How do you see yourself? Are there areas of your body that you don’t like? Does this affect how you dress or prevent you from leaving your home? This could be the result of having negative body image. Letting what you think about your body inhibit you from doing the things you like is self-destructive and could spiral out of control in the form of eating disorders.

Here are some tips to help you improve your body image and allow you to love yourself!

1. Listen To Your Body

Eat whenever you’re truly hungry and stop when you feel full. Doing this instead of yo-yo dieting will make it unlikely for you to have a weight problem or an eating disorder. If you find yourself drastically putting on a lot of weight or losing weight with no change to your diet or lifestyle, do see a doctor.

2. Weigh No More

Stop weighing yourself for a month and evaluate how you feel at the end of the month. Keep a daily diary and jot down things that made you feel good about yourself. Read this diary at the end of the month and note the things, little or large that make you feel good. All these things made you happy regardless of whether you think you’re apple or banana-shaped.

3. New Thought Patterns

Write a list of 10 things that you like about yourself which are not related to your weight or your looks. Stick this list next to your mirror so whenever you look at yourself, you see this list which reminds you how awesome your body is.

Appreciate all the things that your body can do such as running, dancing and singing. After that, do the things you appreciate. Go running, dancing and sing your heart out. Even better, do it with a friend who may also be struggling with their body image.

4. Treat Yourself!

Date yourself and go on a day of indulgence. Have that slice of cake you’ve been staring at, get a mani pedi, go for a massage… anything that makes you feel good. If you want to laze around at home, that’s perfectly fine as well.

Beauty is only skin deep and is a state of mind, not what you look like. If you feel like you’re still finding it difficult to love yourself and have thought of self-harm or have drastically changed your eating habits, do talk to a psychiatrist who will be able to help you through your fears and doubts.