How to practice body positivity when you're triggered

Every day we deal with body standards both impossible and incorrect. It is next to impossible to avoid these standards because they are reflected all over social media and in our beliefs.

Some people try to fight them while other try to numb themselves against them. Then there are some people who try to emulate them, sometimes to their own detriment.

These measures can be ways of coping or self-improvement. In either instance, it is important to maintain a realistic and healthy view of your body for your health.

These tips can help you develop this mindset.

Focus on what your body can do

Action is the remedy to thought. Sometimes we get lost in the way the body looks and forget that it is a doing machine. All that thinking means we keep checking it instead of making it do. Appreciate what your body can achieve, its strength, agility, and endurance. Engage in activities where your body displays its abilities and pushes itself.

Change your focus

Recognise that idealised bodies may not be realistic or unattainable for most people. Some people are naturally gifted while others work extremely hard to maintain or achieve them, not forgetting editing. These people have the resources to look like that, and you may not have them.

Remember that people don't care about your appearance as much as you think or as you do. If it's important to you, find healthy ways to practice good appearance.

If you worry about other people then ask them for their opinion. Keep in mind that some people may intentionally give you the wrong opinions or simply reiterate the ideal standards they hold themselves to. So in the end, it is better to focus on what you think.

Is a perfect body a requirement for you to like someone or be nice to them?

Look at the people around you. Everyone has a different body and you never consider that before becoming their friend, colleague, or acquaintance. In fact, you consider personality and character more important than physical appearance in your relationships and friendships. If you don't hold others to ideal body standards to welcome them, then you should think twice before holding yourself to those standards.

Find your community

If you are particularly affected by negative body perceptions, surround yourself with people who share your body experiences. Even if you want to change your body, you have to first live and it is the engine of your life and experiences. Find people you can be comfortable with, who can make jokes about your body without you being offended.

That's the beauty of community. The things that would be taken as an attack from a different group, are easier to handle with 'your' people.

Stick to a routine

Eat, sleep, work, rest, get medical attention, and have leisure time. Take care of yourself in those activities and take care of your finances, time, and environment. It is more important to have a thriving personal life than an ideal body.