Just like our minds, our bodies are pretty inescapable.
These feelings are normal and tend to come and go throughout life.
There comes a point, though, when you may be focusing too much on hating your body.
The difference lies in the degree and severity of these behaviors.
Research suggests that feeling dissatisfied with your body can lead to a range of negative mental health outcomes.
This is a major sign that your hatred for your body is taking a toll on your mental health.
You Experience Dysphoria
Dysphoriais a state of feeling uneasy or unhappy.
Dysphoria can come and go, and doesn’t necessarily occur all of the time.
Often, people who experience body dysmorphia see their own bodies differently than other people see them.
Sometimes people with body dysmorphia experience eating disorders, but that isn’t always the case.
While you don’t have to always love your body, it is important to accept it.
If you get upset when people talk about your body, that doesn’t mean you hate your body.
It can help you be a happier person, too.
Practicing it can involve everything from eating more intuitively to not punishing yourself with exercise.
Practicing body neutrality hasnumerous mental health benefits.
It can lead to having more empathy and less judgment towards others, and to lower stress levels.
Thanking our bodiesfor all they do doesn’t have to be expensive or complex.
You could thank your body for its work by taking a nice warm bath.
You could relax for an evening instead of socializing when you feel tired.
You could buy a new lotion and massage your arms and legs while you moisturize.
Anything that you’re free to do to give your body the love it deserves is excellent.
That might involve letting them know what topics of conversation are comfortable for you and which ones aren’t.
It might mean telling them that you don’t want your looks commented on.
Or, it could be sending them information about how to discuss bodies in non-harmful ways.
Whatever you choose, it’s an empowering task that gives you more autonomy with your body.
Even just a few short minutes can have an effect on you for hours afterwards.
However, excessive body hatred and poor body image can have serious effects on your mental well-being.
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