Creating A Gratitude Practice Can Directly Improve Your Body Image
Last year I had just gotten back from a week on the East Coast- we split our time between my family in Florida, before driving up to see my sister-in-law in Charleston.
We had a freakin' blast eating delicious food, playing games, catching up with friends & trying not to melt in the end of summer heat (for real).
My sister took me to a bouldering gym (which…have you tried this?? so much fun).
I persuaded Paul to start listening to an audiobook with me (The Paper Palace...an epic novel that we're devouring).
AND I started watching The Great British Baking Show, which I'm officially obsessed with (who would I be if not late to a trend?).
Back in San Diego ***grounding*** before fun wedding festivities and a trip to Santa Barbara + LA the following week with my in-laws.
Client sessions, podcast recording, guest speaking, and the typical "running a business" + life tasks in between...
Needless to say, my nervous system was in overdrive- I'm feeling all of the emotions from these sensory experiences. This lights me up. It fills my soul, but is also exhausting if I don't have a strong pulse on it…something that I've learned in taking care of myself as a Highly Sensitive Person (p.s. we've talked all about HSPs on the podcast- an episode you won't want to miss).
Ex. I was journaling this morning on the prompt "favorite life memories" and was completely overcome with happy tears (if there was a camera you would have died- me face down on the floor laughing, crying, smiling. Comically cathartic to say the least).
I never used to be able to express my emotions this deeply when I was deep into my food + body preoccupation. The experience gave me an opportunity to reflect on my own journey and a little nudge to share a reminder of just how powerful practicing gratitude can be.
When we focus on what we're grateful for, it elevates our overall mood and helps to attract more great things into our life.
This is a research-based skill that I'm sure you have evidence of in your own life...
Just take a moment to think back to a time when you made a conscious choice to express gratitude.
Did you notice anything else shifting around you?
How was your outlook on life?
What was the response that was created in your body?
Developing a gratitude practice is not a prescription to bypass emotions. It doesn't require meditation, journaling, or any other "tool" that you might be thinking of.
The tool itself is actually created through consciously pausing and choosing to shift your thoughts at the moment. All of the other things that I just mentioned are ways to enhance this skill if you desire.
And practicing gratitude can be a game-changer when it comes to healing our relationship with food and our body.
Creating space to actively appreciate our environment beyond what we're eating or how we look slowly begins to release the pressure + preoccupation over time.
If you've ever heard the expression “your vibe attracts your tribe” or “the energy you put out is the energy you get back”…you can see there's so much truth in this.
So this week I'm setting the intention to lead with gratitude for all of the experiences, stressors, and slow moments in between. I invite you to do the same and would love to hear what you discover.
P.S. If you’re ready for even more tools, resources, and ideas to feel more present in your life be sure to download my free Body Acceptance Starter Kit.
