7. Pamper yourself | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Ways To Appreciate Your Body This Summer

Here are just a few ways to appreciate your body, no matter what it looks like.

145
10 Ways To Appreciate Your Body This Summer

Summer: a time that some love and some dread. Summer is a time for some to "show off" the body they've been working hard for. For others, summer is a time to try to cover up even more. All of our bodies are different and all of our bodies should be celebrated during all seasons. Here are some ways that have helped me appreciate my body when I'm feeling low.

1. Swap your clothes

Go ahead pick out what you love.

Giphy

It's important to buy clothes that YOU like and clothes that make YOU feel confident. It's your body, dress it the way you want! Stores like Plato's Closet and Clothes Mentor will give you money for your gently used clothes, but you can always donate your old clothes to places like Goodwill and Savers.

2. Surround yourself with people who love and accept you and your body

Nothing is better than friends who love you just as you are.

Giphy

No body is perfect. Literally. With the constant bombardment of the "perfect body" from all sorts of social media platforms, it's important to surround yourself with people who don't expect you to look unrealistic. But more importantly, it's crucial to surround yourself with people who love and accept you for who you are!

3. Paint it

Grab your favorite colors and celebrate your body!

Giphy

That's right. Paint it. Or have your friend paint it! If you're struggling with body image, or finding a way to appreciate your body as it is, paint something you love on it.

4. Unfollow people who promote unrealistic body types

No one is perfect okay?

Giphy

Or just unfollow people you find yourself constantly comparing your body to. There's nothing better than feeling confidence in your own self and your own body, once you've scrolled through your social media platforms. If one of the first things you feel when you look on social media is jealousy, that's probably a good time to look at who you're following and start adjusting that appropriately.

5. Do a photoshoot

Enjoy yourself and your photos.

Giphy

Put on you're favorite outfit, grab a friend (or two) and take some pictures! Relax, have fun, be yourself and enjoy how much your body does for you.

6. Make a list of why you appreciate your body

Take some time to really think about all that your body does for you. Your list doesn't have to be as long as Santa's.

Giphy

Every body is different; every body is unique. On days when you're feeling good, make a list of all the reasons you appreciate your body or a list of why you're grateful for it. The beauty of lists is that you can always add to them, and, on days when you're struggling to love your body, you can refer back to the list.

7. Pamper yourself

Everyone deserves a little time to be pampered.

Giphy

Give yourself a break, you're doing a lot! Go to the spa and get a massage, paint your nails, take a bath, do some yoga, tune into your body and give it what it needs.

8. Accept that you're human

You're not perfect, and that's okay!

Giphy

We are human, which means our bodies are not perfect. As human beings, we have scars, stretch marks, wrinkles, moles, freckles...the list goes on and on. Our bodies are so much more than just physical appearance! Think of all the things your body is capable of. It digests your food, keeps your heart beating and breathes for you without you even having to think about it!

9. Try not to compare your body to others

Easier said than done, right?

Giphy

I say try not to because in today's world this is much easier said than done. We're all given a body, and your body is just as amazing as the one you're comparing it to, even if they look different. A peacock looks different than a flamingo, but they're both beautiful, right?

10. Know that you are not just your body

What you look like does not determine how good of a person you are. Now that's something to be giddy about!

Giphy

Of course we all have bodies, but there is so much more to us than our physiques. Loving and accepting your body the way it is in today's world is much harder than one would think. So, on days when you're feeling really low and just can't seem to find anything you like about your body, remember that you're not just your body. Beauty is defined by the way you live, not just the way you look.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

442158
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

15618
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41053
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

20946
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321334
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments