At Cult Beauty, we’re firm advocates for body positivity. No matter your shape or size, you are beautiful, you are worthy and you deserve to love your body.
While social media has certainly played its part in tipping the scales and causing more and more of us to question our appearance, there’s some good news: body positivity is on the rise. Over the past 12 months there has been a 250% increase in worldwide Google searches for body inclusive terms (read: ‘love my body’, ‘plus size’ and ‘body confidence’). On top of that, there are more than 1.5 million global Instagram posts with the hashtag #bodyconfidence, and more than 10.5 million for #bodypositivity!
With that in mind, we wanted to find out where in the world the most body confident countries are. So we put on our detective hats and did some digging into Google searches, Instagram hashtags and online articles about body confidence to find out which countries are leading the way in body positivity.
THE WORLD’S MOST BODY CONFIDENT COUNTRIES
1. INDIA
In the top spot is India. With the highest number of monthly Google searches by a looooong way for body inclusive terms, Asia’s second largest country is clearly embracing body positivity in all its glory!
2. UNITED STATES
In second place is the United States of America. The US has published the largest number of articles about body confidence over the past year, showing that the country is leaning into body positivity in a big way.
3. UNITED KINGDOM
The UK comes in third in the rankings of the most body positive countries! It has the second largest amount of Instagram hashtags for #bodyconfidence in all of the top 10 rankings.
4. TURKEY
Turkey takes the fourth spot. While the number of articles written about body confidence is on the low side, the country more than makes up for this with Instagram posts and Google searches!
5. PHILIPPINES
Known for its stunning landscapes and beautiful beaches, the Philippines is now also celebrated as the fifth most body confident country in the world!
6. INDONESIA
The multicultural country of Indonesia celebrates diversity not only on an ethnic and religious level, but on a body image level too. It’s the sixth most body confident country in our list.
7. THAILAND
Thailand is a country celebrated for its inclusivity, particularly when it comes to the LGBT community, and now we know that it’s also body inclusive too! It ranks seventh in our top 10 list, and has the third highest number of #bodyconfidence hashtags.
8. AUSTRALIA
But it’s Australia that takes the top spot for #bodyconfidence hashtags on Instagram, bolstering the country to eighth place in the rankings. We’re sure that laidback beach lifestyle plays a part in their body confidence!
9. MALAYSIA
In ninth place is Malaysia, the fourth Southeast Asian country in our list! That means that 40% of the world’s most body confident countries are in this part of the world – we know where we’re moving to!
10. SRI LANKA
Rounding off our top 10 list is Sri Lanka. This small but mighty country certainly pulls its weight when it comes to body confidence, publishing more than twice as many articles on body confidence in the past year as India – who rank in the top spot overall!
FIVE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BODY CONFIDENCE
We spoke to body confident expert and author Astrid Longhurst to get some tips on how you can become more body confident. Here’s what she recommends:
1. Surround yourself with positive energy – become a feel good magnet
It’s no wonder you feel unconfident if your inner voice is constantly telling you you’re not good enough. Body confidence starts from within, with a choice to feel good, no matter your age, size, shape or anything else.
“Decide that you are not defined by your body, but by how much joy you feel. Create this every day by mentally visualising yourself feeling happy and content with all that your day will bring you.”
2. Focus on what brings you alive & what you love about you
Body confidence is all about being more of who you are. It’s about getting in touch with the real you. Knowing what you want, believing in yourself and setting your own pace.
“Write a self-appreciation journal. Every single day write three to five things that you appreciate about yourself (they can be the same things every day). This simple exercise can be a game changer!”
3. Refuse to compare yourself to others – you are your own masterpiece
Comparison is the thief of joy. And social media makes it all too easy to compare ourselves to others. But it’s important to remember that everyone is unique.
“We are all individual works of art and that is what makes us our own living masterpieces. If you are ever tempted to judge someone as being better than you in any way say quietly to yourself, “They’re amazing and so am I!”. This helps to build a sense of inclusivity, rather than feeling separate from others and yourself.”
4. Rescript your body story & cut out negative self-talk
How would you describe your body? From now on, we’re using positive words only. Choose the kind of words that you would love to feel and experience every day.
“Make positive grateful statements or affirmations for having already achieved all that you want in the present tense. For example, “I am so grateful that I am full of health & vitality” or “my body is my greatest friend”. Read your new life and body script every day and allow yourself to really feel the joy of how this would feel! Repeat daily with enthusiasm!”
5. Move into happiness
One of the quickest ways to feel happy in your skin is to teach your body the state of happiness. And the best way that you can do this is to combine a movement with a positive saying or affirmation.
“Sit or stand and gently bounce up and down. Breathe in & out for four counts each. Allow yourself to smile broadly and say out loud (or just in your head) “I AM FABULOUS” Even five minutes of embodying an elevated emotion can have a significant positive effect on your health and immune system. If you feel slightly ridiculous, you know that it’s working!”
At Cult Beauty, we want to help you feel your very best. For you that might look like having gorgeous hair, glowing skin or flawless make up. Or it might simply look like an amazing night’s sleep or a healthy dose of you-time. We’re all unique, and that’s something that should be celebrated.
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