Help! It's Bathing Suit Season

I love spring. For those of us who live in a cold weather climate, it is the time of year where everything comes back alive again. The grass goes from snow-covered, to brown, to green. The trees go from barren, to budded, to full bloom. The temperature rises, the birds sing, and we get to play outside until dinner time. It is wonderful.

Yet, with spring comes the anxiety of putting on your bathing suit for the first time since shedding our layers upon layers of clothing. Not only are we pasty white, our bodies our just coming out of their winter hibernation. So how do we go to the beach on still feel beautiful in our bodies? Here are a few easy tips:

1. Be confident in who you are, even if you are not completely confident in how you look. We all have "off" days, even women who others would look at and wonder, "what does she have to worry about in a bathing suit?" Beauty shines through, remember who you are and all of your accomplishments, that is what makes a person truly beautiful.

2. The first time you put on that bathing suit, surround yourself with the people that already like you for who you are not what you look like. Remember, it may also be there first time this season in a bathing suit as well.

3. Don’t compare yourself to others. You are unique and that is what makes you beautiful.

4. Participate in activities that you enjoy. Whether you are poolside or at the beach catch up with your friends, listen to good music, enjoy the scenery, build sandcastles, play volleyball, ride the surf, or lose yourself in a good book or read all of those magazines that have piled up next to your bed.

5. Whether it is a full piece, bikini, or shorts and a t-shirt – put on whatever allows you to have fun without being self conscious.

It goes without saying - Protect yourself from the sun with appropriate sunsreen, drink lots of water, and enjoy these great months with your family and friends!