*This post was written by a Start Healthy contributor.

I think often times we believe body positivity has to be solely instilled in our youth. While an understandable misconception, because its easy to see youth as needing assistance and moral guidance, our bodies are changing at every age. And in a society where diet pills, anti-wrinkle, and anti-aging creams are leaders in the market we know as “beauty”, positive body image is something that needs to perpetuate the minds of every person at every age.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind at all stages of your life.

Don’t compare yourself to those around you

People are different and everyone comes in various shapes and sizes. Different is what makes you you. Don’t hold yourself accountable to be someone else’s form of beauty. Aim to be your best self, and not someone elses.

Don’t believe the images you see in advertisements

We are so quick to believe in the images we see online and on billboards. I can honestly say, until I learned how to use photo manipulating programs , I never realized how easy it is to change absolutely anything about a photo to make it look “natural”. In a world where you can unlock your phone by simply scanning your face or with your finger print, technology is capable of pretty much anything you can think of, so don’t believe everything you see.

Don’t believe you need “repairing”

Ever heard of “wrinkle repair”? Well, these creams and serums swarm the shelves of drugstores, supermarkets, and the web–they are everywhere. While sun exposure and other factors can affect how and when you attain wrinkles, they are also an inevitable part of aging. No matter the sunscreen (which is really important to use), wrinkling is a completely natural part of aging that we consistently see advertised as something that needs to be fixed. Embrace smile lines and wrinkles! It means you have been living a long and happy life, and who wants to repair a life well lived?

How to practice positivity:

Journal

Write down things you love about yourself. Keep in mind to look beyond the surface—beauty comes from within. Do this at least once a day to remind yourself how great you are and how confident you should be.

Meditate

Get in touch with your body and practice a positive level of mindfulness. Take mental notes of what you love about yourself.

Do the things that make you happy

Run, dance, try a new activity—just do something that makes you happy and gives you confidence. Often times a lack of positive image holds us back from doing what we want to do.

Instill confidence in those around you

Compliment people on things you notice: a great smile, a great personality, whatever it may be. You would be surprised how just a few words of admiration will instill a positive thought in this person they maybe don’t see themselves.

Impart body positivity in those around you and in your own life. Own the differences and qualities that make you a unique part of the world we live in.