As Spring starts to wrap up, summer slowly gets closer, and as the weather gets warmer, the layers start to come off. It is very common that “swimsuit season”, “hot girl summer”, or “the time for a beach body” is a time and trend that can put a lot more focus on your appearance and possibly other people’s appearances too, which can make you feel more self-conscious. So now is the time to guard our hearts, and prepare ourselves well in order to combat these negative body image thoughts and be kind to ourselves this summer.
First, let’s get our facts straight: To have positive body image doesn’t mean to feel good about your body all the time, rather positive body image is relating to your body is positive ways regardless of how you look.
It important to understand how you think, act, and feel towards your body. Once you’ve identified how you view our body, you can actively work towards improving your inner dialogue and motivation towards more body love. Check out my FREE Affirmation Worksheet. The Affirmation Worksheet goes over identifying your body perception and detailed mantras to practice daily.
Body and food freedom includes needing to change the way you think about food, your body, and other bodies. Over the years, diet culture, our society, people in our lives, and even our minds have brainwashed us to believe certain things about food and our bodies.
With this, it is important to set boundaries in order to support your mental health. We are surrounded by many different societal and cultural influences that impact the way we feel towards our body. A great way to prepare yourself this summer is to take a break from social media or unfollow “influencers” or accounts that make you feel insecure, shameful, or self-conscious. Here are some more ways to help honor your body this summer:
Respect your fullness and hunger cues by focusing on how you are feeling not how you look.
Make time to do things that make you feel good.
Wear clothes that fit and make you feel comfortable and confident in your skin.
Affirm yourself of the simple positive things your body does for you, regardless of appearance, and thank your body.
When you start changing the way you speak to yourself, the way you see yourself will change. Respecting your body through intuitive eating, physical movement, and positive self talk is more effective than always trying to feel love for your body.
Appearance is the least important thing about us. You are smart, kind, funny, hardworking, thoughtful, a mother, a father, a sister, and your personality shines bright! You are more than what you look like, and you are more than what you eat. You are more than just a body!
I hope this is a great reminder and motivating as we prepare ourselves to step into this next summer season!
Note: If you are struggling with negative body image, body hate, or unhealthy habits surrounding food, please reach out to us. Dallas Nutritional Counseling and their team of dietitians have so many resources for you to get the help you need. Click HERE to go to our main page.