 I led a stress reduction workshop last year during which I led a guided meditation where I asked people to scan their bodies and thank their bodies, at their own pace. At the end, many people said that they were amazed that they had never thought to thank their bodies before, and it was eye-opening for them to experience. We tend to spend a lot of time in our heads, lost in our own thoughts, and it's easy to lose a connection between your body and brain, in terms of how your thinking is causing stress inside your body.
Our bodies do so much for us each day. But instead of praising our bodies, most of us frequently say harsh, critical and negative things to our bodies instead. We can develop a tense relationship with our bodies from doing this over time, and this can cause anxiety and low self esteem. To mend this relationship, learn to feel gratitude and appreciation for all the things your body is doing for you each and every day to keep you healthy and alive. We take our bodies for granted, and the more you think about this, the more you will want to shift your thinking. . To thank your body: Try taking a few minutes each day to mentally scan and say thank you to your body: Start at your head and work your way down to your feet, mentally saying thank you to different parts of your body. Then, listen to your body, feel what your body is feeling, and consciously breathe appreciation into your body with each breath. . A few minutes of appreciating and thanking your body every day can lead to big changes in how you feel about yourself. Have you said thank you to your body today? .  Your Monday self talk mantra: “Every week, I take a few steps forward. I can go at my own pace. I can accomplish a few things consistently each week and still make progress. These steps will move me forward.”
. When we are anxious, we tend to want to do too many things at once, and to go forward too fast. The pressure we put on ourselves tends to raise our anxiety more, which can make us freeze up completely. Tell yourself that it’s okay to pick your own pace. If you take steps or make positive changes each week consistently, it will add up over time. Try to speak to yourself in a way that is kind and encouraging this week. What encouragement will you give yourself this week? |
Risa WilliamsTherapist & Coach. Writer & Professor. Brain Trainer. Archives
August 2022
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