Loving the Skin You're In

We often highlight tiny changes in behaviors, such as drinking more water and getting more sleep, when we talk about wellness and self-care. NYC-based therapist Patty Matz to talk about how having a positive body image is a self-care gift you can offer yourself every day. In our society, the beauty, fashion, and diet industries all push the idea that we are not acceptable as we are. Patty deconstructs the idea of an ideal body and offers us practical advice on how to enjoy and love the skin you re in .

Body Love is a positive body image.

Body Love, or having a positive body image, is a gentle and loving appreciation of one's physical self. Body Love entails embracing all aspects of your physical self and accepting that there are no "flaws" or "imperfections" in your body. There is no one-size-fits-all body type to which you must adhere. Instead, there is a magnificent variety of bodily forms and sizes that distinguishes each individual as valuable, important, and lovable. Of course, in our culture of perfectionistic body standards, happy body sensations might be tough to obtain. Many women believe that obtaining a societally designed physical ideal is the fastest way to happiness, prosperity, and life fulfillment. This message appears to be real and powerful, leading to a never-ending quest for the unattainable dream of "perfection" in the body.

Body Shame is the result of a negative body image.

Body dissatisfaction is considered normal among American women, implying that dissatisfaction with physical features is common. If the average American woman is a size 12, most periodicals, movies, and mannequins clearly do not represent her. For some women, unhappiness with their bodies leads to unpleasant and pervasive feelings of body shame.Many women believe they are "not good enough" because they are pressured to adhere to a societally manufactured (read: arbitrary and continuously changing) body ideal. Chronic emotions of inadequacy are the polar opposite of a good self-esteem. The voice of our own inner critic broadcasts negative self-evaluation. Self-criticism, on the other hand, can detract from motivation to strive toward health and wellness goals.

Appreciate and unconditionally love your body.

Can you picture a world where there are no unrealistic and impossible body-perfection standards? Is there a place where you can feel fully at ease in your own skin? Is there a place where embracing one's own body type is the norm? What would it take for you to enjoy your body in its natural state, free of alterations and conditions?Experts in the field of body image offer a variety of approaches that include altering your mentality, changing your behavior, and feeling good about yourself. Changes in your beliefs lead to changes in your conduct, and vice versa, creating a positive upward loop that allows you to be more self-kind.

Experiment with these methods to determine which ones work best for you.

Try your hand at answering these probing questions: What would you do differently if you weren't so concerned about your physical appearance? What would you do with your precious time and energy? Would you concentrate on and develop all of the aspects of your life that offer it richness and meaning?Banish the inner critic, who tries to persuade you that you aren't good enough just the way you are, damaging your self-esteem and happiness. If you catch yourself making negative comments about your appearance, replace them with affirming words of acceptance and love, knowing that you are beautiful just the way you are. Consider creating a mantra or phrase that reminds you to reject to believe in your own inferiority. Don't verbally shame yourself or others, and don't indulge in body shaming. Consider yourself a voice for self-acceptance and self-kindness. You can have a strong influence by educating others about subtle and overt body shaming, which will assist to promote cultural change and a fundamental paradigm shift. Make a statement by writing to businesses and informing them that you respect body diversity in the products and publications you support. Make a gratitude list that includes all of the ways you are glad for parts of your body other than your appearance. What are a few of the amazing things your body can accomplish for you? For the sake of others? Appreciate your power, agility, and ability to enjoy pleasure and spread love to others. Compare yourself to others with caution. This comparison process frequently results in sentiments of inadequacy and inferiority. Replace comparison with appreciation of your own inner traits to decrease the deadly force of comparison. Body love and the desire to alter one's diet and physical appearance can coexist together. It does not imply that you should forsake your fitness or dietary goals. It does imply detaching these goals from feelings of self-worth and lovability. This is a minor but crucial point. The beauty of self-love is valuing yourself just as you are, feeling at ease and content in your own skin. It assists you in realizing that the number on the scale, the size of your jeans, or your food choices today do not reflect your worth, the quality of your relationships, or your overall success in life. Worship your body's temple by recognizing, respecting, and taking extra special care of your one-of-a-kind and gorgeous self.