Love yourself for all that you are
away a positive picture. It is your perception of reality that may be damaging your confidence level and your view is not necessarily reality. Learning to love yourself is the best beauty tip of all. As Audrey Hepburn so elegantly said: ‘‘For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.’’
Unfortunately, many women take care of their homes, pets, partners, children and essentially everyone around them at the expense of caring for their own bodies and even their own health.
Practise self-love daily in whatever way you are drawn to: read a book you love, make yourself a nourishing smoothie, walk with a friend, simply stand outside on the grass with the sun on your face, write in your journal or draw/paint/sew. Looking after your creativity can be as essential for your self-esteem as looking after your physical body.
Comparison is exhausting
With the popularity and prevalence of social media, too many people are exhausting themselves with comparisons. Spending energy on trying to be something that you’re not, or fighting day in and out for someone else’s approval is a surefire way to deplete self-esteem.
If you struggle with insecurity, it may be because you are comparing your behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel. Really think about that.
Change your body language
This is not an anatomical conversation about posture, but simply to point out that how you hold yourself impacts the way you feel about yourself and your energy. Try it. Slump your shoulders. Let your head hang forward, face down. Stay like that, walk around like that for a few minutes. Do you feel confident and energised?
Now pull your shoulders back, hold your head up, stand upright and face forward. Spend a few minutes like that. Which posture offers you more energy? The upright posture, of course. Become so conscious of how you hold yourself. Stand up tall and lose the weight of the world off your shoulders.
Dr Libby is a nutritional biochemist, best-selling author and speaker. The advice contained in this column is not intended to be a substitute for direct, personalised advice from a health professional. Visit drlibby.com.