By Karin Silvina Hiebaum

Have you ever wished you could change something about your body? If your answer is yes, you are not alone. Many people are unhappy with some part of their physical appearance. If you are obsessed with what you are uncomfortable with about your physical appearance, your self-esteem could take a very bad turn.

You don’t have to have a perfect body to have a good body image. If you like your body the way it is right now, your body image will be enhanced. And your self-esteem too.

But what if I need to get fit? There are people who believe: “If I get fit, I will like my body.” But it’s better to start the other way around. First, accept your body. Find things you like about it. Take good care of your body. When you like your body, it’s easier to treat it well.

Do you want to feel and look better? Here are some tips:

Accept your body

Nobody is perfect. But everyone likes to accept it as it is. This applies to any type of body. See your body as it is. Be less critical of it. Look at it with good eyes.

Don’t be ashamed of your own body. When you make harsh comments about your body, you damage your own self-esteem. This is true whether you say it to yourself or whether you say it out loud. It hurts you as much as if someone else said it to you. Be kind to yourself. Respect yourself, even if there are some things you should work on.

Develop a more positive habit. Do you have a habit of despising your body? To break this bad habit, replace it with another one that is positive. Talk to yourself about what you like about your body instead of what you don’t like. Keep doing it until it becomes a habit.

Appreciate your body

Find things you like about your appearance. Maybe you like your hair, your face or your hands. And what do you tell me about your waist, your shoulders and your legs? About your eyes and your smile? Tell yourself what you like and why. If you can’t think of a part of your body that you like, think about what your good friends say about your appearance. Accept what they tell you. Remember that there are many things you like. Make yourself feel good.

Focus on what is GOOD for your body. There are many more things in your body than how it looks. When you play a sport, walk, dance, swim, you keep your body in full action. Your body is also there when you stretch, reach something, climb or jump while you enjoy. When you transport things, you build things and also when you give someone else a hug. Surprise yourself with how much your body gives you. And be grateful.

Become aware of your body. Don’t ignore your body throughout the day. Learn to breathe slowly and calmly as you move and stretch. Learn to recognize when your body needs nourishment or rest. Enjoy the way your body feels as you walk, run and play.

Take good care of your body

Eat healthy foods. Learn what foods are good for you and the right amount to eat. Take your time to eat. Savor food carefully. Enjoy it. Eating well helps you look your best. It gives you the energy you need. And boosts your body image. When you treat your own body well, you will feel good about yourself.

Get enough sleep and find out how many hours of sleep you need for your age. Get to bed early.