Love Thy Body
We all struggle to love the body we live in. Throughout my journey, I have experienced body transformations that have challenged my own body image. When I was younger, I used to compare myself to my sisters- wishing I had curves in all the same places as they did. As I got older and had my son, my body began going through a change. My stomach, chest, bum, and legs became areas I was challenged to love about myself. Even though I have periods of my life when loving myself is harder than other times, I use positive self-talk as a daily practice to teach myself how to appreciate the body I have.It is so important to exercise positive affirmation because how we see ourselves directly influences our own self confidence and the way we come across to others. Body image is something we have to work on all the time, every day. We encounter negative thoughts throughout the day that can easily add up to a damaging self-image. Here are some of the tools that have helped me love my body:1. Surround yourself by people that lift you up2. Take new photos of yourself as a physical reminder of the beauty you hold.3. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones4. Wear clothes that fit and that you are comfortable with5. Take notice of the things your body can do6. Do nice things for your body and mind7. Find activities you love to get your body moving8. Make a list of things you love about your body and yourself. Review it often.9. Stop comparingPracticing mindfulness in reference to your body image will lead to an overall stronger self-image. I challenge you to take time to appreciate the body that serves you every day. I have trained my mind to not dwell on the attributes I see as negative and to instead be empowered by all that my body is capable of, and I believe you can too! I hope these tips will help you cultivate a body positive mindset and appreciate your own body at any stage of life.“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful.” ~ Sophia Loren