How to Cultivate a Healthier Relationship with Your Body

While it is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of self-love, learning to foster a healthy relationship with one's body is one that results in countless positive repercussions. Although each person can find elements of their body difficult to accept and manage, there is nothing to be gained by viewing one's body with anything other than compassion. Here are some guidelines to help anyone struggling with body image nurture a more empathetic relationship with their body.

Watch the Language around Body Related Topics

Words carry more meaning than most are ready to admit so the first change to implement is how one speaks about one's body. Although it's important to be kind and compassionate when commenting on the bodies of those around us, it is equally crucial to use only positive words to describe our own. Calling one's body "disgusting" or "fat" instead of using less harsh words such as "unfit" or "curvy" can make a big difference in how someone processes feelings about their body. It may also be helpful to learn more about body positivity principles as this movement has helped those with weight gain issues combat their negative self-talk and embrace their imperfect forms.

Reframe Negative Body Image Thoughts and Feelings

Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT is another strategy one can use to reframe the negative thoughts about the body that crop up at all hours of the day. Thoughts can be a powerful motivator as well as a deterrent to taking the right action so working with a therapist with CBT experience can help anyone restructure the negative beliefs they have around body image into more positive thoughts and beliefs. Those with an interest in learning CBT reframing skills on their own will find countless online resources, courses and lessons on YouTube.

Eat Well instead of Eating Right

Imposing strict rules when it comes to diet can also negatively impact one's relationship with the body as deprivation becomes the top priority. This is unhelpful in terms of both attitude as well as a strategy for losing weight or maintaining a healthy body as it's less about eating "right" than it is about eating "well." All bodies regardless of size, shape, desirability and age require nourishment and it is a lifestyle choice to create a healthy diet instead of a fat-free or weight-reducing eating regimen.

Adopt a Supportive Diet

Those who are relying on exercise routines to lose weight and improve fitness must also change their attitude towards food and dining. Instead of binge eating carbs, trans fats and sugary foods and then burning off the calories with intensive workouts, the goal should be to adopt a healthy diet that supports one's fitness goals. This means eating decadent foods in moderation and replacing unhealthy food options with nutritious alternatives that one doesn't have to burn calories off after consumption.

Let Go of Outcomes

Whether one is spending a week at Elysia Wellness Retreat or any similar health and wellness retreats in Australia or is embarking on a new fitness plan, it's crucial to let go of outcomes. This is the one time when being result-oriented is not recommended as the time and work required to reach weight loss goals differs from person to person. There's' no predicting how one's body will react to certain exercise routines, activities and diets so it's necessary to do the work but let go of expectations as it is a more sustainable method to stay focused in spite of the results.

Don't Skip Meals

Skipping meals is an act of self-hate and one that does not improve one's relationship with food and the body. Don't sign up to follow diets that enforce unnatural dining schedules or ones that encourage skipping meals and performing extreme detoxes and juice cleanses as these practices can have adverse side effects.