Every Body Is a Summer Body: Embracing Body Positivity This Summer

Thrive • Jul 14, 2021

WHY SUMMERTIME TRIGGERS POOR BODY IMAGE

Summer can be a trigger for individuals struggling with body image for many reasons. As warmer weather sets in, we’re encouraged to show more skin which may cause us to focus on our bodies’ insecurities. Additionally, structured routines can become more relaxed during the summer, which may interrupt once-habitual healthy behaviors. The media is perhaps one of the most impactful elements that contributes to degraded body image. On television, social media feeds, and magazine pages, we are bombarded with airbrushed models in swimsuits, dieting advice, and workout plans. For individuals struggling with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, or negative body image, these seasonal changes can be especially damaging to their mental and emotional states.

FIVE WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BODY IMAGE

Embracing a positive body image means accepting yourself, despite what shape your body is. Here are some practices to help you recognize the positive aspects of your body.

1. Embrace the art of gratitude.

Our bodies are amazing, complex, and fascinating. From swimming and soaking up the sun to tasting the sweetness of summer watermelon and laughing with loved ones — our bodies allow us to experience life’s goodness. Focus on being grateful for what your body can do. By recognizing that your body allows you to participate in activities that you love, you can become truly grateful for your body.

2. Dress in a way that fits your unique shape and personality.

Our bodies are not meant to fit into our clothes. Instead, our clothes are meant to fit our bodies. When you choose clothes to fit your body, you celebrate your shape and embrace the notion that your body is wonderful — which it truly is.

3. Smash your scale.

Stop measuring your worth by the numbers on your scale. Many of us have been led to believe that we need to fit into a certain percentile to ensure our bodies are healthy. To change this mindset, throw away your scale — or better yet smash it. Then, celebrate a life where you accept your body as it is.

4. Surround yourself with positivity.

If you surround yourself with individuals who speak negatively about others, it may reinforce your own insecurities. Instead, deliberately spend time with people who reflect your own authenticity.

5. Practice positive self-talk.

Self-compassion is the ability to see yourself through the eyes of someone you love. Begin by practicing more body neutrality. Instead of hating your body, lean more into acceptance of it. From there, you can discover aspects of yourself that you truly love.

HEALTHY AND HAPPY MIND-BODY RELATIONSHIPS

Without the trappings of negative body image, you are free to become comfortable listening to your body’s hunger and fullness cues. In the long run, you’ll develop a more holistic way to measure your health and happiness. As always, if you’re ever in need of additional support, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Thrive.

About the Author

Kerstin Trachok, CPC — Thrive Reno Clinical Director

Kerstin received her master’s degrees in clinical mental health counseling and school counseling from the University of Nevada, Reno. Kerstin has six years of experience in the counseling field working in different settings and a wide array of mental health issues. Kerstin has experience working in schools with children of all ages, clients with psychosis in a hospital setting, adults and teens in private practice, and working at an agency providing counseling to children and families. Kerstin is a fully licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Nevada and received her certification in Complex Trauma Levels I and II. Kerstin has experience working with children, teens, adults and families with trauma, anxiety, grief, depression, ADHD, autism spectrum, suicidal ideation, and behavioral issues. Kerstin is passionate about fostering client’s growth and autonomy while providing a safe and secure space to process emotions. Kerstin uses creative interventions and other tools to allow clients to voice their internal experiences beyond traditional talk therapy. Kerstin’s theoretical approach is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. She uses mindfulness tools and techniques to help clients be present moment oriented, and reduce stress so they may move towards psychological flexibility. Kerstin believes all individuals have the right to live a fulfilling and vital life.

The post Every Body Is a Summer Body: Embracing Body Positivity This Summer first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

child getting bandaid from doctor while mother smiles

The Importance of Whole Family Primary Care: A Q&A with Dr. Stephanie Wright

26 Mar, 2024

By serving the whole family, physicians are able to have a better understanding of family dynamics, family health care goals, and history of disease in the family.