Mental Health Awareness Week 2019

It's Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK with the theme this year being Body Image.

Body Image.

A topic I imagine most of us have dealt with at various levels. Over time we've been socially conditioned to put so much emphasis on having a certain body image/type/size/shape to then relate to our own success and worth.

It's a tough thing to fight against.

Right now I probably feel good about my body about 90% of the time, which is probably quite high for most women and I do definitely have days where I dislike aspects of myself.

Of course we should all want and have the right to feel the best we can in our own bodies.

Feel confident, sexy, soft, proud, happy...

But that doesn't look like one thing on every person. And it takes time and perseverance to battle those inner demons that have been working against you and your body for so long.

But I thought I'd share a few things I know can help me feel good about my body:

1. Do not compare your body to anyone else's. We are all different, and that's the best bit about being human! Some of us will never be taller, shorter, have a big chest, bum or tiny waist. Own your body and appreciate it for what it is.

2. Wear clothes that make you feel good. Whether that is a power suit for work, your favourite jeans or underwear.

3. Exercise! Exercise releases endorphins. Plus the more consistently you work your body in your chosen sport/fitness routine, the more you'll see positive change and progress. And become proud of your body for what it can do AND how it looks.

4. The most important one. Stop judging yourself, and others, based on appearance. Most of the time you might not realise you're doing it, but next time you have a negative thought about yourself/someone related to how they look... Stop yourself, and think. Open your eyes and see what an incredible, talented person you/they really are.

Even with these tips, you may have good days where you feel confident as hell about your body, and also still have days where you don't like what you see in the mirror. You might have days where you feel pretty indifferent as well. It takes time to reconfigure our own brains against what we've been taught for years, and learn to love and appreciate our bodies.

Because it's not just about loving yourself 100% of the time 24/7. It's learning to respect and care for the one body we have to live in for the rest of our lives.

Eilidh Brown

Simply Moving Personal Training