Body image is more than just body positivity and focusing on loving your appearance. An important part of body image goes much deeper. There’s nothing wrong with loving the way you look. When you see yourself in a mirror, you should be confident in your appearance and love yourself for exactly who you are. But, it’s even more important to honor the function of your body, not just the form.
So, what does it really mean to love the skin you’re in? How can you truly love every inch of yourself while focusing on what’s inside instead of strictly looking at your appearance?
Health and Wellness Over Weight
Many people who talk about good body image and body positivity focus on accepting a wider range of acceptable weights, body shapes, and sizes. Again, there’s nothing wrong with that. But, loving yourself means taking care of yourself. There are people who are considered overweight but are actually very healthy individuals. If you exercise each day, eat a healthy diet, get enough sleep and prioritize your mental health, you’re truly embracing the “love yourself” lifestyle, no matter what the scale says.
When you associate loving the skin you’re in with only outward appearances and how you look, you could be taking your health as a whole out of the equation.
While some people who are overweight are healthy, others are not. Obesity, as well as being chronically underweight, can lead to a variety of health problems that has nothing to do with how you look.
Instead of focusing on your appearance, no matter your size, focus on how healthy your mind and body really are. Loving yourself is about taking care of yourself from the inside out.
Valuing Your Strength
Another aspect of positive body image and loving the skin your in includes recognizing how strong you are, mentally and physically.
No matter what you look like, you’ve undoubtedly overcome obstacles in your life. Think about what it took to jump over those hurdles, and the strength you had to have to get where you are today.
Value your head that houses your bright mind and intellect, honor your eyes and ears that have seen and heard both the beauty and the horrors of the world, your mouth for receiving nourishment and giving encouragement to others. Honor your shoulders for the heavy burdens they have carried, your vital organs that work unceasingly and in harmony to keep you healthy, and your feet and legs for helping you walk away from harmful influences and towards enriching ones. (Listen hear to my full 10 minutes Body Appreciation Mindfulness Exercise).
By focusing on your strengths and what you’ve been able to accomplish, you’ll boost your self-esteem and confidence. You’ll be more motivated to take on greater challenges and continue a positive cycle of better physical and mental health. When you are able to connect with your inner strength, you are more likely to want to take care of yourself – making good food choices, staying active, socially engaged, etc
Practicing Self-Care
Loving yourself requires a lot of self-care. There are some misconceptions out there that self-care is selfish or just an excuse to lead a lavish lifestyle.
That simply isn’t true.
Self-care is nothing more than a practice of doing something beneficial to your well-being each day. It could include exercising, cooking a healthy meal, journaling, or getting together with a friend.
Think about the people in your life that you love. Chances are, you treat them with respect. You take care of them. You do things for them as often as possible. Having a good body image and “Loving the skin you’re in” means treating yourself the same way. Self-care isn’t selfish. Rather, it should be a priority (Self-care is a Necessity, Not a Luxury, and Self-Care Strategies – More Than Just a Luxury Spa Day).
While the idea of body positivity and loving yourself are great places to start building your confidence, don’t let yourself get lost in appearances alone. You are more than what you look like. Your whole being deserves self-love. Keep that in mind the next time you look in the mirror. You’ll see that you’re worth so much more than “the skin you’re in.”
