Tips To Help Build A Healthier Relationship With Your Body
What does it mean to have a “perfect” body? What does a “perfect” body look like?
Society’s standard of body image is unrealistic. Why, you ask? It’s simple, we are all shaped differently. Studies have shown that women are unhappy with their bodies and either want to lose weight or make some sort of change.
These days, your weight somehow determines your self worth. With all of the trendy weight loss diets and constant images we see of thinner toned women, it can make it harder to accept your body for what it looks like. Why not redefine the standards of beauty and start recognizing and appreciating women of all shapes and sizes. Having a positive outlook about yourself is health and rewarding. Let's explore a few ways you can build a healthier relationship between you and your body.
Be Kind To Yourself
We tend to treat others better than we treat ourselves. We are sometimes quick to compliment someone else on how they look but when was the last time you gave yourself a compliment? Imagine how you would feel if you started being kinder to yourself and love the person you see when you look in the mirror.
Know that your words have power. When you wake up in the morning, take a look in the mirror and say to yourself, “ I look good, I love my body and I love myself “. Looking in the mirror and accepting what is there and what is not there can be difficult. Give yourself words of validation and watch how the negative views about your appearance will begin to change. Make a promise to start appreciating your body for how it looks and what it can do for you. Your body is capable of doing amazing things as long as you give it a chance.
Your Health Counts
Being healthy does not mean that you have to be tied down to a scale. Do not over analyze every meal or every pound and don’t feel like you have to deprive yourself of certain foods. It’s okay to indulge in cake and ice cream, chocolate or a milkshake every now and then. No need to over exercise or restrict meals. Treat your body right with a well balanced diet and daily physical activities of any kind. Your body will be happy and thankful in the end.
Your health is about maintaining a healthy state of mind and maintaining good physical health. When you are healthy mentally, you are able to recognize strengths and qualities about your body and the desire or pressure to strive for the “perfect” body becomes less and less.
Increase Your Self-Esteem
Your self-esteem impacts how well you take of yourself, mentally, physically and emotionally. When you have low self-esteem, you don’t feel good about yourself. If you are struggling with body issues, it will be hard for you to appreciate your body and love yourself which can ultimately lead to having eating disorders as well as depression. Body shaming yourself will only decrease your self-esteem and increase negative thoughts about your body.
Build up your self-esteem by surrounding yourself around friends and family who recognize you for your uniqueness and appreciate how you look. Be aware of how you talk about yourself. Everyday, start replacing one negative thought about your body with a positive one. Dress in ways that make you feel good about yourself and wear clothes that are fitting and conforming to your body.
You are not in this struggle alone. Remember that everyone faces challenges when it comes to body image. Talking with someone about the struggles you are having with your body can help. Seeking help from a licensed therapist is a good step to start tackling those issues.
Here at KQH Mental Health Counseling P.L.L.C, we will help you combat your body issues, boost your self-esteem and feel more confident about yourself. You can also get a lot of helpful information from our newsletter and sign-up for our journal prompts.
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