Staying positive about yourself can be difficult, especially when it comes to your body — especially during the summer. All the perfect-looking people seem to come out of the woodwork and you wonder if you can ever feel as amazing as they appear to be.

Not to worry! We know what’s it like not to feel your best. We want to help you feel fabulous and celebrate yourself in every way — including your body. Check out these tips for having the most body positive summer possible.

DO make sure to exercise, especially outside!

The summertime is a great time to explore outdoor forms of exercise. Walking, running, hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities are a great way to celebrate your body. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

DON’T stay inside in the air conditioning.

Sure, there will be days when it’s too hot to run or hike — I’m talking about those days when it’s 100 degrees before noon. And that A/C is so very tempting. But those days are even more reason to take advantage of the outdoors when you can! Trust me, you’ll feel better when you get out there.

DO indulge a little!

Some might say “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels.” That’s simply not true. There’s nothing like having an ice cream cone or a popsicle with your friends or family on a hot, summer day, and you should indulge in those treats! If food isn’t your kind of treat, then try getting a massage, or get a cute, new bikini. Do something to treat yourself because you deserve it.

DON’T deprive yourself.

Depriving yourself will get you nowhere. It will not make you happy, not now, not later, not ever.

DO get your friends in your corner.

Make sure you have supportive friends around you this summer. Your friends can make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself. If you have amazing friends who support your choices and encourage you to be yourself, you’re going to feel like a star.

DON’T keep toxic friends in your life.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with cutting people from your life if they don’t give you what you need from a friendship. Summer is a time for refreshing, exploring and loving yourself. Unsupportive friends don’t only stress you out, but they make it harder for you to love yourself. Cut that toxicity out of your life.

DO explore body positive media.

You’re on social media all day anyway, might as well get some inspiration out of it. You would not believe the amount of body positive posts all over Instagram and Tumblr. And body positive TV and movies can inspire you, too! I always feel good after watching Orange Is the New Black because they show that women of all sizes are beautiful and strong.

DON’T read “body positive” magazines.

Magazines are notorious for sending conflicting messages about body image. They might encourage body positivity, but include articles about losing weight or “how to get your best summer body” or other undercutting pieces. No matter how helpful they might seem, you won’t feel good after looking through one of these magazines.

DO get naked — or as close to naked as possible.

Get naked whenever possible! Being naked is unbelievably freeing, especially for someone who might be on the self-conscious side. Try dancing naked, going skinny dipping or spending a whole day naked — you’ll love how good it feels.

DON’T worry about the mirror or the scale.

Your reflection and your weight should not determine how you feel about yourself, naked or otherwise. Nothing should stop you from loving and celebrating your body every chance you get.

DO go shopping!

Don’t blow your rent money or anything, but updating your wardrobe with a few new pieces you’re obsessed with will do wonders for your confidence.

DON’T shy away from clothes that are “for a certain body type.”

Choose comfortable clothes that you enjoy wearing and wear them, regardless of what other people think.

DO create a body positive bucket list.

Make a list of all your non-professional, non-relationship goals, whether it’s wearing a piece of clothing you aren’t sure about or going zip-lining. Think about things you’ve always wanted to do just for you. Promise yourself you’ll achieve those goals. Accomplishing goals — no matter what they are — will make you feel amazing.

DON’T give in to fear.

Don’t let fear stop you from doing something you’ve always dreamed about. Overcoming fear is incredibly rewarding. Feel that fear, then push past it to do all the things on your bucket list to make this the best summer yet.

DO be shameless.

Wear what you want and do what you want. No one can tell you how to live your live. Shaming is not cool and anyone who might shame you for something you wear or do isn’t cool, either.

DON’T let anyone or anything stop you from doing something.

The best thing about being body positive is that you feel empowered to do anything — and that’s because you are. Don’t let anyone stop you from doing you.
Now that you have some body positive tips, go celebrate you and your phenomenal body in every way you can!

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