Physical Self-Love

As we navigate the ups and downs of life, it's easy to forget one of the most important relationships we have: the one with our own bodies. In a world that often showcases external validation and self-criticism, practicing physical self-love can be a powerful act of empowerment. By treating our bodies with kindness, compassion, and respect, we can cultivate a deeper sense of self-worth, confidence, and overall well-being. So let's take a moment to celebrate our incredible bodies and explore some simple yet powerful ways to prioritize physical self-love.

1. Movement For Joy, Not Just Fitness

Exercise is often associated with intensity, physical pain and pushing ourselves to the limit but it doesn’t always have to be this way! Incorporating joyful movement into your routine will help you stay consistent and promote a healthier relationship with exercise.

3 ways to make joyful movement part of your routine:

• Combine Activity with Something You Love - Ex. Watching your favorite show while doing at-home exercise or listening to music or an audiobook on a power walk.

• Include Family and Friends - Bring along a friend or family member on a walk, hike or to the gym with you next time you take on the equipment.

• Make Realistic Goals - Start with baby steps Ex. how far you want to walk that day or how much time you want to set aside for cardio (can look like dance, biking, etc.).

2. Nutrition As Nourishment

Intuitive eating (IE) encourages you to rely on your own internal body cues for hunger and fullness rather than external cues. This helps with eating for physical reasons, instead of emotional ones.

IE is based on the idea that our bodies are intuitive and know what food they need, how much they need, and when they need it to maintain positive health.

• Physical benefits - improved cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammation

• Psychological benefits - improved body satisfaction, decreased depression, and protection against overly restrictive diet messages

3. Skincare and Hygiene

A regular skincare routine can become a daily ritual that calms you and keeps you grounded. This can serve as your time to step outside of a hectic lifestyle, take a deep breath, and put everything on pause for a moment to take care of yourself.

Too often, we neglect the importance of doing small things to make ourselves happy. When you look after your skin, you also learn to prioritize yourself and your well-being!

You can even take the self-care aspect a step further and listen to soothing music or nature noises as you cleanse, tone, exfoliate, and moisturize your face, neck, and chest.

Sources:

DeAngelis, D. (2023, October 20). What is Joyful Movement & How can it help you actually enjoy exercising?. EatingWell. https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8026823/what-is-joyful-movement/

Compton, E. (2018, March 2). Intuitive eating: The non-diet is the best diet: The pursuit: University of Michigan School of Public Health. The Pursuit | University of Michigan School of Public Health. https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2018posts/intuitive-eating.html#:~:text=The%20phrase%20%22intuitive%20eating%22%20was,opposed%20to%20external%20cues2.

The benefits of Skin Care Routines on your mental health - DMGSF. Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco. (2019, May 16). https://www.dermsf.com/the-benefits-of-skin-care-routines-on-your-mental-health/