Summer is right around the corner, but for many Australian women the season is rife with stress and it’s all to do with body image.
It’s the season of the “beach body”, diet ads and comments from well-meaning family members who have yet to learn that it’s rude to comment on other people’s figures.
That’s why it’s so important to check in with yourself as the warmer weather approaches and take stock of your own body confidence, boosting it for the season ahead.
After all, summer should be about surf, sand and sipping cocktails by the beach, not hiding away or covering up because beauty standards say so.
Here are four simple ways to boost your body confidence before summer hits.
Check in with yourself
It’s easy to be influenced by diet culture and unrealistic beauty standards without even realising it, so the first step should always be to check in with your own sense of body confidence.
Summer and swimwear can bring up dormant insecurities around body parts that stay hidden away in winter, but we don’t have to give into those negative feelings.
Take some time to consider how you feel about your own body and break down what’s causing any insecurities you may currently be feeling.
Is it because you’re comparing yourself to models in the media? Is it because of a cruel comment that stuck with you?
Remember there’s no “wrong way” to have a body and you don’t have to let unattainable beauty standards dictate your self-worth.
Try following body positive creators like Remi Bader.
(Image: Instagram)Curate your social media feed
Studies have shown that millions of women suffer from low self-esteem because of the flood of photos of “perfect” bodies they constantly see on social media.
This only gets worse in summer when everyone is posting snaps from the beach, so curate your feed ahead of time to spread positivity instead.
Try following body positive creators like Remi Bader, Dani Adriana or even Married At First Sight’s Jules Robinson for positive role models.
You should also unfollow or block accounts that make you feel insecure or down on yourself – remember, comparison is the thief of joy!
WATCH: Body positive influencer Ariella Nyssa shows off her honest body
Set boundaries
In recent years we’ve come to accept that it’s never okay to comment on someone else’s body, but some people are stil learning when to bite their tongues.
Set boundaries with family and friends when it comes to the comments and topics you’re comfortable with and don’t be afraid to outlaw things like “diet talk”.
“If someone is making comments about your body… think about a statement to shut that down,” Danni Rowlands, National Manager Prevention Services at The Butterfly Foundation, told Now To Love.
It’s also a good idea to set boundaries with yourself, like banning negative self-talk.
Married At First Sight’s Jules Robinson is a great body positive role model.
(Image: Instagram)Get involved
The body positivity movement has come a long way in recent years and there’s never been a better time to get on board through events like BODfest.
A one-day celebration of body positivity powered by Australia’s most loved magazine brands with presenting partner OGX® Haircare, it’s the ultimate day out for women who want to invest in body confidence and self-love.
The mini festival on October 8 will feature a host of international and Australian personalities talking all things body love, sex, mental health, parenting, wellness, and inclusive beauty and fashion.
Jules Robinson, Maria Thattil and even Emily Ratajkowski will be there (although Emily is just a virtual guest) and will be sharing their own tips and experiences too.
Get the girls together or go solo and make this your summer of body confidence.
BODfest will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Paddington Town Hall, Sydney or on-demand from anywhere in Australia! Tickets are priced from $19.95 – $49.95. Learn more here.
Get involved with events like BODfest.
(Image: Supplied)
