Art of Celebrating your Body

Celebrating ART OF your body

Here are ten ways that will help you accept and embrace the body you are in…

Stop peer-comparison: We naturally compare down – even in your thoughts, because this is just as negative ourselves to our peers, but try and gain some awareness over this as saying or writing body shame related comments. instinct because it leads to unnecessary competitiveness and often makes us feel bad about ourselves. Stop the restrictions: If Stop self-comparison: feel good in it then be bold and wear it. How many times have you looked at old photographs and pined over your Work on younger, tighter, smoother body? Many of us have been there – but it improving your is non-productive behaviour. Instead body right now work on improving your body right now, so you can be the best version of yourself… this does not mean being the same as fifteen years ago – but there is no reason why it couldn’t mean being better.

Stop celebrity

comparison: These types of comparisons are usually based on images that have been airbrushed or taken in very flattering lighting. Celebrities generally have more support when it comes to their figures including personal trainers, prepared meals and even plastic surgeons. Celebrities are human although it sometimes doesn’t seem it, and no doubt many have self-image challenges too.

Stop body shaming anyone: Stopping comparison and opting to celebrate your own body doesn’t include body shaming anybody else. Everyone is on their own journey and just because you may or may not be looking and feeling your best, there are no reasons to put other people you want to wear something and you

Celebrate BLUSH | HEALTH & FITNESS Kim-Maree Just because we are conditioned in certain societies to only wear a bikini for example if we are less than a size ten, doesn’t mean it is law. Rock whatever you feel expresses your true self. Celebrate in private: Take your time in the shower to wash methodically, and feel a sense of appreciation towards each limb, and even your internal organs. Allow this to create a celebration ritual daily and you will begin to look at your body very differently. Also, when you are bathing in the bath, consider it time out for your body when you can really allow it to rest and hydrate. Treat yourself to a home spa experience with a candle, bubble bath and even a glass of crisp cucumber spring water. Wear lovely underwear that makes you feel special even underneath your work clothes. Celebrate in public: Be brave at the pool and beach to wear your favorite swimwear and hold yourself confidently. Be proud of your body because it is your friend and is with you for life. Hire a wardrobe stylist who can assist you choosing clothes that really flatter your shape as well as suit your lifestyle, and complement your character. Celebrate the skin: Our skin is the largest organ of the body and we can often neglect it. We need to nurture it. Drinking water, eating fresh foods, and protecting it from the elements show some level of gratitude towards our skin. Embracing the tone, type and quality of skin is also important. Our skin can act as a signal for other health problems and so pay attention to any rashes or pimples and so on. Metaphysically we can keep some skin conditions at bay by staying calm and feeling safe and being grateful for the body we are each living in. Celebrate mobility: Unless we have experience of certain disability or injury, then we often take for granted basic movements that our bodies do. Appreciate the functioning and mobility of your body always, every day. This could be when you are doing sport or it could be something small like being able to use your hands. If you have ever experienced pulling a muscle or breaking a bone, or the aftermath of surgery such as Caesarean then you would be aware of the impact a small change can have. Celebrate narrative: Compliment your body parts. It may feel weird but choose a body part and say something good about it. If it is more natural for you to put yourself down, then this may be a tricky one – but it also means you will need it more. So write the compliments on sticky notes if you have to and stick them on the mirror – maybe stand there in front of your naked self and truly embrace all that is you. If negative phrases come to mind simply reverse them and use them as your compliments and while you are at it, find things about others that are positive and share your thoughts. By Jordan P Martin