Motherhood comes with many changes. Your lifestyle shifts, and your body and mind sometimes feel like they have a new identity. It's all completely normal, but it can feel disarming. So we're here to help by sharing the power of positive affirmations for body image, offering you 50 uplifting mantras to cultivate a kinder, more empathetic outlook on yourself. We hope they help you navigate this new chapter in your life and celebrate the miraculous strength of your post-pregnancy body.

Body image: Neutrality, Confidence, and Positivity

Body image is the perception and overall evaluation we have of our own bodies. It's how we see ourselves, both physically and emotionally, and how we believe others perceive us. This concept can have a significant impact on our mental and emotional well-being, especially when it comes to psychological challenges. In our society, women and girls are bombarded with edited images of unrealistic beauty standards, leading many healthy and gorgeous women to believe they are flawed. Then enter pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood, when a woman’s body is dramatically, and forever transformed. Your body just performed a miracle giving you your most precious gift, but likely also exacerbated whatever body image issues you already had. This can lead to feelings of insecurity, self-doubt, and even anxiety. Nevertheless, by recognizing and understanding these psychological hurdles, we can begin to address them with self-compassion, self-care, and a journey toward body image affirmations.

Things Nobody Talks About

You may have to get entirely new clothes to fit your post-pregnancy body. The idea that breastfeeding will naturally remove all the pregnancy fat does not work for most women. Women of older maternal age, or who had preexisting health challenges, may have even bigger changes to their body. How your body adapted to your first baby may not be the same way it adapts to the second or third. Previous diet or workout routines may no longer easily fit into post-partum life. Your partner may have their own adjustment period to learning to love and accept your new body. We just wanted to name all this so you know that it’s normal, that we see you, and help begin the process of loving and accepting your new body rather than desperately trying to get it back to the way it was. Much easier said than done we know!

7 Benefits of Positive Body Image

A lot of these may go without saying, and our goal is certainly not to shame you for having issues with your new body. We all did and do! The list below is to serve as a reminder for all the benefits having a positive body image can bring, and demonstrate that these benefits may be even better than having a certain body. 

1. Enhanced Emotional Well-being: New moms with a positive body image tend to experience improved emotional well-being, leading to reduced feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Embracing and accepting their post-pregnancy bodies fosters a sense of self-confidence and contentment.

2. Greater Bonding with Baby: When moms feel comfortable in their own skin, they are more likely to engage in positive interactions with their babies. A positive body image can strengthen the emotional bond between mother and child, promoting a nurturing and supportive environment for the baby's development.

3. Improved Self-Care Practices: New moms with a positive body image are more inclined to prioritize self-care activities, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest. These healthy habits contribute to their overall physical and mental well-being.

4. Enhanced Relationship Satisfaction: A positive body image can positively impact a new mom's romantic relationship. Feeling confident and secure in one's body can lead to better communication, intimacy, and emotional connection with their partner.

5. Increased Body Confidence Role Modeling: Moms with a positive body image become powerful role models for their children. By demonstrating self-love and acceptance, they encourage their kids to develop healthy attitudes toward their own bodies and self-esteem.

6. Greater Participation in Social Activities: A positive body image can lead new moms to feel more comfortable in their own skin participating in social gatherings and events. Increased social interactions provide valuable emotional support and a sense of community during the postpartum period.

7. Enhanced Focus on Personal Goals: When moms are free from body-related insecurities, they can channel their energy toward pursuing personal and professional goals with determination and confidence. A positive body image empowers them to focus on what truly matters, fostering personal growth and achievement.

What Self-Affirmations Are

Self-affirmations are evidence-based psychological interventions that involve reflecting on and repeating positive statements about oneself, values, or abilities. Grounded in social psychology and cognitive theories, these body positive affirmations are designed to bolster self-integrity and reduce cognitive dissonance by affirming one's core beliefs and values. The practice typically entails identifying and reaffirming important aspects of the self, such as relationships, achievements, or personal qualities. By doing so, individuals can protect their self-concept from threats, boost self-esteem, and strengthen resilience in the face of challenges. Scientific research has shown that engaging in regular self-affirmation exercises can lead to a range of positive outcomes, including reduced stress, improved problem-solving abilities, and enhanced overall well-being. These positive body image affirmations act as potent psychological tools, empowering individuals to face life's obstacles with greater confidence and self-assurance.

In other words, self-affirmations are positive statements people say to themselves in order to help change their internal dialog and increase self-esteem. They act as reminders of individual power and the limitless potential human beings have, helping them to overcome self-doubt and fear. Self-affirmations can take any form. For example, they can be shaped as inspirational mantras or words of wisdom. However, they serve the same purpose of nurturing inner strength and reinforcing a sense of personal worth.

How to Use Body Image Affirmations?

Imagine a new mom, feeling overwhelmed and discouraged by the physical changes her body has undergone after pregnancy. She finds herself doubting her appearance and questioning her ability to care for her baby. Recognizing the need for positive reinforcement, she begins a daily self-affirmation practice. Each morning, she looks in the mirror and repeats statements like "I am strong and capable," "I love and accept my post-pregnancy body," and "I am a loving and nurturing mother." As she continues this practice, she notices a shift in her mindset. The negative self-talk and negative body image thoughts starts to fade, replaced by a sense of self-compassion and confidence. With each affirmation, she feels a renewed belief in herself and her abilities as a mother. Over time, this positive self-affirmation routine becomes a powerful tool, helping her navigate the challenges of motherhood with resilience and a newfound appreciation for her body and her role as a parent.

50 Best Positive Affirmations for Body Image

Here are 50 positive affirmations for body image, your body positivity movement, body acceptance, and more. 

1. I am grateful for the miraculous journey my body has taken during and after pregnancy.

2. My body is resilient, and I embrace its ability to adapt and heal.

3. I am proud of the changes my body went through to bring new life into the world.

4. I release any negative thoughts about my post-pregnancy body and embrace self-love.

5. My body is beautiful, and I celebrate its uniqueness and strength.

6. I love and accept my body exactly as it is. 

7. I am confident in my body's ability to recover and regain its strength.

8. I embrace my new curves and recognize them as a natural part of my journey.

9. My body tells a powerful story of love and sacrifice, and I honor it with compassion.

10. I am worthy of love and acceptance, and I offer it to myself unconditionally.

11. I choose to focus on the positive aspects of my body and let go of any criticism.

12. I am proud of the marks on my body as they remind me of the miracle of life.

13. I treat my body with kindness, knowing it deserves to be cared for and respected.

14. My body's changes do not define my worth; I am valuable and worthy just as I am.

15. I am learning to appreciate and celebrate my post-pregnancy body with gratitude.

16. I release any comparison with others and fully embrace my own unique beauty.

17. I am strong, capable, and able to handle any challenges that come my way.

18. My body is a vessel of love, and I am deserving of love in return.

19. I choose to see beauty in all aspects of my body, both inside and out.

20. I am deserving of self-care and prioritize my well-being for myself and my child.

21. I am proud of my body and the life it has created and nurtured.

22. My body is amazing, and I am in awe of its ability to bring forth new life.

23. I release any negative beliefs about my body and embrace positivity and self-acceptance.

24. I am at peace with my body, knowing that it is a vessel of love and strength.

25. I choose to focus on the incredible gift of motherhood rather than any perceived flaws.

26. My body is unique, and I honor it by taking care of it with love and compassion.

27. I am patient with myself as my body continues to adjust after pregnancy.

28. I am more than my physical appearance; I am a loving and nurturing mother.

29. I choose to surround myself with positive influences that uplift and inspire me.

30. I am grateful for my body's ability to recover and support me in my new role as a mom.

31. I let go of any negative body image beliefs and embrace self-love and acceptance.

32. I am beautiful, inside and out, and I radiate confidence and positivity.

33. I appreciate my body for the incredible work it has done to bring life into the world.

34. I treat my body with kindness and respect, knowing it deserves to be cherished.

35. I embrace the changes in my body as a symbol of the beautiful transformation of motherhood.

36. I release any pressure to conform to societal beauty standards and embrace my uniqueness.

37. My body is a vessel of love, and I treat it with care and compassion.

38. I choose to see myself through the eyes of love and embrace my body with grace.

39. I am confident in my body's ability to heal and regain its strength over time.

40. I am grateful for the gift of motherhood and all the changes it brought to my body.

41. I focus on all the amazing things my body can do rather than any perceived flaws.

42. I am worthy of self-care, and I prioritize my well-being to be the best mom I can be.

43. I am learning to love and appreciate my body for all that it is and all that it does.

44. I release any negative thoughts about my post-pregnancy body and embrace self-love.

45. I am proud of my body for its resilience and strength during and after pregnancy.

46. I let go of any comparison with others and fully embrace my own unique beauty.

47. My body is a vessel of love, and I honor it with compassion and acceptance.

48. I embrace my body as it is, knowing that it is a symbol of the miracle of life.

49. I choose to focus on the positive aspects of my body and let go of any criticism.

50. I am grateful for my body and all the incredible things it has done for me and my child.

51. I am beautiful exactly as I am 

We recommend you select one to three of these you like best (or make up your own) and try to say it out loud daily. You could write them on your bathroom mirror. Post them on your fridge, or anywhere else you look regularly. Remember, self-affirmations are a powerful tool to foster self-love, acceptance, and body positivity after pregnancy.

Takeaway

Positive affirmations can help to combat negative emotions around your physical body, improve your body image, and help you feel confident. This can have cascading effects, helping to promote a healthy body image for your kids.