Love your body just the way it is

When a person lives having negative thoughts about their body for years, they build a very strong web of self-doubt and harsh, often unfair, criticism. Love your body just the way it is.

Such thoughts tend to become more intense in the summer, a time when we enjoy the sea and the sun wearing swimsuits. However, this summer doesn’t have to be like the last one.

The good thing about our thoughts is that it’s us who decides what to think about. And you can choose to cultivate a better relationship with your body, showing it love, respect and care it deserves.

Make a to-do list

Instead of focusing on how your body looks (or doesn’t), focus on what it can do for you. This will help you focus on the elements for which you are grateful.

Moreover, try to incorporate this practice of gratitude into your daily routine. Take some time each day to thank your body for what it does for you.

If you have just climbed three steps, completed a difficult workout, carried bags to the house or done housework, thank and appreciate your body for all the different functions it can perform.

Ask your body what it needs

We spend so much time criticizing, comparing and judging our bodies that we often neglect or categorically reject their basic needs, such as rest.

Ask your body if it is hungry, thirsty or needs rest.

By observing the signals your body gives you, you can begin to pay positive attention to it instead of disconnecting from or simply ignoring it.

Mite the internal negative monologue

Indeed, it’s impossible to develop a healthy relationship with your body when your inner judge doesn’t stop “criticizing” it, pointing out weaknesses and vulnerabilities at every opportunity.

So, the next time you have a negative thought about your appearance, treat it with kindness, compassion and respect.

This may feel very unnatural or even uncomfortable at first, especially if you’re used to hearing a negative inner voice.

But with time and practice, you can slowly begin to replace negative self-talk with self-love.

This is because our thoughts are changeable and configurable thanks to the neuroplasticity of our brain (that is, the ability of your brain to change and adapt in response to your behavior), experts explain.

So, the more you begin to treat your body with respect, care and love, the more new neural pathways to promote this kind of thinking your brain will create.

Habits that will make you happy

Enjoying our articles? Show us some love! Follow LoveLife on FaceBook.