For some, the thought of wearing a swimming suit over Spring Break is nerve-racking — Trevor Erdman, junior in psychology, and Nathaniel Wade, associate professor in psychology and the director of the counseling psychology program, explain why this may be.

“We unconsciously desire symmetry in our body, so when we see something that is unsymmetrical, our minds find it unappealing,” Erdman said. “One can never really establish absolute symmetry. That is why people are constantly nit-picking something about themselves.”

Wade said many people naturally care about what others think of them.

“In our culture, values of physical attractiveness and the way we define physical attractiveness, react in restrictive ways,” Wade said. “Media is one of the reasons as to how we establish ways for others to think favorably of us.”

Understanding these concepts is important to prevent low self-esteem. To embrace your body and the way you look, here are six ways to radiate confidence for Spring Break.

PLAN YOUR LOOK

When you plan what you wear, you know what looks great on you. Be creative and find looks that make you comfortable and happy. At the beach, find ways to draw less attention to your body and more to the accessories you wear. A hat or your favorite beach shoes can distract you from your insecurities.

WEAR YOUR FAVORITE FRAGRANCE

People love getting complimented on how good they smell because it boosts their confidence. By lightly splashing on your favorite fragrance, you can get people talking in a positive way.

SELF-ACCEPT

“Self-acceptance goes a long way, whether it’s your body shape, weight or physical attractiveness. It’s been shown that self-acceptance is a great place to start for mental health,” Wade said. Loving yourself can result in absolute confidence, and people would die knowing your secret.

DON’T WORRY

“Men are just as self-conscious as women are, sometimes even more,” Erdman said. Stop comparing what you don’t have with what others have. Chances are, they are comparing themselves to others too. Worrying causes low self-esteem which prevents you from looking confident.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE

When you are surrounded by people you love, it is hard not having a good time. Distract your mind by involving yourself in activities with people you like being around — this can help you stop worrying about yourself.

SMILE

Sweet and simple — looking happy shows confidence. By wearing a smile, you will feel more confident and people will believe it.