It is an unfortunate truth that many people’s relationship with their body is negative. It doesn’t have to be this way, though. By focusing on your body’s health and appreciating it for what it does, you will soon learn to love your body rather than fight it. If you aren’t quite at that stage of loving your body, then read on to discover how you can develop that positive relationship.
Effective ways to develop a relationship with your body
Increase Your Strength
Many people’s goal when starting a fitness journey is to lose weight. While that can be helpful, especially if you have excess fat to lose, it’s also important to focus on building your strength, as this will help you feel strong and in control. If you’re struggling to build the muscle mass you desire, look into a 100% legal steroid alternative for better performance while working out. Not only will you look better, but you’ll feel better, too.
Start Eating Intuitively
Diet culture has negatively affected the minds of many, and while cutting back on calories can be helpful, it’s not always the best method, especially for those who are already a healthy weight. By eating intuitively, you make a positive relationship with your body.
Eating intuitively doesn’t necessarily mean cramming sugar into your body as soon as your energy levels drop, however. Instead, it means listening deeply to your body’s cravings and giving it the nourishment that it deserves. If that means a sweet treat now and again, so be it! Many people find that their body craves protein, healthy fats, and veggies most of the time, anyway.
Follow a Range of People on Social Media
Social media can be detrimental to your body image, especially if you only follow beautiful, slim models who seem to never eat an ounce of chocolate. Remember – many of those pictures are heavily edited, and in real life, many people have stretch marks, rolls, and body hair. To give yourself a better perspective, start following a range of different people on social media.
Dress for Your Shape
One of the mistakes many people make is seeing a pretty dress on a model, getting it for themselves, and realizing it looks nothing like the picture on their body, and getting upset. That doesn’t mean your body is wrong by any definition – what it means is you need to shop for your body type. Figure out what your body shape is, and then research what clothes complement it, and you’ll soon feel confident when dressing up.
Look for Beauty in Other’s Bodies
People all too often critique their own bodies without taking notice that everyone else is doing the same. In fact, many of the people you find beautiful will be picking apart their natural bodies just as much as you are! To gain a better perspective of your own, look around at other people and notice all the beauty that is there.
Join a Dance Class
A positive relationship with your body can do a lot of activities, and that includes dancing. Dancing is the perfect way to show off what your body can do while building your confidence. Plus, you’ll likely meet friends along the way!
Practice Meditation
Self-criticism often stems from a place of insecurity and not feeling at one with yourself. One of the simplest ways to beat this is by practicing meditation. There are plenty of meditation tips and guides online, so do some research and start practicing mindful wellness.
Take Care of Your Body
Your body is your home, so treat it with the respect it deserves. Make a positive relationship with your body; if you are sick, go to the doctor and receive the treatment you need; if you have injured yourself, spend time resting. By treating your body with care, you’ll soon learn to appreciate it.
Join a Sports Group
Another way to a positive relationship with your body is to show off exactly what it can do in the name of competition and fun. There are plenty of excellent physical and outdoor sports out there for you to try, including:
- Tennis: Tennis can be played at any age, and it’s a lot of fun with friends and family, so get a small group together and get out on the court.
- Running: The great thing about running is that you are mainly in competition with yourself. You don’t need anyone else around you – just a quality pair of running shoes and the determination to go the extra mile.
- Golf: For those who prefer a slow-paced sport, golf allows you to soak up the sunshine while stretching your legs (and arms).
Look at Models with Your Body Shape
Constantly looking at clothes models who don’t match your body type can skew your image of yourself. Thankfully, more and more companies are hiring models with various body shapes, whether that’s slim, average build, muscley, or plus-sized. So, the next time you are shopping for clothes, focus on finding a store that represents you.
Go for a Photoshoot
Other people will see beauty in you that you cannot see, and one way to expose this is to go get a professional photoshoot done. Go see a makeup artist and hairdresser beforehand, and then dress in a fantastic outfit and let the photographer do their work. Then, you will have gorgeous photos of yourself that you can cherish forever. It can help you to make a positive relationship with your body forever.
Get to Know Your Body
The more you understand your body, the more you will love it, the more you make a positive relationship with it. Instead of hiding from yourself, take a look at your body in the mirror and get used to the reflection. Not only is this handy for self-love, but it’s also helpful for noticing when something is wrong. Don’t forget to check for moles, breast lumps, and testicular lumps.
Appreciate All Your Body Does for You
Your body is wonderful. Your eyebrows and eyelashes catch dripping sweat, so your eyes don’t sting, you sweat when your temperature is too high, and your broken bones take the time to heal. Instead of wishing your body looked like another’s, think about all the incredible ways your body helps you in day-to-day life.
At the end
Developing a positive relationship with your body isn’t an overnight job. By implementing small changes, though, you will soon feel the self-love that you deserve.
