With the media perpetually glorifying celebrities with the slimmest bodies and perfect skin, it can be easy for ordinary persons to feel inferior and unattractive because they don’t share the features of those celebrities. Every day, we look at ourselves in the mirror and tend to hate what we see: blemish-stricken face, muscles that aren’t toned, a stomach that isn’t flat, thighs without gaps, waist that isn’t small enough, hips that aren’t wide enough, etc.
Because of the “beautiful” bodies exposed to us regularly, we only see our imperfections, putting us under an incredible amount of pressure to lose weight, get skin treatments, or get cosmetic surgery. Some people succumb to this pressure by doing something harmful and potentially fatal — limiting meals until they nearly don’t eat anything at all, resulting in Anorexia Nervosa or other types of eating disorders.
Even if patients can fully recover with a customized and powerful treatment plan for anorexia, all of us can avoid developing the disorder in the first place.
Here’s what we should do and what we shouldn’t in our journey towards loving our bodies.
DO: Self-Talk
Every time you look at yourself in the mirror, shove away the negative thoughts, and say words of appreciation for yourself, instead. You can also put up notes in your mirror to remind yourself that you’re worth loving and that you’re beautiful. Wake up every day to those words, and gradually, you’ll start appreciating your body more.
DO: Be Grateful
Start and end your day by being grateful. Jot down or think about the nice things that’s made you thankful during the day, and every morning, look forward to another set of amazing things to be thankful for. Thank your body as well for keeping you alive and strong!
DO: Slow Down
This fast-paced life has made us forget that we need to pause and take a breather from time to time. Spare a few minutes of your day to do some breathing exercises. Take ten deep breaths to center yourself. After doing this, you’ll feel a lot more focused.
Slow down on eating as well. Pay attention to the taste of your food and appreciate it. Eating like this can positively change what you feel about your body.
And when life overwhelms you, allow yourself to rest. You don’t have to finish each and every one of your daily tasks if your body is too exhausted. With sufficient rest, you’ll bounce back with more energy and focus.
DON’T: Blame Your Body For Your Negative Experiences
Your body didn’t cause all the bad things that happened in your life. Thank your body, instead, for being with you in your endeavors every step of the way.
DON’T: Self-Deprecate
Self-deprecating has become a joke nowadays, but that doesn’t mean it’s harmless. When your friends self-deprecate, remind them of how beautiful they are, including yourself.
DON’T: Let Your Size Define You
Your character is far more important than your physical body, and your size doesn’t determine your health. Enjoy the body that you’re in, no matter its shape and size.
DON’T: Think That Your Size Makes You Matter Less
Life is too short to be hard on ourselves, so let’s celebrate our imperfections and accept ourselves wholly. Celebrate the people who love you as well, those who see who you are beyond your physical appearance.
DO: Seek Help
When your insecurity is already too much to bear, it’s okay to seek help. Approach a professional and allow them to help you get better. Seek the support of your friends and family as well, and always surround yourself with positive energy.
Being vulnerable might make you feel uneasy at first, but asking for help pays off. Accept your strengths and imperfections, and in the end, you’ll be feeling so much better about yourself because you’ve successfully overcome all your insecurities.
