Having body freedom allows us to get through life and we may or may not give much thought to all of the functions our body can perform. It often isn’t until something takes a turn for the worst that we stop and realize how much we should appreciate all that our bodies do for us. A few years ago, I injured my ankle while at a group fitness class. I ended up having to keep it elevated and wear an ankle brace for six weeks. During this time, I thought a lot about how much I should appreciate all of the fully functioning and non-painful parts of my body.
What is your relationship with your body?
The relationship that we have with our bodies is a constant. We may feel a sense of fear about our changing bodies, or we may have feelings of freedom because of all that our bodies do for us. Do you look at your body in the mirror and feel a sense of appreciation or do you feel a sense of judgement? Do you notice the wrinkles around your eyes and remember all of the laughter that caused them, or do you wish they would go away? Do you go for a walk because it feels good to get outside or do you go for a walk because you fear weight gain?
What does body fear mean to you and how does it impact your life?
Body fear means that when you think about your body, you have a sense of judgment for what it is not, or a sense of dread about what will happen. When we live in body fear, we make choices that impact our health and our ability to feel joy. Body fear may appear when you step on the scale and see that the number has gone up, so you choose to restrict your food intake. Or, it may pop up when you notice that you’re winded while walking up the stairs at home.
How does body freedom impact your life?
Body freedom on the other hand allows you to live a full life. You move and exercise because it feels good, you eat healthy foods because they give you energy, you thank your body for all that it does, and you have a sense of acceptance about changes in your body. Body freedom allows you to put more energy into things that bring you joy. It means that you have a sense of acceptance for your body, no matter what shape or ability. When you live with body freedom, you feel good and you end up creating more good in your life.
How would your life be different if you let go of fear and lived in total body freedom?
You’re not always going to adore your body. That’s okay! Letting go of body fear and living with body freedom can change your life though. It will allow you to let go of the things that weigh you down and make you feel bad, while creating more of the good in your life. The thing is that you have to start somewhere. So, whether you take a walk and notice how it feels when your feet touch the ground, or you look in the mirror and notice how much you like your eyebrows, just do something. You deserve body freedom.
How We Can Help
If you want additional support, we offer some great options:
- We offer support groups, workshops, and wellness retreats in additional to mental health counseling and therapy. You can find more details at www.tribemindbody.com/events
