Nurturing Yourself During Recovery: 4 Tips for Boosting Your Body Image

When you look in the mirror, you probably think about how you look. But, do you ever take the time to think about the way you feel about your body? Living a healthy, well-balanced life is an important part of addiction recovery and that also includes maintaining a positive body image. While it may not come naturally to you, you can learn how to become less critical of yourself, resist stereotypes and become more comfortable in your own skin.

If you are in the process of creating a new, addiction-free life, you can support your sobriety by simply boosting your self-esteem and cultivating a healthier relationship with yourself.

Want to change the way you think about your body and stop the negativity? Here are four ways you can take charge of how you judge – YOU!

(1) Focus on what your body can do, instead of simply what it looks like. 
Instead of judging yourself on arbitrary measures like your weight, try to reframe your thinking to take a more holistic approach. The next time you are going for a walk or riding your bike in the park, take a moment to appreciate all the things you can do.

(2) Prioritize health and fitness, not a number on the scale. 
If you want to build a healthier relationship with your body, think about creating goals that are related to improving your overall health like running a 5K, eating more fruits and vegetables or lowering your cholesterol.

(3) Limit negative self-talk. 
The next time you catch yourself being overly critical of your appearance, replace those thoughts with more positive statements. Instead of “I hate my thighs” or “I look old” take a moment to appreciate what you do love about your body.

(4) Abolish “perfectionism”. 
When you find yourself being overly judgmental about your appearance, consider if you are holding yourself to an unrealistic standard of what you think is attractive. Would you judge a friend that same way?

Learn More About Transitional Living 

Recovery is challenging and is more than just being physically sober. Recovery includes physical as well as emotional and spiritual healing. We can help you cultivate a life free from addiction by nurturing your mind, body and spirit. To find out more about our addiction treatment services including Rising Road Recovery’s transitional living program for women, call (866) 746-1558.