Feeling Good about Your Body

By: Sara Clancy, B.A.
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Sometimes it's hard to feel good about our bodies these days. All around us, we see images and hear messages about how we should look. But what if we don't look like that? We know that people have diverse body types, various bone structures, unique genetics. But this doesn't always help. Feeling that our bodies don't "match up" to what we perceive as the "ideal" body can make us feel pretty bad about our figures, and ourselves. We might find ourselves cutting out foods that we used to enjoy or feeling guilty about eating them. We may find ourselves criticizing parts of our bodies that we don't like, or working to slim down or to put on more muscle. If we don't measure up, we try to change ourselves. It is important to remember that both men and women can feel dissatisfied with their bodies. The following are some ideas to help you feel positive about your unique, strong, dynamic, and beautiful body.

• Listen to your body

• Treat your body with compassion and respect

• Play and be active! Have fun! Remember to also give your body enough rest!

• Smile at yourself in the mirror

• Appreciate and celebrate all of the amazing things that your body can do for you-running, dancing, breathing, laughing, dreaming!

• Keep a top-10 list of things you like about yourself that are NOT related to your weight or your appearance. Read your list often, and add to it as you become aware of more things to like about you. There is a lot there!

• Choose not to focus on specific body parts when you look at yourself in the mirror. There is so much more that is amazing about you than what is simply skin deep. Smile, and remember you are a whole person. Remind yourself when you feel good about yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and openness that makes you truly beautiful, inside and out.

• Become a critical viewer of social and media messages you may hear that make you feel bad about yourself or your body. When these messages perk up that voice in your head that tears you down and tells you that there is something wrong with you or your body, build yourself back up. Check out the top ten list you made. Surround yourself with positive images and supportive people who help you feel good about yourself and your body. Be one of these supportive and compassionate people for yourself.

• Do something nice for yourself -- something that lets your body know you appreciate it. Take a bubble bath, dance, jump around, move your body in a way that feels good!

• Do something nice for someone else. Help make a positive change in this world!

Always, always, celebrate the strength, power, and wonder of YOU.