Exercise for people with low self esteem regarding body image

[ssandra]

Hi all,

I was just thinking on how I changed my own body image a long time ago, and how now, every time I look in the mirror, the first thing that comes into mind is : "you are pretty!!". Even when my hair looks all wrong, I am sleepy and my eyes look weird.. it is still the first thing that I think.


So, I thought I would share how I did this. It is not an approved method that I know of, but it worked for me

Step 1.

Go to a full length mirror. Stand before it in your underwear (naked will come later.. one thing at the time). Look at your body, really look at it. Identify all that you think is pretty. Don't mention the things that you think are ugly, just look at everything you think is pretty. It can be the little toe on your left foot.. the way your eyes are shaped, your lips, the fact that you have very soft skin...
Touch the area you are thinking about while repeating in your mind "yes, this is a pretty part of me".

Step 2. Good for the skin and good for the self image.
Get a nice smelling body lotion. At least once a week, but better more often, rub yourself with body lotion. For every part that you rub, think of something nice to say. It doesn't matter what it is. For example, if you think your legs are too fat, while you are rubbing think "hmmm this feels nice. It is good to have legs like mine. They carry me anywhere, they feel good under my hands".

Step 3. Have a beauty ritual that makes you touch yourself while looking in the mirror.
For women, combing your hair is a good one. For men, it could be shaving (i'm not sure, since I'm not a guy )
Look at yourself. Look at your hair. Feel the feeling of the hair against the brush. Look at how pretty you are. Think about how pretty you are. Don't pay attention to the bad thoughts, just pay attention to the good things you see in your face.

Step 4. Only do this when you are comfortable with step 1, 2 and 3.
take something you feel bad about. Your nose for example. Examine it carefully. What is it that you don't like about it? The shape? Follow the shape with your finger.. feel how it is part of you face. Find good things to think about your nose (like, how soft the skin is, or even, maybe in the beginning, how much worse it could have been).
For the next few days, every time you see a mirror, look at your nose. See how well it fits you face. Get used to seeing it. Focus on it.
After a while (at least that is how it worked for me) you will not be able to imagine your face any different, with a different nose.

If you feel you are too fat and there for you don't like your body, do the same thing, with body lotion, while you think loving thoughts about the body part that you are touching.

In the beginning it might feel fake, but after a while you will start to believe yourself. You will see the beauty in yourself. Why? Because the negative thoughts are not real. Because you ARE beautiful, you have just forgotten it.

I hope this will be helpful for some of you. I am a big fan of "spoiling" yourself with beauty products. Not because of other people, but to give your body the loving attention it deserves.

Use some scub salts once a week. Massage your body with body lotion every day. Comb your hair with attention and love.

Taking care of your body is not a time waster. It is not something that "has to get done" another tasks on the list. Something to hurry though because you have more important things to do. You don't. Your body carries you though this life. There is nothing more important then taking care of it, on the inside AND OUTSIDE!

Have fun. Explore your body. Discover what a treasure it really is!

[rei]

what a wonderful exercise, Sandra!
i know a lot of people, both men and women, have struggled with body image and acceptance. so, i think it's really great that you offered what has worked for you - i hope folks will consider trying it out

[blossom]

Oh this is awesome ssandra. I love doing this exercise...well it's more of a ritual really. And yes, pampering is a wonderful way of expressing self-love in a wholesome way for our beautiful bodies and all they do for us. Thanks for the reminder

[Mike75]

The first towards achieving happiness is to love ourself. You have taken a great step in the right direction. I wish everyone who feels lousy about themselves do the same.

[ValerieM]

This is great advice, Sandra! I wholeheartedly agree that looking at your body in plain light regularly and often (rather than avoiding it or covering up) does work wonders. I don't ever remember being so unsatisfied with my body, but like most people I have a few things here and there that I didn't like. Over time I've come to accept them, more or less.
I'd definitely have to try the beauty ritual though. Sometimes I'm running around so much that I forget to take the time to do rituals like this..

[Angelique]

Thank you for posting this! This is just what I need right now.