The Real Secret to Good Health

Being healthy is ultimately about feeling good so it's extremely ironic that most of us approach this area with such a self-loathing attitude.

We find things about ourselves that we want to change so badly, and when it doesn't happen overnight, we berate ourselves for not having enough self-control or for failing. Are you really going to make good decisions when you're telling yourself you look fat, frumpy or ugly? It's not about having self-control - nor is it about being hard on yourself in order to achieve your goals - the real secret to optimal wellness isloving yourself to health. 

This quote sums it up perfectly…
"You can't hate yourself happy.
You can't criticise yourself thin.
You can't shame yourself wealthy.
Real change begins with self-love and self-care."
- Jessica Ortner

Self-perception - Your self-perception dictates how successful you are in areas such as losing weight, fighting off disease and illness, and maintaining good health. To put it simply, you are what you think you are, so the importance of having a positive self-image is at the center of wellness.

Self-awareness - More and more new research shows that our cells have a direct response to our thoughts, feelings and emotions. This cutting edge science reveals that what we believe about ourselves can drastically alter our genes. With this in mind, it makes sense that when we repeatedly tell ourselves negative stories such as we will 'never be good enough', it's near impossible to lose weight or maintain good health. In fact, many new-age health experts say ongoing anger, sadness, guilt or stress, is likely to lead to a decline in health and even weightgain - regardless how well you eat or exercise!

Self-image - We have to change the story we're telling ourselves. When we realise we can't bully, guilt or shame ourselves and expect improvements, we can begin to change our self-image. When we see ourselves as loving, kind and healthy people, our body will reflect these changes. After all, our cells are just doing as they're told. You're the author of your own story and have the ability to re-write the pages at any time. 

Self-care - As you slowly start to change your story to one of love and acceptance, your level of self-care will naturally increase, and it won't be the chore it once was. This is because when you truly love yourself you want to eat nourishing food, you want to move in ways that make you feel good and you want to create routines and practices that support your overall wellbeing. The whole concept of health being unattainable will be a thing of the past when you are in a state of self-care. So too will the concept of having to look a certain way to be accepted. 

Self-talk - A good place to start is with affirmations. Affirmations are something you tell yourself over and over again to reinforce a positive message until it is ultimately so ingrained in your subconscious that every part of your being believes it. It really works. Either make up your own or check out affirmation and self-love guru Louise L Hay's.

Here's a few to get you started:
I love and accept myself.
I am beautiful.
I embrace all parts of who I am.
I am willing to change for my highest good.
I give and receive love freely.

Self-acceptance - Affirmations are even more powerful in front of the mirror and it's surprising how hard it is for a lot people to look themselves in the eye and say 'I love you'. We urge you to try this. If you find it hard we encourage you to take this as a sign that you need to do it more often.

Also embrace what ya mama gave ya. We all have flaws. And sometimes there's things we simply can't change. Instead of spending time and energy 'hating' the things you can't change, we urge you to embrace the unique parts of yourself that make you so special and different from everyone else.

Lastly, you're human. When we were designed all those thousands of years ago, modeling and Hollywood and magazines didn't exist.  Our bodies are still the same and have served us well as a species despite what society says about dimples and cellulite. When you get down on yourself just remember that Mother Nature never gets it wrong, your mere existence is pure perfection.

So there you have it. Our six tips to obtain better health through self-love.When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change - Dr Wayne Dyer. Start looking at yourself as the beautiful being that you really are. Appreciate the miracle of your breath, your heartbeat, your body, and your incredible mind which gives you the ability to change your life. Make a decision today to love yourself to health.