How To Thank Your Body
Happy Thanksgiving! Have you ever thanked your body for all it does for you?
Do you know how you can be thankful to yourself? Let’s look at ways we can be more internally + externally grateful!
MAKE A GRATITUDE LIST
What do you appreciate about your body? Do you love that it -
…moves you where you need to go?
…reacts to pain to let you know you’re in danger?
…lets you experience pleasure?
…dances to your favorite music?
…allows you to express your emotions + thoughts?
Talk positively to your body! You’re both playing on the same team, so why not try to enjoy the life you have in the body you’ve been given?!
MOVE IT, MOVE IT!
One of the best ways to thank your body is to MOVE IT!
Get your blood pumping, release your endorphins, and boost your immune system. Most of all, you can move through your emotions by moving through them. Moving your body increases strength, flexibility, and ability to take on more endurance, which can correlate to your mental health strength!
Happy body = happy mind!
HUG YOURSELF / LOVE YOURSELF
You know how hugs with loved ones give us the feeling that we could melt away? Touch is a basic need, but sometimes we don’t have access to a friend, family member, partner to make us feel warm inside. You’re your own loved one, too! Research from 2015 suggests the hormone oxytocin, released with soothing touch, may play a role in pain relief. It can also help you feel more comforted + safe, with the pressure of your arms, especially with emotional intention to love yourself!
DON’T PUNISH YOUR BODY
If you find yourself obsessing over weight, skipping meals, overexercising, overeating, or anything that includes thinking negatively about yourself, you might not have the healthiest relationship with your body. First, listen to your thoughts. Are you unhappy with the way things are going in your personal life? Do you have goals you want to meet but you’re feeling unfulfilled? Are you worried about other people’s perceptions of you? Here’s some ways to break the cycle of punishment:
Practice forgiveness to yourself. You’re human - you’re not perfect!
Reward yourself (don’t hold yourself back from enjoyment)!
Keep up with gratitude practices (a journal, talking to yourself, meditation, etc)
Don’t spend time with people who make you feel more negative about yourself
TREAT YOURSELF
Chill out! Moving your body is great, but so is a little R + R (rest + relaxation).
Take a warm bath
Cozy up with some comfy blankets on the couch
Watch the sunset on your porch
Meditate
Sleep (a nap or a good night’s, of course)
Relieve your pain with an Ortho-Bionomy® session with Colene Doucette
NOURISH YOUR BODY
What does it mean to nourish your body? Does that mean eating healthy every meal? Does that mean avoiding “bad” foods? Does that mean eating on a schedule? Nope! Eat what you like! Aim to eat healthy, but don’t be too stressed about being perfect. Everything can be enjoyed in moderation! Your body needs energy to keep moving. Eat when you’re hungry, drink water when you’re thirsty, and listen to your body; If it doesn’t like what you feed it, it’ll tell ya!
Sources:
https://www.colorado.edu/health/2021/02/11/mental-health-moving-your-body
https://www.healthline.com/health/hugging-self
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/self-punishment#self-compassion
https://www.thrivinspirednutrition.com/blog/2020/5/22/4-tips-for-nourishing-your-body-without-feeling-like-youre-on-a-diet