9 Ways to Make Peace With That One Body Part You Hate.

It doesn’t matter what we look like, our body always tends to be a work in progress. For some of us, it’s our nose or our arms, for others it’s that extra few kilograms on our lower abdomen. Whatever it is that we are struggling to change, more often than not, it feels like we are at war with our own body and trying to force it to submit to our perception of beauty. 

Just stop for a minute, and imagine how happy your life would be if you accepted your body, imperfections and all, and celebrated yourself for the unique individual that you are! Think of how much mental space you would free up, how much stress you could avoid. Our genes usually define the way we look, making our features and body proportions unique and different from anyone else. Why then do we feel the constant need to compare ourselves to the impossible standards of beauty that we see on television and social media, and in magazines and advertisements? We also tend to ignore the fact that most of these people are actors and models, whose profession demands staying in perfect shape, many of whom have undergone countless invasive procedures and surgeries to look this way. And, are we forgetting the magic of beauty filters and Photoshop, which can transform any part of you to look flawless in a click of a mouse? 

 

A study done by Amy Noser and Virgil Zeigler-Hill of Oakland University in Michigan (2014) set to find out whether women who were most likely to objectify their bodies would, in turn, be most likely to show a positive association between appearance-contingent self-worth (thinking that appearance is important) and appearance self-esteem (feeling satisfied with one’s body). The findings support the overall predictions of the study, however, showing that women who are very conscious of their body’s appearance, including its culturally-defined defects, will be most likely to suffer ill effects on their self-esteem from defining themselves in terms of their appearance. How then, can we make our peace with the way we look and lead a happier life? Here are  nine different ways in which we can take the pressure off our looks, and fall in love with ourselves all over again.

 

1. Throw away your conventional, media-defined ideals of beauty. You’re not going to change society’s definition of beauty, but you can change your own. Don’t focus on the beauty you see in ads and on television. Instead, pay more attention to the beauty you see in the real-life people you admire.

 

2. Define yourself in ways other than how you look. Make your self-esteem more contingent on your inner, not outer qualities. Focus on what you like about your abilities, your personality and your relationships and work to improve those in a positive way.

 

3. Try not to feel low or freak out on days you do not look your best.  If you are having a bad hair day, a breakout or feeling bloated, try and breathe. More often then not, the only person who notices these things is you. The anxiety you feel about how you look can take an actual toll on your looks, and make you feel dull, haggard and less than your best and lead to a cycle of negativity and self-deprecation.

 

4. Smile. Smiling can actually put you in a better mood and make you look more attractive, helping you have a more glowing, attractive and pleasant appearance.

 

5. Wear clothing that’s comfortable and flattering.  Instead of focusing on fashion trends and styles, choose clothes that are flattering to your body type and bring out the best in you, while making you feel attractive and at ease.

 

6. Take a break from the mirror. Don’t break your mirrors, but take a brief respite from constantly checking them. Avoid peering at yourself in the rearview mirror or the store window as you pass by, as well. Instead, focus on how you feel inside.

 

7. Focus on keeping healthy. Being concerned about your body’s shape because of how you look isn’t beneficial to your overall well-being. Eat well and stick to a workout routine that keeps you healthy and fit.

 

8. Talk to those who love you.You may think your nose is huge and your freckles are a disaster, but those who care about you may find the very features the most endearing. If you’re feeling that you “look funny” or “fat” today, ask your nearest and dearest. They may, surprisingly, support the idea that you don’t need makeup or shape wear to look like the person they love.

 

9. Take your aging in stride. Constantly comparing yourself unfavorably to people who are years, if not decades, younger will inevitably detract from your self-esteem. Even comparing yourself to Hollywood figures who are the same age as you can lead to frustration. Most of us can’t afford the luxury of frequent facials and spa treatments, much less plastic surgery.