Focus on body function for better body image

How often have you criticised your body for the way it looks without a thought for what your body DOES?

In a society that is obsessed with aesthetics, it’s easy to forget that your body is more than an ornament.

AND, according to a study published in June 2018, focusing on your body function is a great way to improve body image.

So in this post, I’m exploring how you can learn to value what your body does for you each and every day.

Watch or read below:

Body function over form

We live in a society that idealises thinness and has a very limited view of beauty.   Because of this, it’s easy to focus on what your body looks like, and believe it needs to change to be β€˜acceptable’.

But chasing this ideal is exhausting and largely unattainable.  The active pursuit of this ideal does not result in better body confidence.

Instead, striving for the ‘perfect’ body is more likely to result in body hate than acceptance.

And according to a recent study published in the journal Body Image in June 2018, focusing on body function (i.e. what it can do) is a promising way to improve body image.

How to focus on body function

If you really think about body function and all your body allows you to do, it’s hard to deny how amazing the body is!

When you’re struggling with the way that you feel about your body, stop for a moment to think about all the amazing functions of your body.

Write them down and keep your list handy so you can refer to it.

When I did my list, here are some that I came up with.  So, your body….

πŸ‘ is constantly fighting infection;

πŸ‘ allows you to go about your day;

πŸ‘ produces children;

πŸ‘ allows you to experience pleasure through your various senses including sight, sound, taste, touch;

πŸ‘ keeps your heart constantly beating – it’s a work horse!

πŸ‘ processes and releases toxins;

πŸ‘ regenerates itself (e.g. skin, skeleton, and liver);

πŸ‘ alerts you to dangers (for example, that ‘sixth sense’ feeling you get when you know someone is watching you);

πŸ‘ your brain can create new neural pathways through a process called neuroplasticity (this helps you to change your thoughts, habits and behaviours).

Why not start a wave of appreciation for what your body can do, and take the focus off what your body looks like.

I’d love to know what you appreciate about your body function. Please leave a comment below.

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