Perhaps your feelings about your body have changed with the passage of time. When you were younger, you might have struggled with insecurities around your appearance. As the years went on, you may have worked through some of these insecurities and made an effort to stop criticizing your body. But for many people, the body confidence they made such a strong effort to build can fade away again as they age and notice more apparent physical changes.
Maybe you’ve looked in the mirror only to feel like you didn’t quite recognize the person staring back. You might have found yourself slowing down during routine activities or realized that you experience far more aches and pains after working out than you used to. It can be hard to process these changes while fostering self-love. Here’s how to maintain your confidence as your body changes with age.
Give Yourself Space to Grieve
This may sound counterintuitive, but it’s important to give yourself time to grieve the physical changes you’re experiencing. You can love your body now while acknowledging that you feel a sense of loss connected to these changes.
Trying to repress these emotions can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Instead, let yourself mourn if you feel the need, and remember that growth lies on the other side.
Practice Physical Self-Care
No matter how you feel about your body, taking good care of yourself is crucial. You can separate your feelings about your body from your actions.
Even if you’re frustrated with your appearance or physical abilities, you can still eat a nutritious diet, get enough sleep, move your body, pamper yourself, and schedule necessary doctor’s appointments rather than ignoring symptoms. You might also want to incorporate a mindfulness practice like daily meditation into your usual routine.
Find an Enjoyable Form of Exercise
Maybe you’ve been struggling with the types of exercise you used to enjoy. Alternatively, you might not have exercised regularly in the past, and you’re not sure how to get started now.
Any form of exercise can improve your mental and physical health. You might want to sign up for a gym where you can experiment with different classes and workouts. Additionally, you could try going through a few workout sessions with a personal trainer, who can customize your exercise routine to your specific abilities, needs, and goals.
Take Media Breaks
Advertising, social media, and the beauty standards presented in movies and television shows can all influence the way you feel about your own body. Today, people of all ages spend time on social media, where unattainable standards are held up as the norm.
If you’ve been dealing with lots of insecurity around your body recently, it may be time to take a break from social media. You might also want to limit the amount of time you spend watching TV and movies for a while, too. This can reduce your exposure to advertising.
Appreciate Your Abilities
Finally, think about everything that your body allows you to do. These do not need to be intense athletic feats or anything out of the ordinary. You can reflect on your ability to walk to a friend’s house, swim in the ocean, or get out of bed in the morning.
Even if you don’t have the same abilities that you used to, you can consider the simple things, like chatting with your loved ones, tasting a delicious meal, or feeling a refreshing spring breeze on your skin.
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Are you struggling to love your changing body as you age? Reach out to our practice to find out how women’s therapy can help you appreciate your body and build confidence.