Creating more happiness and body love is a journey that involves both mental and physical aspects. Here are some of the steps that we use here at Gym Lab and hopefully they might help you on this path too:
Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially when it comes to your body. Replace self-criticism with self-compassion, such as "I am imperfect, but I am worthy of love and respect just as I am."
Positive Self-Talk: Challenge negative thoughts about your body with positive affirmations. Focus on what your body can do and its strengths, "My legs are strong and help me move through life."
Healthy Lifestyle: Adopt a balanced diet and regular exercise routine that makes YOU feel good. Aim for overall health rather than focusing solely on appearance. Choose to eat nutritious wholefoods that nourish your body and engage in exercise that you enjoy.
Mindfulness & Meditation: Practice mindfulness to stay present and reduce stress. Meditation can help improve body awareness and self-acceptance. Practice mindful eating by savouring each bite of your meal, paying attention to flavours, textures and how it makes you feel.
Surround yourself with positivity: Spend time with people who uplift and support you. Eliminate or limit interactions with those who bring negativity. Spend more time with your friends and family who uplift you and make you feel good about yourself.
Gratitude Journal: Keep a journal to note things you're grateful for, including aspects of your body that you appreciate, "I'm grateful for my smile, it brightens my day and others too."
Seek Professional Help: If body image issues are severe or causing distress, consider talking to a therapist or counsellor who specialises in body image and self-esteem. If body images are overwhelming, consult a therapist who specialises in body image and self esteem for guidance and support. The Butterfly Foundation can be contacted on 1300 334 673, who offer a range of support services and resources.
Set Realistic Goals: Set achievable goals for self-improvement and celebrate progress. Instead of setting a strict weight loss goal, set to eat more vegetables and increase your daily step count or come along to one of our fun group exercise classes.
Media Awareness: Be critical of media messages that promote unrealistic beauty standards. Limit exposure to content that triggers negative feelings. Unfollow social media accounts that promote unrealistic beauty standards and follow those that promote body positivity and self-acceptance.
Self-Care: Engage in self-care activities that make you feel good, whether it's reading, spending time in nature or enjoying hobbies. Spend time reading your favourite book, take a leisurely bath, or practicing a hobby like painting (have you tried one of Terra Crafts art classes?) or playing a musical instrument.
Remember the journey toward body love and happiness is personal and takes time. Be patient with yourself and focus on the positive changes you can make in your life.
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