And just like that, summer is almost upon us. Happily, this means longer days, sunshine and warmer temperatures. And with days at the beach comes time to strip off the layers and pull on togs.
While most of us have experienced body hang-ups at times, I would urge you all to ditch the negativity and practise self-acceptance and self-love. Instead of dwelling on things you’d like to change, appreciate what your body is capable of.
As someone wise once told me, you only need two things for a beach body – your body and the beach!
Notice the good things about your body
Appreciate all the amazing things your body can do for you – breathe, walk, run, dance, laugh, carry children and so much more! When you shift your mindset and focus on what you love about your body, you can make a conscious effort to move away from your harsh self-judgement and focus on the strengths.
Prune your social media
Unfollow any accounts that make you feel bad about yourself. If your entire feed is highly edited and shows only “perfect” images, this can lead to a warped view of what’s real. Instead, take inspiration from real-life women who inspire you to nourish your body, mind and soul. This will help your own motivation to look after yourself, rather than indulge in unhealthy comparisons.
Celebrate yourself
Healthy is an outfit that looks different on every body. We all have a unique shape and if you took a group of women and gave them all the same exercise and meal plan, they’d not look the same at the end.
Think about what a healthy body is for you – typically one that is nourished with plenty of water, good food, lots of sleep and exercise. When you embrace your body, you can focus on the things you love.
No shortcuts
It’s at this time of the year that we often see ads for quick fixes, crash diets, detoxes and cleanses. But being healthy is a lifestyle – it’s about taking care of yourself every single day of the year. Fad diets or unrealistic goals are rarely helpful – instead, set up healthy habits to stick with for a lifetime.
Enjoy positive people as much as possible
Surround yourself with friends and family who make you feel good about yourself. Energies are contagious, and being around people who support and love you just as you are is great for mental health. If the people around you make you feel bad about yourself, think about spending less time with them.
