The holiday season is filled with celebrations, traditions, and activities that may spark joy and warmth. Yet, amidst the sparkling season, there may be amplified concerns around body image. During this season, we may find ourselves amidst a whirlwind of events that lead us to focus more on our body image. From choosing outfits for holiday parties, hearing comments about food, and the pressure to look a certain way; all of this may challenge our relationship with our bodies. Let us navigate this together, with compassion and understanding.
Somatic Awareness
The first step in navigating body image and embracing our bodies is to turn inwards. Our internal world is filled with cues that let us know what we are experiencing. It is important to explore the physical sensations that send signals to our brain; think about the sensations as messages our bodies are telling us. Begin by becoming aware of these physical sensations. These cues also tell us so much about our emotional state.
Perhaps you begin to tense up and your chest feels tight when you are trying on holiday outfits or you feel a knot in your stomach when food becomes the main topic of conversation. By being in tune with these sensations, it allows us to go deeper into exploring our emotions and needs.
Identifying Your Body’s Emotions and Needs
Once you have noticed the physical sensations, I invite you to ask your body what it needs. Perhaps you are not sure at the moment, and this is ok. It takes practice and time to begin to listen to your body. Let us take the tense feeling you may experience when you are getting dressed. Explore what emotions may be attached to the tenseness, whether it is distress, frustration, or sadness; allow these emotions to be present without judgment as they are also messages your body is communicating to you.
Then once you have noticed these emotions, try asking yourself when I feel tense and frustrated, what do I need? It could be as simple as a moment of rest, a meal or snack, or a glass of water. Perhaps it’s a need to call a friend and process your emotions to release any pent-up anger. When you honor your body’s needs, you take a powerful step towards self-care and body respect.
Fostering Body Respect
Depending on where you are at with your body, your focus will differ. For some, it will be moving from a place of dislike to respect. One way to move towards body respect is through identifying your inner critic. Notice when your inner critic shows up; is it around certain people or environments? Then, practice lovingly talking back to your inner critic and show it compassion. This may help lessen the distress around your body image.
For others it will be about focusing on your body’s function over appearance. One way to practice this is by naming values outside of appearance. For example, perhaps you value connection. You can use this to think about your body using your values. So, you could say, “My arms allow me to hug the ones I love.”
Working on embracing your body during this holiday season may feel challenging but I believe that you have the capability to be more connected to yourself and to navigate the challenges. As we embrace the holiday season, let’s make it a time of celebration for our bodies too. Let’s celebrate their strength, their resilience, and the journey they’ve carried us through. This holiday, may you wrap yourself in the warmth of acceptance and the joy of being truly present in your body.
Compassionate Affirmation: “My body is worthy of love and care regardless of how I feel about it.”
Additional Resource: To dig a little deeper, “The Wisdom of Your Body” by Hillary McBride is a wonderful resource and a good read for the holiday break.
Becoming Anchored in Hope,
Laura
LPC-MHSP, CEDS-C, ACS, NCC
Owner + Director
Laura is committed to guiding individuals along their path to mental wellness and has carefully gathered a team of skilled, knowledgeable, and committed therapists at Anchored Counseling Co. to assist in this mission.
The professionals here create an environment that is supportive and affirmed, informed by an understanding of trauma. At Anchored Counseling Co., there’s a shared belief in the fundamental worth of each person, and therapy is delivered with warmth and empathy. The therapeutic philosophy here is built on the premise that every client has the natural ability to enact meaningful and enduring change in their life.
To connect with a therapist who aligns with your unique needs, please contact our office at 615.510.3797 or contact us here.
