βComparison is the thief of joyβ is a quote that has most often been attributed to both Christian writer Dwight Edwards and President Theodore Roosevelt. No matter who said it, the statement is true.
When you compare yourself to others, it makes you unhappy.Β Itβs tempting to compare ourselves in so many different waysβthe shape of your body, weight, grades, and popularity.Β You name itβthe list can go on and on.
Here are some tips to help you feel more Body Confident!
- Be Conscious.Β Just realizing you are doing it can help you stop it.Β Sometimes we are comparing ourselves to others without even really realizing it. We feel blue, and donβt even realize why.Β Then, try grounding yourself.Β Place your hand on your heart.Β Feel your heartbeat.Β Or, look in the mirror.Β Your heartbeat is something that is unique to you.Β Β Β
- Challenge the Direction.Β With comparison, we often look at people upwardlyΒ to people of greater status orΒ downwardly to people less well off than themselves/better. When your mind wants to force you to look up or down, instead, look across.Β Remind yourself that, βI amΒ different, not better or worse.βΒ Remember the saying, βapples and orangesββ they are both fruit but very different from one anotherβtotally unfair to compare. Differences make the world unique and interesting. Imagine a world with clones of each other walking around looking exactly the sameβboring!Β The image could make you laugh a little!
- Be realistic. If you are getting the body image blues from scrolling social media remind yourself that these images are curatedβcarefully picked, filtered, or even chosen from a dozen.Β
- Limit Your Time.Β Because social media can be damaging to your mental and physical health, give yourself a time limit to be on social media. Itβs easy to compare yourself while scrolling through peopleβs pictures.Β Β Remember that these pictures only show you what people want you to see.
- Stand Tall.Β Before you leave the house, stand in a superwoman pose for 3 minutesβwhich has been clinically shown to improve your confidence level.
- Unfollow:Β Itβs perfectly fine to unfollow someone who is a detriment to your body image. Simply unfollow or hide them on your feed so the images arenβt constantly popping up.Β
- Change Your Viewpoint:Β If you notice your eyes evaluating how someone looks in their skinny jeans, refocus on something neutral in the room.Β A piece of artwork, a different person. You control what you see and think about.
- Compare To Yourself:Β You grow and change each day.Β Try to be the best version of you.Β
- Comfort is key.Β Squeezing into uncomfortable clothing will make you more conscious of your own body and others in a negative way. Β
- Save the competition for your sporting events.Β Instead of competing with others, appreciate and compliment others.Β Β Appreciate more, compete less.Β
Originally posted onΒ www.eatingmindfully.com
Susan Albers,Β Psy.D.
Susan Albers,Β Psy.D., is a New York Times best-selling author and a clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic who specializes in eating issues, weight loss, body image concerns, and mindfulness. After obtaining a master’s and doctorate degree from the University of Denver, Dr. Albers completed an APA internship at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, and a post-doctoral fellowship at Stanford University in California. Dr. Albers conducts mindful eating workshops across the country.
Dr. Albers is the author of six mindful eating books including EatQ, 50 Ways to Soothe Yourself Without Food, Eating Mindfully, Eat, Drink, and Be Mindful and Mindful Eating 101. Her work has been featured in O, the Oprah Magazine, Family Circle, Shape, Prevention Magazine, Self, Health, Fitness Magazine, Vanity Fair, Natural Health, the Wall Street Journal, and was on Dr. Oz. Susan is a contributor to the Huffington Post and Psychology Today.
Dr. Albers is frequently quoted in popular magazines, newspapers, and on T.V. She frequently makes media appearances on T.V and in magazines. Book her for a talk at your organization, book club, or conference.
I Believe In:
No Judgments
No Fad Dieting
Eating the Foods You LoveβMindfully
Being In-The-Moment
Savoring Life
Compassion
To learn more about Dr. Albers, visit her website atΒ eatingmindfully.com
To connect with Dr. Albers, you can find herΒ on:
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