How to Improve Your Self-Image, Part 2
In our last article on self-image, we talked about what self-image is, what it’s not, and how to get started on your journey to a healthier place. That journey is ongoing for all of us, but the goal is to get a little better every day. Today, we’re going to look at some other strategies to improve your self-image.
First, pay attention to your body. This may sound like it’s disconnected from something as cerebral as self-image, but our outlook starts in our body.
Go to the doctor for checkups regularly. Don’t start any new regimen without consulting your general physician. They can run tests and give you resources for exploring what specialists can offer. Everyone’s needs are unique.
Putting good nutrients into your body is a fundamental step toward a healthier outlook. The vitamins and minerals we take in help our various body parts govern activities like oxygen absorption, cell production, and the manufacturing of necessary hormones.
When you talk with your doctor, be honest about everything—your food intake, your fluid intake, your routines, your cravings, etc. Your doctor will likely recommend that you keep a food diary where you log everything you ingest and evaluate it later to identify patterns and the best places to start making changes. Here are some other factors to discuss with your general physician:
The possibility that you have a food allergy. Your doctor may have you try an elimination diet to identify one or more culprit foods.
Macro and micronutrients. Are you getting a balanced amount of carbs, fats, and proteins?
Are you getting enough vitamins? Vitamin deficiencies are more serious than many know.
Are you drinking enough water? Enough water is good for everything from clearer skin to better mental clarity.
Food is an integral part of human life and there are many painful, life-disrupting mental disorders centered around one’s relationship with food. To one person, food can be their worst enemy. To another, food might be their best source of comfort. For others, food can be a friend one hour and an enemy the next. It can be hard to notice when one’s relationship with food is negative, and even harder to redefine that relationship.
Paying attention to your body goes far beyond diet. Pursuing a fitter body is another good place to improve your self-image. We don’t necessarily mean aesthetics. This is another place to start by talking with your GP. Your doctor might recommend some activities like these:
Movements to improve and support flexibility for joint health, balance, and good circulation
Low-impact cardiovascular exercises
Muscle-building routines like calisthenics
It’s important to find out what will work for you starting with where you are.
Try to get enough quality sleep. If you are experiencing disordered sleep, talk with your doctor about what might be causing that and how to better your situation. Tests can be run at a sleep lab to see what’s going on while you sleep, such as changes in breathing.
Practice other forms of self-care that make sense to you. For one person, that can mean joining a boxing gym. For the next person, or the same person at a different time that week, it can mean getting a pedicure. Feeling physically better does much for your self-worth.
One of the services we offer here is metabolic workups, a blood test that gives us a holistic view of your health. Ask us about metabolic panels and more by writing to us on our website or by calling (585) 442-6960.
