How To Fall In Love With Your Reflection
You deserve to feel good about yourself and your appearance every single day.
Despite this, a recent study found that an alarming 8 out of 10 women are dissatisfied with their reflection. Not only could this harm your self-confidence, but the way in which you navigate certain situations in your life. For example, you may be less likely to put yourself out there on the dating scene.
With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to fall in love with your reflection.
Pay yourself compliments
While you may be used to complementing those around you or leaving positive comments on your friend’s Instagram photos, it’s likely that you do not show yourself the same level of grace and support. However, when you begin to compliment yourself – either out loud or in your head – you can train your brain to begin to think more positively, not only about your appearance but other aspects of your life too. Furthermore, studies have found that paying yourself compliments is just as effective in boosting our mood and confidence as receiving them from others.
Pamper yourself
The act of pampering yourself, whether you buy a hair mask used for treating color damaged hair or use your favorite face mask, can also be a great way to boost your confidence. This is because investing in your beauty regimen or in making yourself look and feel good can actually boost your body’s production of “’happy’ hormones, oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin.” As a result, it can also be a great way to combat stress and anxiety.
However, instead of viewing this act of self-care as a one-off treat, it’s important that you begin to consider it part of your weekly routine. After all, you deserve to
feel this positively about yourself consistently rather than every few months.
Exercise
Often, the reason why we do not like to look in the mirror is that we are unhappy with how our body looks. While this is likely the product of unrealistic body standards, you can gradually (and safely) improve your relationship with your body and better manage your weight, by finding a way to get back into fitness.
Furthermore, some studies have found that exercise is good for your confidence because “the success of creating an exercise routine and sticking to it brings you a sense of achievement.” This will encourage you to think more favorably of yourself as a whole.
Challenge negative thoughts
We are often our own worst enemies when it comes to tearing down our confidence. However, instead of letting the negative thoughts win, it’s important we ask where they are coming from. For example, if you’re feeling negative about your weight, ask yourself why. Is it because you’re comparing yourself to others you see on social media? Is it because you’ve internalized a lot of negative beauty standards? If so, try to reframe the way you are thinking about your body. Think about everything it has carried you through or how it helps you to achieve your dreams.
Take a social media break
Taking a break from social media is often associated with increased feelings of confidence, wellness, and satisfaction, alongside a reduction in stress and anxiety. As a result, this could be the perfect way to begin to fall in love with your reflection all over again. There are many reasons for this. Firstly, it stops you from comparing yourself to others, such as celebrities, whenever a picture is posted. While you already know that these photos are often carefully curated (and edited), this does not grind comparison to a halt but avoiding looking at them all together does.
Furthermore, taking a break from social media also allows you to live a little more freely. You have more time to practice self-care and self-love and don’t have to worry about how you look at any given moment. As a result, you will begin to feel more confident naturally.
Love the skin you’re in
Learning to embrace your unique beauty is another great way to ensure that you fall in love with your reflection. This is because it will stop you from perceiving the things that make you different from others as ‘flaws’, but rather as things that make you are – things that should be celebrated. While this may be difficult, start by incorporating these quirks into your morning affirmations. For example, you should stand in front of the mirror each morning and say, “I love my nose”, “I love my lips” and so on, until it becomes a part of your routine.
The post How To Fall In Love With Your Reflection appeared first on Jennifer Gilmour.
