How To Improve Your Relationship With Your Body

Within a world fixated on body-shaming, I share my advice on how to practice body positivity; an essential to improving your relationship with your body

In a world of consistent body shaming, sometimes you need to take a deep breath and focus on the strength of your body. Image credit: Unsplash

Did you know that 70% of women between the ages of 18-30 and 45% of men are dissatisfied with their bodies?

But how can you improve your own relationship with your body? One way I suggest is through body positivity!

What is body positivity?

While the term "body positivity" is rapidly becoming a part of our everyday language, there remains some confusion around what exactly it is.

At its core, body positivity consists of appreciating, respecting and accepting our bodies as they are, including the functions and activities they do.

More specifically, body positivity includes:

• Appreciating unique aspects of one’s body 

• Gratitude for the functions a body can perform

• Admiration for parts and features of the body, even if they differ from societal ideals

• Comfort and confidence within one’s body

• A focus on the positives rather than perceived imperfections or flaws

• A rejection of negative images or information about bodies

Body positivity is a process and requires the practice of self-compassion and acceptance.

While the process of body positivity and acceptance is most certainly difficult, it can lead to improved well-being and mental health and encourage society to be more inclusive and accepting.

How do you achieve body positivity?

There are many ways you can achieve body positivity, but it does require daily effort and practice.

The tasks might seem easy, but our ego can often get in the way - we end up procrastinating and putting it off! You need to remain persistent and focused: remind yourself that you will benefit from putting the effort in and that you are safe.

13 ways to achieve body positivity:

• Positive affirmations

• Stop comparing body sizes

• Focus on health not size/weight

• Surround yourself with the right people

• Focus on things you like about yourself

• Remove all negative talk about yourself

• Remove all toxic social media

• Plenty of self-care and looking after yourself

• Daily movement

• Journaling out any worries or stresses

• Daily gratitude for what your body does and everything else good in your life

• Reach out to a friend or family and share your thoughts

• Eat plenty and have a balanced diet

Practice daily gratitude for what your body does for you. Image credit: Unsplash

Unfortunately, we live in a society of body shaming and unrealistic body goals. There is a huge pressure to be a certain way and trends constantly change directions like the wind; one day it's all about being size 0 and the next, having a bum like Kim Kardashian is more fashionable. It's impossible!

Be yourself and the rest will follow.

Elle x