Understand that true wellness stems more from your relationship with yourself than from strict adherence to exercise routines or eating habits.
When applying discipline to yourself, ensure it stems from a place of love and trust, not fear, self-hatred, or doubt, as negative motivations will not lead to true freedom or lasting positive change.
Cultivate deep self-forgiveness for carrying the burden of feeling responsible for all negative emotions and life’s problems, recognizing that it’s not your fault and releasing that responsibility.
Don’t be suspicious of your body’s desires for comfort; instead, listen to them as deep longings for safety, which can foster self-compassion and lead you towards goodness and an open heart.
Practice embracing, loving, and feeling at home in your body, including its quirks and perceived faults, as this approach fosters freedom and trust, rather than seeking a ‘perfect’ body or self-disgust.
Recognize that there’s no universal wellness recipe; instead, focus on listening to and trusting your body’s specific messages to determine the right amount of exercise or food for you.
Recognize that negative self-talk and body judgments often stem from external, societal standards rather than your own authentic voice, freeing up mental energy for genuine connection and appreciation.
Avoid practices that encourage disgust or hatred towards your body’s ‘unpleasant’ aspects, as these can be harmful and reinforce existing self-hatred rather than leading to liberation in modern culture.
Consciously try things you’re ’not supposed to do’ (like eating a whole bag of chips or over-exercising), but do so with full presence to understand what you like and dislike about the experience and the underlying reasons for the desire, learning through direct experience.
When your eating or exercise routine is interrupted, be open to it as a source of insight, asking yourself what feelings arise, how you can adapt, and how this might foster personal growth.
View deep self-change as a multi-year project or process rather than an immediate fix, which can alleviate pressure and prevent self-judgment if progress isn’t instant.
Acknowledge that turning inward and connecting with your body can be difficult due to discomfort or past trauma, and approach this process with deep self-respect and appreciation for your willingness to try, even for a moment.
Regularly appreciate the incredible, often unconscious functions your body performs (like the endocrine system or brain neurons) instead of solely judging its appearance, recognizing its constant amazing work.
Become aware of comparing your current body to a past version, then intentionally celebrate who you are now, acknowledging the wisdom and experiences your body has accumulated through time as beautiful.
Instead of judging body changes (like post-pregnancy weight), celebrate them as a natural part of life and a sign of what your body has done, reframing the narrative from a problem to something beautiful.
Throughout the day, ask yourself, ‘How can I make my body a little bit more comfortable right now?’ and then act on the answer, which helps bring you into the present and release tension.
To cultivate presence and downregulate your nervous system, focus on feeling just one part of your body (e.g., feet on the floor, wiggling toes, rubbing fingertips), especially if it’s distant from an emotional trigger, recognizing that this is a significant act of self-connection.
When standing in front of the mirror (e.g., after a shower or while brushing teeth), instead of scrutinizing your appearance, intentionally think about and appreciate the incredible things your body does for you.
While showering, touch each part of your body with care, appreciation, and love, transforming a routine task into a gesture of respect and kindness towards your body.
On a day when you’re on the fence about exercising, gently choose not to, and instead, dedicate that time to sitting, meditating, or pausing to be present with the feelings that arise from not exercising, without distraction.
Gently observe where opportunities for change arise, and allow yourself to continue habits that provide a sense of safety until a natural opening appears for further release or change.