Our body. There are many things we dislike about him, and too often we forget how much we owe him. We have selected several effective ways to build a relationship with your own body.
Often we express dissatisfaction with our body: it is not slim enough, toned, the nose is too big, the skin is dull … The list of our own imperfections is always ready. But do we thank him for the path that he is making?
Of course, if you are sick and your body is failing, it is more difficult to do this. But even in these moments, you can realize that the body is doing everything possible to cope with the trouble, and feel respect and gratitude for it.
We are, among other things, our corporality, with all its forms, features, sensations. Therefore, we are free to criticize our body, striving for ideals, or gratefully accept the fact that we will not have another body and start taking care of it. And also – to enjoy it and take a step towards truly loving yourself.
To begin with, assess how your opinion of your own body affects your happiness, self-esteem, sexuality and identity. Do you respect your body or are you angry that it doesn’t fit your size 42 fantasies? Perhaps it’s time to make peace with your physical self.
1. Speak out your feelings. Find a time when no one will disturb you. Left alone with yourself, undress and stand in front of a mirror (it is desirable that it be full-length). Looking at yourself carefully, speak out loud about everything you see. Speak out all the feelings and thoughts that come to mind, both positive and negative, about each part of your body. For example: “I’m proud of my hair, but my ears seem to stick out a little and I really don’t like my nose.”
Notice the degree of negative and positive feelings about every single aspect of your body: shape, texture, color. This will help you track the dynamics in the future.
2. Write a letter to your body. Express gratitude, disgust, admiration or dissatisfaction – whatever you feel in relation to your body. See if your body is serving you well. This exercise is especially helpful for those who live with a serious illness or disability.
3. Make peace with your body. Repeat the first exercise consecutively for 10 days, trying to accept your body more and more. Then write a new, more positive letter, promising your body to respect and appreciate it.
4. Reflect and write down everything you know about your body and how it affects your behavior, sexuality, self-confidence and perception of yourself in general. Where do you get these beliefs? Perhaps it’s time to revisit them.
5. Stop yourself when you have negative thoughts about your body. To do this, it is important to learn to notice the moments when these thoughts are just beginning to creep in, and to change your own assessments.
Do you think your thighs are too big? Perhaps they are feminine and rather speak of your strength and health. The pallor of your skin is just a sign of aristocratic roots, and the bump on your nose is what your husband loved you for.
Learn to treat yourself with humor – you will see that your body will thank you.
6. Respect for your body means, among other things, taking care of it. Most likely, you carefully choose what you will feed the mind: books, exhibitions, films. Choose what will saturate your body.
While doing self-development, do not leave your body aside – find an activity to your taste that will allow you to keep it in good physical shape.
7. Focus on the sensations. The body is a source of pleasant sensations and pleasure, it allows us to discover our sexuality and enjoy it. Only when you learn to accept your body with all its imperfections can you enjoy it more fully. Discarding thoughts of shortcomings, learn to concentrate on sensations.
8. Learn to listen to your body and never compare it. neither with ideals, nor with girlfriends, nor with yourself in the past. No one will ever have such a body again. Allow yourself to recognize this uniqueness and begin to live in harmony with it.