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Not being totally in love with your body is almost the norm these days.
Even psychotherapists admit this goal of being impressed with every part of your bodyall the timeis a bit unrealistic.
Why Is Body Dissatisfaction So Common?
Body dissatisfactioncan be distressingand social media often perpetuates comparison.
But dont fault yourself for having these feelings as you scroll your Instagram feed.
It is a way to try and understand where we stand socially in relation to others, she says.
There are several things to keep in mind as you sift through your favorite social media accounts.
Its so easy to succumb to the narratives and images youre constantly fed online and even plastered onto billboards.
However, there are actionable ways you might start manifesting body acceptance now.
What Is Body Acceptance?
Body acceptance recognizes and embraces bodies of all shapes, sizes, and types, says Hertz.
It pushes against the dominant and unrealistic cultural standard for bodies and beauty.
Body acceptance and body neutrality are often used interchangeably as they share a few similar goals.
I always talk to my clients about their bodies becoming the least important thing about them, says Skop.
Both body acceptance and neutrality remind us that our worth is not tied to our body, she says.
5 Tips to Embracing Your Body
1.
She adds that her clients often respond well to this bang out of cleanse.
Representation matters and it can be a relief to see others who look more like you.
Photo:SHAPE / Getty Images
The more time they spend looking at themselves the more distress this will cause, she says.
Wear Clothes That Fit Well
Roth-Goldberg recommends ditching clothes that are too small.
Its hard to be comfortable when clothes are small.
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When we are uncomfortable, we cannot let go of [thoughts about] our body.
However, this can torment you in the interim and make you think you better change your body.
Create Healthy Dialogue With Yourself
How you speak to yourself caninfluence the way youseeyourself.
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Their inner dialogues may continue saying negative things to themselves about their bodies.
She recommends working on identifying thisself-talkas it arises and then reframing it.
Think about how you would talk to a best friend or even a child, she says.
Hertz encourages welcoming these negative thoughts and letting them pass as opposed to dwelling on it.
Instead, allow thoughts to come up, observe them, and let them pass.
Within 2-3 minutes, my clients have said the intensity of their thoughts lessened.
I like to have clients rate things by a simple thumbs up or thumbs down.
Skop agrees, encouraging you to connect to your body in ways that feel good to you.
The Bottom Line
Accepting your body can be a challenge and that journey is unique to everyone.
Know that help is available to you if you need it.
There is hope you are not beholden to those persistent negative body image thoughts.
The road to healing begins as soon as you say go.
