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According to a recent study, approximately “59% of Americans aren’t comfortable in their skin.” Furthermore, low-self esteem is not a problem attached to any particular age group or demographic – it’s something that can impact us throughout our lives – especially when it comes to our appearance.
However, you deserve to feel good about how you look – to step away from the mirror with a smile instead of a scowl. Furthermore, while this may seem like an impossible task – there are actually plenty of steps you can follow to fall in love with your reflection!
1: Shake Off Unrealistic Beauty Standards.
Feeling as though we must abide by ‘beauty standards’ is one of the biggest confidence killers around. In fact, “nearly a third of 16 to 24-year-olds feel their body and face aren’t attractive in comparison to what they see online.”
This mindset is easy to fall into. After all, each time we open social media, we’re inundated with (often edited) photographs of people looking their best – and when you’re sitting scrolling in your pyjamas, it’s easy to feel as though you don’t measure up to these standards.
However, it’s important to remember that each and every person is beautiful in their own way. You don’t have to look like the latest influencer in order to be worthy, loved, or to love yourself. You’re perfect as you are. While it may be hard to shake off the negative impacts of beauty standards, the more you begin to challenge them, the easier it will be.
2: Indulge in beauty treatments.
Beauty treatmentslaser hair removal services
Furthermore, treatments such as hair removal services can leave you feeling more comfortable in your own skin. This is because they leave you with smoother skin, so you no longer have to worry about shaving.
Laser hair removal used to only be done in salons or clinics, but now there are many at-home devices you can use. These best at-home laser hair removal devices are convenient and save money, giving you salon-quality results at home. They work for different areas, like your upper lip or legs, and suit various skin types, making them a great option for long-term hair removal.
By paying for beauty treatments on a regular basis, you’ll also begin to curate a self-care routine that is tailored around your needs. As self-care can improve your mental state, this can be another avenue toward becoming a more confident person – the kind of person who ensures their needs are always addressed.
3: Get more sleep.
There’s a reason why sleep is sometimes referred to as ‘beauty’ sleep. For example, getting enough sleep each night, as opposed to spending hours tossing and turning, can help prevent premature aging of your skin. This is because our body makes “new collagen when you sleep, which prevents sagging” and the formation of wrinkles.
Fortunately, there are many ways in which you can go about improving your sleeping habits. Keeping a regular schedule is particularly beneficial, as it ‘tricks’ your mind into feeling sleepy at the same time each evening. However, you should also avoid drinking caffeinated beverages in the late afternoon and evening, as they serve as stimulants. On a similar note, you should also avoid using your phone for at least an hour before you go to sleep.
4: Change up your look.
If you’re looking for an excuse to change up your look, you’ve come to the right place. Making conscious changes, especially those that allow you to express yourself more freely, are some of the most effective ways to change how you feel about your appearance for the better.
For example, instead of wearing clothes that are trendy, start shopping for yourself and your unique tastes. This means that you’re bound to smile every time you look in the mirror, but could also mean that you carry yourself with greater confidence when you wear clothes you truly love or feel comfortable in.
A good haircut can also be a welcome change, especially if you chose a style or cut that suits your face shape and complements your features.
5: Exercise more often.
We’re all guilty of letting exercise and working out fall to the bottom of our to-do list. After all, sometimes the last thing you want to do after a busy day at work is head to the gym. However, the benefits of consistent exercise cannot be ignored, especially when it comes to boosting your self-esteem and confidence, which means it’s time to find a way to motivate yourself to work out when you are exhausted.
When we exercise, our body’s production of endorphins is boosted considerably – and “studies have shown endorphins can increase levels of confidence, leading to better self-esteem.” They’re also associated with lower levels of stress and anxiety – which are often associated with confidence struggles.
Exercising more regularly is also a great way to improve your relationship with your body. After all, it’s a great way to better manage your weight, build muscle or simply improve upon your day-to-day energy levels. It can also show you how much your body is capable of doing, which can leave you feeling more confident as a result.
6: Remember that Social Media is not ‘Real’.
There are many benefits associated with the use of social media in our daily lives – it can be a great way to connect with distant friends or family, and can also be used to put small businesses on the map. However, it also created a space where we are encouraged to compare ourselves to others each time we scroll. The more we do this, the more we chip away at our own self-esteem as we question why we don’t look a certain way, or why we have not achieved the same goals as those we follow.
If you find yourself guilty of this habit, try to remember that social media is not a reflection of real life. We only post pictures where we look our best – and we only pull out our camera when we’re doing something interesting. Whatsmore,
71% of people admit to editing their selfies.
You may also find it useful to start limiting the amount of time you spend online, as this can be a great way to free yourself from the vicious cycle of scrolling and comparing. Alternatively, you should ensure that you are more intentional with who you follow on Instagram. Focus on the accounts that leave you feeling empowered or positive – and not those that make you feel bad about yourself.
To put it simply, it’s okay to hit that unfollow button.
7: Pay yourself compliments.
While you may be used to compelenting others, many people have a hard time treating themselves with the same level of kindness. However, paying yourself compliments – as opposed to openly critizing yourself – can actually be a great way to boost your confidence, even if you don’t necessarily believe what you are saying right away.
To get started, stand in front of the mirror each morning and complement yourself out loud. For example, you could complement your complexion, your eyes, your hair – anything! The more you get into the practice of doing this, the more positive you will become.
Final Thoughts.
If you’re looking to fall in love with your reflection, the above steps are a great place to kickstart your journey of self-love. However, above all, it’s important that you learn to love yourself exactly as you are. Your unique qualities are what make you who you are, and you should not have to hide them away. Instead, you should embrace them!
The more you accept yourself for who you are, the easier it will be to love the skin you’re in.
