7 Daily Habits That Will Boost Your Body Image + Self-Esteem

I’m sure you’ve heard people say that humans are creatures of habit. But habits are so much deeper than little things like biting your nails or drinking enough water. Habits are present in every choice (conscious and unconscious) that we make throughout the day. Did you know that even feelings can become habitual? If you’re feeling stuck in your bad body image, it’s possible that the way you feel about yourself has become a habit. But if habits can make us feel bad… What about finding habits to improve body image instead?

I talk a lot on Finding Julianne about my body image journey and how I’ve learned to love the skin I am. I think people think these improvements come from making huge life-changing shifts and having the change happen overnight. But in reality, learning to love myself is a journey that has taken years, and one that I’m still working on today. It’s a shift that doesn’t come in huge leaps but in tiny baby steps. It’s in these little habits that I’ve been able to make progress. If you’d like to create a routine filled with little habits to improve body image, read on!

1. Reduce your body checking

Body checking: the habit of seeking information about your body’s weight, shape, size, or appearance. When I was actively trying (and mostly failing) to lose weight I would weigh and measure myself multiple times a day, and spend way too much time looking at my body in the mirror. Spending so much time scrutinizing your appearance is draining – and it can keep you trapped in a cycle of self-hatred.

Learn about body checking and start catching yourself when you do it obsessively. Instead of running to the scale or mirror, start checking in by asking your body how it feels and what it needs. Have I had enough water today? Would it feel good to move? Turning that attention inwards instead of focusing on your outer appearance can be a great habit to improve body image and change the way you think about your body.

Recommended post: What is Body Checking? Here’s How This Sneaky Habit Controls Your Body Image + Life

2. Cut down on your scrolling time

I’m the first to admit that I probably spend a liiiittle too much time on my phone. I think many of us do! Besides the other pitfalls that come with social media and cell phones, it also increases how much we compare ourselves (and our bodies) to others.

I’m a big fan of cleansing your social media feeds and filling them with content that uplifts and inspires you. But at the end of the day, time away from your phone can be hugely beneficial in so many aspects of your life. Use features like screen time or apps like Space as tools to help you start putting down your device and finding more presence in your mind and body.

3. Learn how to move your body in a healthy way

Joyful exercise can help you feel strong and healthy – without worrying about how it makes you look. Healthy and happy movement can help you connect with the way your body moves and feels rather than its appearance.

Just because movement isn’t seen as a traditional form of working out doesn’t mean it’s not great for your mind and body. Find exercise that makes you happy – for me it involves a lot of walking, yoga, and dancing around my apartment! Making movement a habit means making time for it without worrying about how little that time might be. A 10-minute walk isn’t as long as an hour-long hike, but it’s still better than not moving your body at all!

Recommended Post: Joyful Movement, Explained. Here’s How You Can Make Exercise Fun!

4. Try intuitive eating

In intuitive eating, all foods are allowed! There is no restricting or counting calories; just nurturing your body in a way that’s nutritious AND makes you feel good. Creating a habit of mindful and non-judgemental eating can change the way you see food and your body.

For me, the first step in finding intuitive eating was breaking down the guilt I felt about eating foods I thought were “bad”. Food isn’t bad or good – it’s just food! When grocery shopping I stock up on whole grains and vegetables, but also my favourite snacks that make me happy. Intuitive eating doesn’t mean you’re going to eat food that makes you feel gross all the time. Actually, allowing myself to enjoy “bad” foods actually stopped me from craving and binging on them so much. It’s been one of the best habits to improve not just my body image, but also my happiness and health.

Recommended post: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Intuitive Eating

5. Wear clothes that make you feel great

Clothes are just clothes, and they can’t change what we feel on the inside. But if we’re going to wear clothes every day, we might as well wear ones that make us feel like our best selves. Clothing that doesn’t fit your body, style, or self-expression will only hold you back in your quest to start loving yourself inside and out.

Style, comfort, and size all important factors when selecting your feel-good wardrobe. Scrolling through Pinterest, online stores, or magazines can be great ways to explore different styles that might make you feel great. Comfort is also important and can mean so many different things to different people. Some people will feel most comfortable in modest, soft clothing. Others might feel just as comfortable in a low-cut sequin dress! It’s all about discovering your personal fashion preference – not what you feel like you “should” want to wear, but what you actually want to wear!

Finally, owning clothing that’s actually your current size is crucial. Purge your closet of anything that’s too small, too tight, or ill-fitting. Toss out the idea that size defines you and buy things that fit you and your body right now. Seeing style as an everyday way to improve your confidence is one of the most fun habits to improve body image!

6. Practice body love affirmations

Affirmations seem like they’re everywhere right now. And there’s science to back them up – when we say affirmations, our brain’s self-processing and valuation systems light up! People often use affirmations to improve their feelings about themselves and their lives, but what about our bodies?

Add some body image boosting affirmations to your routine. You could say them in the mirror, write them in a journal, or just say them to yourself when your brain is overwhelmed with negative thoughts about your body. Here’s some to get you started:

• I am thankful for my body.
• I am so much more than the way that I look.
• My body helps me get around and experience life.
• I am healthy.
• My body is my home and not an art gallery. (I personally love this one! You’re meant to be lived in – not just looked at

Recommended post: Here’s How Body Neutrality Can Give You The Self-Love Breakthrough You Need

7. Learn to talk back to the negative voice in your head

The world is hard enough without also being too hard on yourself. There’s a huge difference between constructive thoughts (“I should have done some yoga this morning because it makes me feel good!”) and negative, self-destructive ones (“I skipped my workout today, I am so fat and lazy.”) If you find yourself falling into that latter category a little too often, it’s time to start taking a step back and talking back to that voice.

The first step is noticing when that self-critical voice is creeping in. It’s as simple as acknowledging your thoughts and recognizing which ones are unnecessarily putting you down. Then the next step – actually thinking back responses when these thoughts creep in. For example, when you think “my legs are fat and ugly” think back with “my legs help me get around, they are strong”. It might be tempting to aim for body positivity, but I always start with body neutrality (you can read my whole post on the subject here). You don’t have to love the way your body looks 100% of the time, but you should accept and respect it.

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How do you incorporate body-love habits into your life? Let me know your favourite habits for body image in the comments below, and make sure you show yourself some love today. You deserve it!