The naturist
My advice would be to spend time naked alone at home, which will help you start to feel comfortable in your own skin. When you feel ready, consider joining like-minded people in a safe environment to do naked activities you enjoy. You could go to a naturist beach or naked sauna, or go skinny dipping. You’ll soon realise there is no such thing as the perfect body – everyone has lumps and bumps. Being with other naked people makes you realise that it really doesn’t matter.
Anne Nisbet
The fashion model
So many of us are scared to try something because we think: that’s not me. But how do you know unless you try? If you want to dye your hair a crazy colour or wear a dress that you might never normally wear, go for it. The other day, I wore this amazing dress made of hard silver yarn. It looked almost like armour. When I put it on, I felt like Joan of Arc. It turned me into a warrior and gave me the confidence I needed. The fashion industry profits from self-doubt. But there are people in it who care about inclusivity. I think it’s beautiful when a designer can make clothes that look good not just on a small body, but on bigger bodies, too.
Emma Breschi
The go-go dancer
Look in the mirror and give love to all the parts of you, especially the parts you find difficult to love. You can say things like “I love my thighs – they are strong” or “My belly is beautiful and I love the way it moves.” You can say them out loud, or in your head if out loud is too scary. I’ve spent a long time disliking the body I’m in. Part of this is because of my trans-ness [Danni identifies as non-binary] and the other part was having an eating disorder. I started practising this technique in moments of desperation. I wanted to love myself but found it hard, so I had to be active with it. I use this technique every day. Even if I feel confident in my body, I still give myself love.
Danni Spooner
The sex therapist
Engaging in masturbation in an intentional way can benefit anyone’s body image. Many people who enjoy self-pleasure begin to see their bodies in a more forgiving, less critical and overall more pleasure-centric way.
Gigi Engle, intimacy expert at dating app 3Fun
The yoga teacher
My tip is to notice the way you talk to yourself. Many of us say all kinds of critical things to ourselves: “I’m not good enough”, “I’m ugly”, “Look how disgusting my body is.” We often blame social media if we have a bad body image, but ultimately you’re saying those things. Think about the way you feel versus the way you look. If I ask myself “How do I look?”, that points the direction outside me and says: “Do you think I’m good enough?” But when I ask myself “How do I feel?”, that should guide everything. If your answer is: I feel good, I feel confident, I feel beautiful, that’s enough.
Jessamyn Stanley, founder of inclusive yoga and meditation app The Underbelly
The psychologist
Research shows that people who spend time in nature tend to have more positive body image than those who spend no time in nature. That’s because nature pulls you away from social contexts focused on aesthetics, such as adverts about physical appearance. Nature is not judging you or picking out your flaws. That helps to replenish our feelings of self-compassion. We’ve also found that blue spaces – any natural environment with a view of water – tends to be even better than green spaces. You could go for a walk or a swim but you don’t have to be mobile – you could just sit in a park.
Viren Swami, professor of social psychology at Anglia Ruskin University
The body image advocate
A technique that has always worked for me is buying cute lingerie and walking around my flat wearing it for a couple of hours. Every now and then, I glance at myself in the mirror to take in how the underwear makes me feel. I find it incredibly empowering.
Stephanie Yeboah
The body language consultant
Stand up straight. Non-symmetric or slouching poses encourage negative thoughts, while a strong upright pose creates positive thoughts and feelings. A proud pose will make you feel more confident, no matter your size.
Carole Railton
The plus-size model
For me, body confidence comes with forgetting other people’s opinions. Often that means I picture myself showing off my body as if I’m the most “in-shape” person, with toned abs and muscles, who you’d see exposing their body for all to be in awe of. I think to myself: would I worry about opinions in the same way if I had that body? So why should I now? I find this particularly useful on holiday when it looks like everyone around me has done their six-week summer shred while my body creases and jiggles. As someone who used to be a “fitfluencer” personal trainer, I’ve been on quite a journey. How my body looked to others used to be everything to me. But I’ve learned that it isn’t about altering my look for others; it’s about looking after myself and being the happiest version of me. I’m 10 times more confident now than when I had a six-pack and bulging biceps.
Jake Kneeshaw
The life drawing model
Remind yourself that you are more than just one thing. I have always believed myself to be a whole package. My body shape is just one part of me. My personality, intellect and humour are significant parts of me.
Patch Gallagher
The body double
Having been in punk bands from the age of 14, my tip is to embrace the punk attitude. I was nearly 60 when I got my first body double job, as Jude Law’s bum in Firebrand. I’d been working in IT service management before. At first I wasn’t sure it was something I could do but I thought: why shouldn’t I show my arse to the world? Who cares what other people think? Through playing in bands I’ve found that an aura of self-belief and enjoyment ensures people concentrate on what you are doing and not the person doing it.
Dale Farrow
The former Love Island contestant
I suffered with eating disorders throughout my teens and early adult life, including when I went on Love Island. On a show like that, your body is out there for people to scrutinise. I was opening myself up to even more criticism, which fuelled the negative way I viewed myself. I had to rewire my brain. Last year, I started doing meditation and affirmations. When I feel as if I’m picking at myself for no reason, I repeat in my head: “I trust myself. I am safe. I am loved.” For beginners, guided meditation is great. It stills the mind.
Malin Andersson
The psychotherapist
Dance more! Using our body in a physical, creative, playful way can introduce us to a different way of experiencing it. Instead of looking at the body as an aesthetic object to be changed or perfected, we can bring attention to the sensations of being “within” it; what it feels like to move, breathe and explore.
Eloise Skinner
The dominatrix
Being in more sex-positive spaces has allowed me to realise how desired any shape and any aesthetic can be. I’ve learned that there is always somebody out there who idolises a certain kind of body. There’s an incredible range of what turns people on and there will be somebody who desperately pines for your shape. It’s about finding a community that celebrates rather than denigrates. And, I’m a firm believer in the catsuit – they look striking on absolutely anybody.
Eva Oh
The kids’ body image educator
I wrote a children’s book about a sparrow who learns to love the feathers she is in. She realises that her body is amazing for what it can do and that her beauty comes from within. My tip is to find one thing you like about your body. Then think of some non-aesthetic reasons why you like it. For example, I would say my smile because it allows me to show I’m happy and makes others around me happy, too. This technique helped me realise that my worth doesn’t lie in my appearance. I’ve come to realise my body is my home – and I’ve only got this one.
Anupa Roper, author and editor of child body positivity site Sparrowlegs
The personal stylist
Remember that nobody else cares what size you’re wearing. If the number on the label bothers you, cut it out. Go for what’s comfortable and what fits you.
Alex Standley, founder of Luxe Leopard Lifestyle
The burlesque performer
Growing up I’d always been aware of my body shape: my hips were too big, my bum was too flat. As I got older I began to embrace my body and learn to appreciate what it has done for me. Breast cancer changed my outlook completely. After my operation, seeing my scars made me hate looking in the mirror. I was so sad that the body I had grown to appreciate had tried to kill me. It was a long, hard journey but I realised I needed to change the way I looked at myself again. I was introduced to burlesque by my stepdaughter. I was so nervous before the first performance but as soon as I started my solo I felt a wave of confidence I’d never experienced. Being around other women who are body-confident is contagious. That’s the secret to feeling like a goddess. And I love a nice-smelling body lotion. It is a daily ritual: showing my body care and respect helps me maintain a healthy, loving relationship with it.
Sharon Ridgway
Anne and Jake Hair and makeup/grooming: Sara Bowden. Jake Styling: Sam Deaman. Shirt: Kanika Goyal Label. Vest: All Saints. Shorts: Beyond Retro. Loafers: Grenson. Jessamyn Fitnesswear: The Underbelly from its Playground Collection. Hair and makeup: Audra Langley
