3 Body Positive Activities

When you are on a journey to feel better about your body, finding body-positive activities to fill your time can be difficult. Below are a few ideas you can engage in while you are on a journey to feel more positive about your body. Remember, many of us struggle with body image, so don't be afraid to invite your friends to do these activities with you!

 

1.  Spa Day

 

This day doesn't have to be an expensive spa package that costs hundreds of dollars. It could be just as simple as a quick trip to the local spa. Soak in the hot tub, sit in the steam room, and take a dip in the cold pool. All of these are relaxing activities that can help to release your stress. You could even pamper yourself with a manicure or pedicure. Engage in whatever it takes to relieve your stress and make you feel like you are being spoiled. 

 

2.  Do Something Active

 

An article on Mayo Clinic explains that working out in nature releases endorphins. These endorphins make you feel happy whether or not the exercise is vigorous. Even a simple walk around the block will be enough to get your endorphins flowing and help you to feel better about yourself. This activity can be especially fun if you invite a friend and the two of you take a fun class at your local gym or even participate in guided yoga in the park. 

 

3.  Consume Body Positive Media

 

Social media is often filled with unrealistic expectations for you to compare yourself to. Instead of spending time scrolling, find a positive media source in your life and consume as much of it as you can. This can be listening to music that makes you feel great about yourself or reading a book written by someone who inspires you. Make sure whatever it is you are spending your time reading, and watching is making you feel good about your body. 

 

Staying positive about your body can be difficult, especially if you aren't participating in body-positive activities. So next time your friends want to hang out, maybe suggest a spa day or take part in something active, because these activities will help you feel better about your body. Just make sure that whatever you do, you consume media that makes you feel great about who you are - and not the opposite. 

 

5 Ways to Feel Better About Your Body

Do you like what you see in the mirror? If not, you aren’t alone, and it can sometimes seem like an impossible task to feel better about your body. Below are five ways you can feel better about your body every day.

                                                                    

1.  Give Yourself Compliments

 

When you look in the mirror each morning, tell yourself how great you look. Focus on all the positive parts of your body, and admire how unique you are. Note that you also need to accept these compliments from yourself for this to help you feel better.  

 

2.  Get Active

 

One of the best ways to immediately feel better about yourself is by exercising. This phenomenon is because exercise releases endorphins that boost your mood. When you want to change your body, exercise is the way to do it! You don't have to do anything crazy to start, as even a walk around the block can help you begin to feel better. 

 

3.  Be Grateful

 

Think of all the amazing things you have in life. This reflection doesn't just have to be about your body. Think of all the things you've accomplished in your career and your social life. You couldn’t have done these things without the body you are in! 

 

4.  Consume Positive Media

 

Sometimes it can hurt to look at what you are not. Guess what? You don't have to. Instead of filling your social media feeds with people you are jealous of, fill them with people who inspire you. Maybe they are on the same journey you are on or people who have decided they are beautiful just the way they are. The choice is yours. Follow more people who inspire you and fewer people who make you feel bad about yourself. 

 

5.  Don’t Compare Yourself To Others

 

The number one way to stop feeling bad about your body is to stop comparing yourself to others. Everyone on this earth has a different journey and has achieved different things. Just because someone has a different body doesn't mean they are happy. From now on, resolve to only compare yourself to yourself because there is no other comparison.

 

Body image is a struggle that most people face at some point in their life, but this doesn't mean you shouldn't work to feel better about your body. If you follow these five tips outlined here, you'll be feeling better about your body and more confident in no time at all. 

8 Steps to Creating Momentum in Your Life

Has your get up and go, got up and went?

 

Momentum is the magic driving us forward. The problem is, sometimes, things happen that suck the momentum right out of the day. Illness, family emergency, even just waking up on the wrong side of the bed can all combine to make your day feel unproductive before you even set foot on the floor. 

 

How, then, do you create momentum and get things moving again? Try these eight steps:

 

Dream Big

 

Before you can even begin, you need to know what you’re aiming to accomplish. Here’s where you’re going to find exactly what to zero in on as you move forward. But if this is truly the case, why would you think small? Believe it or not, you’ll achieve much more if you challenge yourself. This is inviting yourself to grow!

 

Stay Focused…and Positive

 

This should go without saying. Keeping your eye on the prize is the only way to stay motivated when you need the most. Remind yourself you’re going to achieve your goal. Try a pep talk if necessary. Why? Negative self-talk will always limit your ability to accomplish your goals. With the right mindset, you can go wherever you decide to go.

 

Look for Inspiration

 

Need a little bit more of a boost? Think about your heroes. Who has been down this path before? Look for inspiring quotes. Put on music that moves you. Read biographies of people you admire. Remind yourself if others have succeeded where you are, you can too.

 

Focus on Your Habits

 

What are the behaviors and mannerisms standing in your way? This would be a great time to break some bad habits and maybe start cultivating some good ones. Where to focus? Look for whatever pushes you toward good health, a positive mental attitude, and a day filled with accomplishments.

 

Learn

 

Speaking of habits, how about picking up some new skills? Taking time out to better your mind will make you sharper and more creative in the day-to-day. Learning is also crucial to positive brain health, enhancing cognition along with your skillset.

 

Take Chances

 

The only thing really holding you back is you. This isn’t the time to play it safe. When you see an opportunity, seize it. You’ll be surprised at the paths opening up before you.

 

Countdown to Bravery

 

Having a hard time with risk-taking after all? Try this: Do a countdown from 5 and just do it. There’s no time for doubt when you’re in the midst of making things happen. The cool part? Acting brave tends to lead to honest-to-goodness real courage. Yes, that’s you out there doing something amazing.

 

Try, Try Again

 

In the end, if things don’t work, it’s ok. The main thing is not to lose the momentum you just created. Jump in there and start all over again, taking with you the lessons you’ve learned along the way.

 

4 Mindset Shifts That Will Help You Build Momentum in Your Life

The secret to getting things done lies in one simple word: Momentum.

 

Think about it. We learn first about momentum in physics when we’re taught: an object in motion tends to stay in motion. When applied to our lives, this becomes a powerful concept. 

 

Think about it. You have a goal you’re trying to reach. You make some effort toward achieving your goal, but you might be a little hit and miss. Sure, you’re excited initially, but eventually, life gets in the way. You get a bit sporadic about putting in the work. Ultimately, you stop altogether.

 

Momentum is what paints a different picture altogether. With momentum, initial enthusiasm won’t wane. In fact, as time goes by, the impetus toward getting things done increases, and things really start happening. With momentum, you find success where otherwise you might never have found it at all.

 

How to attain this magical concept?

 

Easy. Start with these for simple shifts of mindset, guaranteed to help build momentum in your life.

 

Tap into Passion

 

When we become excited about things, of course we can’t wait to jump in and get working. This is why bright, shiny new ideas are so distracting. On the other hand, imagine what happens when you feel that kind of enthusiasm all the time. To keep this mindset, it’s simply a matter of keeping your eyes on the goal. Remind yourself often what you’re trying to accomplish and why. Hold fast to these concepts.

 

Explore the Ending

 

Want to know how the story turns out? Skip to the last page. In the same way, if you're going to feel excited about the journey you’re on, take a look at the final destination. Visualize your project completed. What does success look like? Make this as tangible as possible, using all of your senses to describe the scene. Once you have this in mind, you’ll find you can’t wait to get there. This feeling fuels momentum.

 

Feel Gratitude

 

When we look at a situation and ask what we’re grateful for, we automatically shift our thinking to look for the good. By experiencing gratitude as you work toward your goal, you’ll build momentum off those good feelings. Positive thoughts lead to positive energy. How simple is that?

 

Let it Go

 

Sounds counterproductive to keeping momentum going, doesn’t it? However, letting go doesn’t mean giving up. It means laying down your load for a while to rest and recuperate. You can only keep momentum going for so long before you need to recharge your batteries. Work on being more aware of how you feel while working to reach your goal. Are you exhausted? Have brain fog? Are you feeling isolated? Perhaps you are missing out on too much of your family life? Some of the people who get the most accomplished know when to let go!

 

With these four mindsets, you’ll be amazed at how quickly momentum builds where before it was flagging. Remember, be intentional and focus on what you’re doing. The momentum will follow, and so will your success. 

 

7 Quick Things You Can do Today to Build Momentum

You’re on the way! You have a goal in mind, you’re working hard to get there. It might be you’re after something personal. It might be you’re concentrating solely on your career right now. Whatever it is you want, you’re hungry for it. You can’t wait to see the culmination of all this hard work. 

 

…only everything seems to be moving so slow…

 

What you’re lacking is momentum. Momentum is what pushes you into action. It speeds you up as you work the steps and keeps you going.

 

So, what do you do when momentum is lagging? Easy. You find ways to build it. Try these quick tips guaranteed to make things happen:

 

Visualize the Future

 

Take some time to consider where you’ll be in six months. What about next year or the next five years? Seeing yourself in the future is a really positive way to keep your momentum going. If you can get excited about the you of tomorrow, you’ll find yourself fighting to become that person right now.

 

Get Up and Do Something

 

It’s so easy to grow stagnant. Rather than binge-watch the latest Netflix sitcom, how about getting up to create some mischief of your own? Go play a game, take a walk, spend time with friends. Do inspirational things to fill you with enthusiasm.

 

Learn Stuff

An active mind is a creative mind. The act of learning, even in small increments such as 10-15 minutes a day, will still improve cognitive function. In short, by keeping your mind active, you will pick up momentum.

 

Act When You Don’t Feel Like It

 

If you’re waiting for the muse to strike, stop. There will never be a perfect time to work. Momentum means keeping going, even when you don’t feel like it. 

 

Put Your Phone Away

 

Giving yourself the gift of uninterrupted time does wonders for momentum. By turning off your phone for an hour, you’ll give yourself the freedom to relax, recharge, explore, and forge ahead.

 

Quit

 

When it comes to momentum, if you’ve found you’re slowing down, it might be because what you’re doing just doesn’t work. In this case, sometimes the smartest thing to do is to stop. Don’t waste time beating your head against a wall when you could be making progress elsewhere.

 

Do Something Scary

 

It’s the challenge that pushes you to new limits. When you do what’s easy, momentum lags. This is why it’s so important to challenge yourself to do the things you never thought you would.

 

Remember, whatever you can find to help keep the momentum going, embrace! If affirmations help, post a bunch of them everywhere. Put on music to get you moving. Create a social life around people who support you wholeheartedly. You’re the one in charge of your destiny, it’s up to you to act. 

 

5 Signs You Might Be a People Pleaser

Has someone told you that you are a people pleaser? It might be true, but it's a good idea to get a second opinion if you aren't sure. Below are 5 signs that you might be a people pleaser - consider these to be your "second opinion." 

 

1. You Can’t Say No

 

Your friend has asked you for a favor for the 10^th time. Your boss just asked you to stay late again. Both of your divorced parents want to see you for the holidays. A people-pleaser says yes to all of these people because they can't seem to say no to anyone.

 

Not saying no means you are definitely a people pleaser, especially when you say yes to things that you know aren't going to work out. 

 

2. You Constantly Wonder What Others Think

 

Are you always worried that your friends might hate you? Or that your significant other doesn't see you in the way you want them to see you? These anxious thoughts are a sure sign of people-pleasing behavior. Thoughts like these cause you to please others before taking care of yourself.

 

3. You Feel You Never Have You Time

 

Self-care is important, and most people-pleasers find they simply don't have the time. Mostly because they are too busy saying yes to everyone else. Take a look at your schedule. Do you have time penciled in just for you? If not, you're probably a people pleaser. 

 

4. You Feel Bad Saying No

 

Okay, so maybe you can say no, and you have before. However, did you feel bad or guilty when you said it? You have every right to say no, and you shouldn't feel bad doing it. If you do, this is another sign that you are a people-pleaser. 

 

5. You Constantly Apologize

 

Are you always apologizing for everything, even stuff that may not be your fault? This isn't healthy and means that you are probably a people-pleaser. People-pleasers want people to like them no matter what, which can lead to them apologizing for things they didn't just to make sure they stay in the person's good graces. 

 

Did you find that three or more of these things described you and how you feel? If so, you are likely a people pleaser. If you don't want to damage your own health pleasing others, it's definitely time to accept that you are a people pleaser and begin looking for help to overcome your people-pleasing ways. 

 

7 Reasons Why You Don’t Set Boundaries and How to Start

You’ve gotten roped into staying late at work. Again. Or you’ve committed to something that you didn't want to but felt you had to. Now you’re beating yourself up because you know you should have better boundaries, but you don’t seem to understand how to form them. What do you do?

 

First, you need to realize that having problems setting boundaries is normal. We have a lot of reasons why we don’t like setting boundaries:

 

1. Fear. The number one reason we don’t do anything is generally fear. When you don’t know what the outcome is going to be when you first set that boundary, it’s bound to be terrifying.

 

2. It would be selfish. After all, why should your needs come before anyone else’s?

 

3. Taking care of yourself is unusual. This point is an extension of the last one. Not only is self-care selfish, but it would take time and resources from caring for others. Forgetting of course, that we can’t take care of anyone if we don’t take care of ourselves first.

 

4. Someone’s going to get mad at you. Which of course will lead to conflict and maybe even a confrontation. You might find yourself thinking that setting a boundary in these situations is just not worth it. 

 

5. Doing it the other way is a habit. It might be that you’re used to being asked to stay late at work – every day. Now it’s a habit to stay. The problem is, habits are hard to break, which means setting that boundary doesn’t just involve putting your foot down but changing an entire way of thinking. 

 

6. There’s a price to pay for saying ‘no.’ If other people trample over your needs to get their own needs met, then when you do say no, you know there’s going to be a negative repercussion. And who needs that kind of commotion in your life?

 

7. It’s not all that important anyway. Is it? That has more to do with self-esteem than anything. And yes, your boundaries are just that important.

 

So how do you go about setting boundaries when that’s unusual for you?

 

• Start by asking for what you want – and be specific.

• Be open to compromise.

• Have an exit strategy if they say ‘no.’ What will you accept?

• Be ready emotionally for a negative response. Not everything will be a ‘yes.’

• Don’t take rejection personally.  

 

Boundaries don’t have to be terrifying. Understanding why you don’t set them is the first step toward establishing positive change. When you use what you know to set solid boundaries for yourself, you will discover peace and happiness that you never knew was even possible.

5 Strategies for Guarding Your Personal Boundaries

Imagine an invisible fence set around yourself, with a single gate that is shut and locked, with only you in possession of the key. How does that make you feel?

 

When we have good personal boundaries, then we’ve set a space around us that we control. We tell those around us they can go only so far, and no further. Not that we’re alone, but it’s up to us to open the gate, and we get to decide who comes in.

 

The problem is, the world has a way of pushing against that fence. There will always be people who want more of your time, more of your energy. More of you. Thankfully there are things you can do to guard those boundaries and keep them strong.

 

1. Identify your limits. It’s impossible to guard what you haven’t even defined. The trick here is to define those limits clearly and succinctly. For example, you might want to protect some time with your family. But a boundary too vague is impossible to protect. But by clarifying the goal down to “Saturday’s are family time” then you know what you’re protecting (time with your family). So, with things that do come up on Saturday which do not involve the family, it's suddenly not so difficult to say no. 

 

2. Be straightforward. Never let someone push your boundaries without your permission. And when it does happen, take direct and clear action immediately. Anytime your boundaries are threatened, it’s time to open a dialogue with the violator. That gives you the opportunity to verbally reset the boundary in a way that makes it clear to the other person that the boundary is there. 

 

3. Pay attention to your feelings. If you’re feeling like someone is violating your boundaries, ask yourself why. Go with your gut instinct here as you analyze your emotions. It’s very likely that what you’re sensing is a boundary violation that you need to address.

 

4. Speak up. When you feel like your boundaries are being violated, you need to say something. After all, the best guard challenges all intruders. Being assertive now will save you a lot of heartache and problems down the road later.

 

5. Remind yourself that you have a right to set boundaries. Sometimes our boundaries have grown weak because we don’t feel like we have a right to set them in the first place. Permitting yourself to set the boundary will immediately strengthen it again.

 

Guarding your boundaries is an important part of living a life that’s not only healthy and happy but meaningful. Self-confident, strong people have solid boundaries that they protect. Protecting your boundaries is probably one of the most effective tools you have toward realizing a happy and productive life.