10 Reminders For When You’re Having A Bad Body Day

Everyone feels less than attractive once in a while. No matter who you are or what you look like, you’re going to have days when you don’t like your appearance. Rather than looking in the mirror in disgust and engaging in negative self-talk, remember these simple facts:

1. You are so much more than a body.

Yes, your physical form is how you move through the world, but it doesn’t represent you as a whole. You are a fascinating, complex creature of thoughts, feelings, actions, and decisions. The body you inhabit is simply a shell for everything that lies inside. Remember that your outer form is a tiny, rather inconsequential portion of yourself as a whole.

2. Your body is a beautiful miracle of nature.

That being said, also take the time to appreciate everything that this shell does for you. You use it constantly and almost always take for granted the many functions it performs without you consciously controlling it. When you really stop to think about how a body works, it’s a pretty incredible process. Instead of feeling crappy about how it looks, frame your thoughts from the perspective of gratitude for its capabilities.

3. You will not always feel this way.

It has passed before, and it will again. Your feelings about your body ebb and flow just like they do with everything else. Sit with it, breathe, and do something that makes you feel good about yourself. Before you know it, the sadness and frustration will subside. They always do.

4. You only hurt yourself by hating your body.

Think of it this way – a negative perspective about yourself changes absolutely nothing about your physical state. You can engage in mean self-talk, but when it comes down to it, your body is exactly the same as it was before you did so. The only way to actually change the way you look and feel is through positivity and action, so why bother with all the rest? It’s a waste of energy.

5. You would never talk about another person’s body the way you talk to yourself about your own.

As you are in the middle of judging your body, stop and imagine that you are saying those same words out loud to a dear friend. It’s appalling to think of actually voicing them, right? Now, you wouldn’t say those horrible things to someone else. Why do you say them to yourself? You can either be your own best friend or worst enemy – the choice is entirely in your hands.

6. You are better than the negativity.

Sometimes you may need to sit with the bad feelings and let them pass in their own time. Be gentle with yourself. When you can – if you can – remember who you are. You are a beautiful badass who has no space for toxic emotions. Life is tough enough without you being so hard on yourself as well.

7. Your body does best when it is nourished and loved.

Ironically, when you are bogged down in the worst judgment of yourself, you probably don’t cope by engaging in healthy habits. Instead of drowning your sorrows in alcohol or junk food, give your body the clean nutrition it craves. Rather than lying in bed all day and moping, get some fresh air and move your muscles. Nature puts everyone in a better mood, and using your body functionally reawakens your appreciation of what it can do.

8. You notice the tiny “flaws” that no one else sees.

Everyone does this, so once again get out of your head and pay attention to the way others around you behave. Think about any time a person close to you has complained about something that makes them self-conscious. Most of the time you don’t even notice what they’re talking about. The same, then, goes for you. You create anxiety over nothing more often than not. Even if someone else does notice something that bothers you, so what? It is your body and your life, and they are in no position to judge.

9. You are wasting your precious time by being so hard on yourself.

Life is short, so it makes no sense to spend it feeling unhappy with your physical state. Keeping this in mind, try to let go of as much negativity as humanly possible while still remaining gentle in your treatment of yourself. Remind yourself that time is your most valuable commodity. How do you want to spend it? Honestly, probably not in a state of self-loathing.

10. You are enough exactly as you are.

No matter what you may think in moments of weakness or sadness, you do not have to be anything else but yourself. Stop listening to the noise that tells you how you should be and start falling in love with your true nature. There is no one else like you in this entire world. That’s an amazing concept when you stop to truly consider it. Breathe, feel, and let yourself be. Know that the harsh emotions will pass, and you will still be here standing strong. You are so much more than your temporary uncertainties.