There is only one you, so love yourself

Have you ever thought that there was something wrong with the way you look? Do you think that you are too short or too tall, too heavy or too skinny?

If you’ve had thoughts like these, you’re not alone. Body image and self-esteem are tied together since how you feel about your body can affect your sense of self-worth. When you put yourself down about how you look, it can lead to negative feelings about yourself in general.

If you start to have negative thoughts about the way you look, think about all of the traits that make you special. Look at your whole self—body and mind—in a positive light and write down what you see.

Need a hand getting started? Focus on the good things in your life. Or, before you go to bed at night, name three things you did that day that made you happy. By focusing on the positive aspects of your life, you can feel more positive about yourself! Don’t forget to give yourself compliments, too! Say it out loud when the day is done! If you are struggling with an eating disorder or just can’t seem to feel better, talk to someone right away.

Remember:

• You are beautiful!
• You are one of a kind!
• Real beauty comes from inside!

Content courtesy of the National Women’s Health Information Center. The original content and additional information can be found at http://www.girlshealth.gov/mind/ bodyimage.htm.