5 Things You Can Do When You Have an “I Hate My Body” Moment

It happens to the best of us, but that doesn’t mean we’re trapped in it

To wish you looked different or to wish you have a different body is a natural feeling, yet that doesn’t mean we need to find ourselves stuck in that feeling — like taking care of a cut, we should take our psychological injuries and heal them with kindness and care.

Here are five things you can do when you feel the unease creeping in:

Go on a walk (or some sort of exercise you enjoy)

Illustrations by Kaki Okumura

Physiologically, exercise releases endorphins, neurotransmitters responsible for our feel-good emotions. It can increase self-confidence, improve our mood, help us relax, and lower symptoms of mild depression and anxiety.

Psychologically, we also just feel proud about our bodies after we exercise, in a way that is unrelated to how it looks. We feel gratitude towards how it can take us long distances, communicate with others, and connect with the world.

Block any and all dieting/weight-related/food ads, emails, and social media accounts