Improve your body image with 5 simple mindfulness practices
The most amazing thing about humans is that each of us are completely unique. With the exception of identical twins/triplets/so on, we each have our own genetic makeup, setting us apart from the billions of others on this earth. That’s a pretty cool thought, you are one of a kind! Yet, a lot of us struggle to accept the things that make us different and a lot of people want what they don’t have. We try to live up to the ideal image painted by society, but this is unrealistic because the perfect person doesn’t exist. You can stretch and cut and alter your body as much as you want but until you are happy with what’s inside, you will never be satisfied with what’s on the outside.
Each of us can find it within ourselves to be happy with our appearance, it just takes a little conditioning, TLC and a lot of acceptance. The following are 5 mindfulness practices that you can use everyday to improve your body image.
Remember that nobody is perfect. Each of us have flaws and everyone makes mistakes, but that is how we learn and grow. I can guarantee that almost everyone has something that they don’t like about themselves. Your hair is thinning, you’re too short, your teeth are yellow, your thighs are fat, you have dark arm hair, you sweat too much, whatever it is, it is normal. It is you. We are all so perfectly imperfect and that is what’s so special.
Acknowledge your own beauty. You are full of curiosity, love, passion and you are driven to find success in life, that is beauty to me. The second we accept who we are and let our inner beauty shine, we open a door to endless possibilities. When we embrace our inner goddess and allow our light to shine, confidence takes over and we begin rocking all that makes us individual.
Find confidence in yourself, not from others. With the popularity of social media on a rise, it is easy to lose sight of who is sitting behind the screen. In the virtual realm, we can be anything we want to be and others will view us the way we want them to. Try deleting some of the apps you find yourself mindlessly wandering to on a daily basis. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube can all be utilized on your desktop, which constructively limits your mobile screen time. Disconnecting from the virtual world can help us reestablish our awareness and allow more time for self-discovery beyond what evidently surrounds us.
Practice self-care. It is so important to maintain a steady fitness routine and to focus on healthy eating. Whether your exercise is through yoga, running, hiking, dancing, walking or any other form, one must practice consistency. Physical activity can do wonders for our mental wellbeing by releasing chemicals in the brain that promote relaxation and happiness, giving you an overall boost of confidence. Working out and eating well go hand in hand, so it is important to identify nutrition goals. Eating nutrient dense food, packed with vitamins will help you maintain regularity both in energy levels and mood. It is amazing what a little self-love can do for the body and mind. When you focus your attention on caring for what is inside, your love and appreciation for what is on the outside begins to flourish.
Make affirmation your best friend. Give yourself credit where it is deserved, and find comfort in tolerating positive feedback. We tend to be our own worst critic, but positive self-talk is tremendously important when focusing on improving body image. The way others perceive us is a direct reflection of how we view ourselves. Begin the day with some positive affirmations of what is to come, and finish the day by reflecting on the positives. In the beginning, this may feel unnatural, but with time it will become a part of your daily routine.
Consciously Connected Travel holds monthly women only retreats in Morocco, in which we practice various forms of mindfulness. We strive to empower women by giving them the tools to reach a deeper level of self-understanding. CCT believes in conscious tourism and puts an emphasis on cultural travel. We aspire to travel with purpose, meaning we know and understand an area before traveling there and seek to better the communities that we visit.