Love it: How to practice body gratitude

If you’ve heard of gratitude journals or gratitude challenges, this is like that but with a focus on your body.

We often take our bodies for granted, looking at what we don’t have or what we would like our bodies to do rather than appreciating what we have been blessed with, both in terms of appearance and functionality.

To combat this, let us instill some simple behaviours that will help us establish body gratitude:

1. Exercise to feel good, not to look good. Exercising for aesthetics is a slippery slope, especially as change can be slow to come and difficult to maintain. Instead, focus on moving more daily to improve health. Set simple goals like the ability to walk up a flight of stairs or chase around your children without being winded.

2. Rest when you need it; set your movement goals around your energy levels. For example, you may find you need to take it easier during your period so opt instead for a gentle walk or some stretching.

3. Practice positive affirmations; we often avoid looking at our bodies, particularly the bits you don’t like, but take the time to study your body in the mirror and say something positive about your flaws as they are a sign of all your body has carried you through.

4. Stop comparing; Comparison is the thief of joy so avoid comparing yourself with others.