Learning to love the skin you're in!

As the holidays near, many people find themselves focusing on thankfulness and gratitude. While it's easy to focus on what we are thankful for all around us, it's more difficult to thank our bodies for all it does to keep us healthy and happy. It's easy to complain about feeling sore, achy, tired, and sick. It's also easy to point out those beautiful lines on our faces, or the sagging parts that are no longer where they used to be! I looked in a full length mirror some months back and realized my thighs were falling around my knees...I was horrified at first! After some thought, I was thankful that those knees are still able to hold my body up, even if they don't look magazine ready. So how do we shift our thinking to appreciate the skin we're in? It seems almost natural to notice our flaws before we notice the good in ourselves. 

I once read a book called, "Change Your Brain, Change Your Thinking" that was all about the power we hold within ourselves to change our inner dialogue. Here are some ways to change your stinking thinking.

1. Affirmations-as weird as it may seem to talk to yourself, it can actually help! Write down a positive thought and tape it to your bathroom mirror or the visor in your car. Every time you see it, read it aloud and focus on its meaning. 

2. Meditation-take some time everyday to sit in silence and think about the inner workings of your body. Appreciate how it is a finely tuned machine that can heal itself and perform the tasks you need it to.

3. Stop comparing yourself to others-seriously, just stop! Everyone is imperfect! We need to learn to embrace our imperfections, because they truly make us who we are!

4. Pamper yourself-treat yourself to something..something that is just for you. Tell yourself you deserve whatever it is!

5. Learn to live in the now-constantly thinking about the future only leads to anxiety and worry. If you can focus on the present..you will enjoy it so much more. 

6. Remind yourself that you are loved-it may not be the guy/girl you had your heart set on, but you are loved by people who can see the wonder in you! People who can take you at your best and your worst and love you throughout it all. 

7. Be yourself- that means not aiming to please others by putting on a happy face or acting a way they would want. Learn to embrace your quirks, your humor, your intelligence..and don't ever compromise your true meaning for another person!

8. Laugh!!! Laugh a lot! Life is too short to be serious all the time! Whether it be a friend, a partner, a coworker, or a movie..if you are having a bad day, find the funny! It can change your stinking thinking faster than you know!

9. Learn to be alone-A dear friend has made me realize the importance of being able to be comfortable in our own skin all on our own. Nothing in life is permanent. Therefore, it is so important to know that you have the ability to make yourself happy.

10. Realize that our bodies are temples-treat them as such. Harming yourself in any way at all is only going to destroy that temple. This does not only mean to eat well, exercise, and rest..it means to learn to love yourself so that your positive thoughts can perpetuate the power our bodies hold. 

11. Every time you say something negative about yourself, immediately follow it up with something positive. This forces us to find the good in ourselves and it takes your thoughts away from the negative. 

Big hugs!