Maybe you’ve spent your entire life off-grid, oblivious to the pressure, judgment, and comparisons people in the outside world face every day. 

But unless someone folded a printout of this article into a tidy paper airplane and sailed it through the window of your rustic forest cabin, you’re probably no stranger to the internet. And that means you’re familiar with the many external forces that make people question their beauty and self-worth.

It’s the heavily filtered influencers on Instagram. It’s the body-checking content creators on your TikTok FYP. And it’s the TV shows, glossy magazines, and even mainstream porn that dictate which body types and facial features are currently in vogue.

Figuring out how to love your body — as a woman especially, but for people of every gender — may feel like an uphill battle. But with some positive body affirmations in your toolkit, you can start rebuilding your self-esteem and realize just how gorgeous you are, as you are.

Why is a positive body image so important?

It might feel like no big deal when you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see. After all, body dissatisfaction affects 45 million Americans. Feeling insecure is normal.

But a negative body image can be more damaging than you think. Here’s a quick look at a few ways disliking your body can affect your life.

• It could harm your mental health: Depression, anxiety, and self-isolation are some of the most common risk factors associated with poor body image. 

• It could impair your physical health: A poor body image can lead to disordered eating, including over-eating, restrictive eating, and bingeing. And since mental health issues can also impact your physical health, you may feel the psychological effects of a negative body image as low energy or a bad appetite.

• It could have social consequences: Anxiety and self-consciousness can make you less willing and able to seek out and maintain meaningful relationships. If your self-esteem is low enough, you may even have trouble pursuing your professional goals. And self-isolation can make the problem even worse.

Cultivating a healthy body image can change your attitude toward food and exercise and positively impact your physical and mental health. And when it comes down to it, truly loving yourself is empowering. Feeling good about the way you look can give you the confidence to pursue the passions, dreams, and relationships that bring you the joy and fulfillment you deserve.

50 affirmations for a body image boost

Feeling good about your body doesn’t mean you’re vain or self-absorbed. It’s recognizing that your appearance doesn’t dictate your self-worth — and that you’re beautiful despite all the pressures that might tell you otherwise. 

But suffering from a poor self-image isn’t something you can change overnight. And if you’re really struggling, you may want to reach out to a therapist or mental health professional for help achieving body neutrality, which is just what it sounds like — a view of your body that's free from negativity without the work of consciously practicing self-love.

To start, one step you can take on your own is to work positive mantras into your daily routine. Think about what you want to believe about your body, even if you don’t think it’s true today. Memorize your favorite affirmations, or write them on sticky notes for your mirrors, refrigerator, and anywhere else you’re likely to see them when your mood needs a boost. Then repeat them every day, even if the whole process makes you feel silly. Science says affirmations really work!

You can come up with your own positive affirmations, but we’ve put together a list of our 50 favorites to help put you on the path to body positivity. 

1. My body is a temple, and I treat it with love and respect.

2. I am thankful for all the amazing things my body allows me to do.

3. Every inch of my body is beautiful just the way it is.

4. I love and respect my body just as it is today.

5. I am worthy of love and respect, regardless of my size or shape.

6. My body is a vessel of strength and resilience.

7. I honor my body's unique shape and size.

8. I am more than my physical appearance.

9. I cherish the skin I’m in.

10. I accept myself just as I am.

11. My body deserves love, respect, and care.

12. I listen to my body and give it what it needs.

13. No one else’s standards can define my body's value.

14. I am radiant, inside and out.

15. Every cell in my body is healthy and vibrant.

16. My body is my home, and I am comfortable living in it.

17. I am beautiful exactly as I am right now.

18. I nourish my body with healthy foods and positive thoughts.

19. My body changes, and change is natural.

20. My body is an instrument, not an ornament.

21. I am proud of my body and all it has accomplished.

22. My body is strong and capable.

23. My body's worth more than a number on a scale.

24. My body carries me through life with grace and strength.

25. I embrace my body's imperfections because they make me unique.

26. I am thankful for the way my body serves me.

27. I trust my body's wisdom and intuition.

28. I deserve to feel comfortable in my own skin.

29. I choose to love and accept my body unconditionally.

30. My inner beauty shines more brightly than any physical attribute ever could.

31. My body is perfectly imperfect, and that is more than enough.

32. I am more than enough just as I am right now.

33. My body is a reflection of my individuality.

34. I celebrate the person I am and the body I have.

35. I am perfectly made, from my head to my toes.

36. I respect the journey my body has taken and appreciate where it is now.

37. I speak kindly to my body and thank it for all it does.

38. I am comfortable and confident in my own skin.

39. My body is a canvas of my life's experiences, and each mark is a testament to my strength.

40. I am beautiful and radiant just the way I am.

41. I allow love and kindness to fill every cell of my body.

42. I am a beautiful being, inside and out.

43. My body deserves respect and kindness from everyone, but most of all from me.

44. I feed my body nourishment that supports my health and well-being.

45. I am committed to taking care of myself and honoring my body's needs.

46. My body is my best friend and I love it deeply.

47. I am grateful for the uniqueness of my body.

48. I radiate positivity, and it reflects in my physical appearance.

49. I love every cell of my body, and each cell loves me in return.

50. I choose to view my body as a gift, not an object to be critiqued or changed.

Learn to love your body with Quinn

No stranger to the harmful side effects of a negative self-image, entrepreneur Caroline Spiegel dreamed up a body-positive, female-focused response to the typically male-centered porn industry: Quinn, the sexual wellness app created by women, for the world. 

If you’re looking for help rediscovering your sexuality as you work toward loving your body, the wide range of audio erotica and wellness content on Quinn is a great place to start.

To access thousands of audio stories, guided masturbation sessions, and playlists for body reclamation and plus-size appreciation, download the Quinn app for iOS or Android.