8 Simple Ways to Appreciate Your Body Every Day

If you’re having a hard time adopting a positive body image, you’re not alone. It can be hard for student-athletes to find the balance between striving for progress in their sport and accepting and appreciating their bodies just as they are. Taking a few seconds to appreciate what your body can do is a critically important daily habit, and the more confident you can feel about your body, the easier it will be to feel confident in your sport.

Here, we’re looking at a few simple ways to boost your body appreciation every day.

Find one thing you love—and say it out loud

Every day, try to notice one thing that you do appreciate about your body. It can be something specific and physical, like “I have fantastic ankles,” but it can also be more focused on what your body can do, like, “I had a great lap at practice yesterday.” If you struggle to make this a habit, stick a note to your bathroom mirror to remind yourself to do it every day while you brush your teeth.

Keep a written list of those things you love

To take it up a notch, actually write down the one thing you love about your body every day, even if it’s the same thing you wrote yesterday. This running list will be a powerful reminder for you—and it can be nice to reflect back on in a tough moment. If you’re prone to negative thoughts about your body, keep this list accessible where and when you need it most. This might be a note on your phone, or a written list tucked in your gym locker.

Focus on feeling

Try a mindfulness exercise: Close your eyes and take a minute to do a body scan, starting with the top of your head and going all the way down to your toes. How does every body part feel? Are your eyes relaxed or tense? Shoulders squeezed up? Quads sore or loose? There’s no judgment here, just notice the feelings. Getting more in touch with your body will help you hone the appreciation for it—and might even remind you to do some self-care.