that you genuinely enjoy and to focus on how exercise makes you feel rather than how it makes you look. Additionally, we should celebrate what our bodies can do, rather than trying to change our appearance.

Ideas to Try:

• Dance like no one's watching (even if they are!)
• Try a new sport or activity you've always been curious about
• Set performance-based goals (like running a 5K) rather than aesthetic ones

Remember, your worth is not determined by your appearance. By fostering self-love and challenging unrealistic standards, we can create a more inclusive and accepting world for all body types. It's a challenging journey, but one that's incredibly rewarding. You deserve to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin, just as you are.