Over the past 12 months, there has been a 250% increase worldwide in Google searches for body-inclusive terms (‘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, Cult Beauty set out to reveal where in the world people are most body–confident, and the research reveals that India is the most body–confident country.
Cult Beauty analysed Google searches, Instagram hashtags and articles about body confidence for every country worldwide to find out which countries are leading the way in body positivity.
In the top spot is India. With the highest monthly Google searches by a long way for body-inclusive terms, Asia’s second-largest country is embracing body positivity in all its glory.
In second place is the US. 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.
The UK comes third in the rankings of the most body-positive countries. It has the second largest amount of Instagram hashtags for #bodyconfidnece in all the top 10 rankings.
Turkey (4th), Australia (8th) and Sri Lanka (10th) also come in the top 10 rankings for body confidence.
Five ways to boost your body confidence
Cult Beauty spoke to body confident expert and author Astrid Longhurst on how you can feel more body confident in your skin.
Surround yourself with positive energy – become a feel-good magnet
It’s no wonder you feel unconfident if your inner voice constantly tells you you’re not good enough. Body confidence starts from within, with a choice to feel good, regardless of 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 your day brings you.
Focus on what brings you alive and 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 day, write three to five things you appreciate about yourself (they can be the same every day). This simple exercise can be a game changer.
Refuse to compare yourself to others – you are your 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 living masterpieces. If you are ever tempted to judge someone as being better than you, 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.
Rescript your body story and 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 you would love to feel and experience daily.
Make positive grateful statements or affirmations for having already achieved everything you want in the present tense. For example, ‘I am so grateful that I am full of health and vitality’ or ‘my body is my greatest friend’. Read your new life and body script every day, and allow yourself to feel the joy of how this would feel. Repeat daily with enthusiasm.
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 and 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.
A spokesperson at Cult Beauty comments on the study: ‘It’s great to see so many countries leading the way for body positivity. At Cult Beauty, we’re firm advocates for body positivity. No matter your share or size, you are beautiful and worthy and deserve to love your body. We hope that many other countries start to shine a light on being confident in your skin, and hopefully, our body confidence tips will help to make that happen.’
