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Have you ever heard those stories of people who hate themselves so much that they changed for the better? Yeah, me neither. Typically, this can lead to further self destruction. Short term changes can appear to be positive, but they are particularly challenging to stick for the long-term. Why is this? To put it simply, they are missing the self-love component.
Why would we change something we hate so much? Why would you care enough to put to something that you hate? If you had more negative feelings towards someone you were in a relationship with, would you work hard to mend that relationship? It is more likely that you may not.
The same goes for our relationships with our body. So how do we begin to love ourselves and our body? How do we begin to love ourselves enough to make long term positive changes? This article will dive into a list of a few easy steps and key points to help you begin your journey of self-love.
Positive Affirmations
Practicing positive affirmations daily is a great first step in showing ourselves love. Some examples could look “I love my body” “I am beautiful” “I am capable” and “I am strong”. Now this is easier said than done, especially at the beginning since we truly might not believe these things.
If you have difficulty choosing affirmations here is some tips
· Identify the things that we say negatively to ourselves and say the opposite.
· Identify the parts of our body we do not like and describe what they provide for you. For example, “my legs are strong”.
How do you use them? Take some time out every day to practice looking in the mirror and saying them out loud. If this may be too triggering for you, you can start small by saying them out loud without the mirror or even writing them down.
Identify Your Distortions
Typical distortions associated with negative body image and self-doubt include personalization, jumping to conclusions, and catastrophizing. The word “distortion” in situates the thought it not real or valid.
Here is a breakdown of what these may look like
· Regarding personalization, we may think that everything others do or say is related to us.
· In jumping to conclusions, we may try to guess what others will do, say, or think without having any evidence.
· When we are catastrophizing, we may jump to the worst-case scenario as our first thought.
Fight Back
First, you will need to pay attention to when you are thinking with your distortions that are listed above. Think to yourself “what purpose does this thought serve me?”
Does it make you feel better? No? Then we need to change this. Come up with a new thought that makes your feel better and that removes the above distortions. By using these skills daily and being consistent, I truly hope that the above information helps you to lead a happier healthier life.
