Theme
Body Image
We live in a society saturated with images of ‘ideal’ bodies. It’s not surprising that many people struggle with their body image. We are bombarded with subtle and overt messages that attach our worth to the way that our bodies present in the world. Clever marketers intentionally prey on our insecurities so they can sell us the solution.
It’s nearly impossible for us to avoid internalising this insidious messaging in some way. The result is limiting beliefs like, ‘I can’t accept my body until it’s perfect’, and ‘Gaining weight is wrong’.
These inner beliefs can set us at war with ourselves. To escape this inner torture, we need to give our minds a new script that challenges this negativity. As we start to remind ourselves of just how amazing, functional, and excellent our bodies are, we can slowly start to shift the narrative and begin viewing them with gratitude and acceptance.
If you feel like your body image could use a boost, then check out the ‘Body Image’ theme on the Thinkladder app today and start flipping the script.
Insights from the ‘Body Image’ Theme
This day, this moment, I choose to love and accept my body for all it is and all it does for me. I no longer hate it or judge it. Instead, I am grateful to it for allowing me to love and live on earth.
Practical tips to practice body positivity:
Keep it real: Beauty standards are often unrealistic and unattainable. Challenge these standards by celebrating diversity and embracing your unique qualities.
Practice self-care: Your mind and body are precious. Show them some love by nurturing them with foods that nourish both your body and your taste buds. Take time to move your body in whichever way brings you joy, releasing feel-good hormones. Enjoy regular self-care rituals like having a relaxing bath or going for a walk in nature.
Tune in to positive influences: Surround yourself with people who support and uplift you. If you spend time on social media, try to be intentional about the social media accounts you follow. Social media is saturated with unrealistic ideals around beauty, so make sure you are tapped into accounts that inspire body positivity and self-acceptance.
Reconnect with your body: Engage in activities that make you happy and help you feel confident and grounded in your body, such as dancing, hiking, playing a sport, yoga, stretching, or meditation.
Practise gratitude: Practise gratitude by taking time to focus on the things you are grateful for in your life. Be intentional about appreciating the things you like about your body rather than the things you don’t like. This science-backed practice stimulates feel-good hormones and shifts your headspace for the better.
Seek professional help: If negative body image is affecting your daily life or causing significant distress, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counsellor who specialises in body image issues.
Use Thinkladder: Negative body image is often fuelled by subconscious unhelpful beliefs. Thinkladder can help you to track down these limiting beliefs, and replace them with empowering insights.