31 Gifts to Honor Your Body

If you’re like me—and most people—come January 1st, you’ve probably already created a long list of New Year’s resolutions, goals or intentions to stay focused on being healthier, fitter and better to your body.

While those are great strategies, today I’ve got a powerful—and fun—alternative for you… one that will leave you feeling good and more in tune with your body. Especially after the extremes of the holiday season.

This January indulge yourself in the 31-Day Honor My Body Challenge.

Indulge in a challenge? Yes, you read that right. Here’s how it works:

Every day—for 31 days—simply give your body a gift.

It takes about 28 days of sticking with a new behavior to make that behavior a regular habit. So when you give your body a month of daily gifts, you’re creating a beautiful new habit of honoring your body, paying attention to its needs, and showering it with love and kindness. The result is a stronger commitment and connection with your body that helps your body confidence journey flow more smoothly.

Your Gifts

Loving gifts communicate to your body that it is honored and valued. Your gift can be as luxurious as a hot stone massage, as simple as drinking a tall glass of water, or an every-day routine, like brushing your teeth.

The 31-Day Honor My Body Challenge doesn’t mean you do something extra-special for your body, although you can. The point is to designate one thing each day as your body’s special gift. You then mindfully offer caring attention to your body through that gift even if it’s something you routinely do every day.

It’s amazing how this simple thing can transform your day. If you haven’t taken a bath with candlelight for a few years, I highly recommend it!

Here are some suggestions for daily gifts to give to your body:

• Eat a piece of fresh fruit or colorful salad.
• Take a 10-minute walk.
• Soak in a relaxing bath.
• Rub lotion on your body.
• Rub lotion on your hands.
• Soak your feet in Epsom salts.
• Floss your teeth.
• Attend an exercise or yoga class.
• If you smoke cigarettes, give your body a smoke-free day.
• If you drink alcohol, give your body an alcohol-free day.
• Take a nap.
• Breathe deeply for two minutes.
• Sit silently for five.
• Dance to your favorite music in your living room for 10 minutes.
• Repeat affirmations such as, “I am healthy, I am strong, I am filled with radiant light” to give your body the gift of uplifting words.

How to Boost Your Gift

As you give your body its daily gift, pair it with a loving statement. For example, while drinking a glass of water, say to your body, “This is so good for you” or when soaking in the tub say, “This will soothe your muscles.”

The loving intention behind your action is as important as the action itself. Your body absorbs the energy of your thoughts. Instead of merely going through the motions, infuse your actions with nurturing words so you and your body gain the most benefit from your daily gifts.

You can begin the 31-Day Honor My Body Challenge anytime. Maybe you’ll decide to jump right in today. Or maybe you’ll start January 1 with me.

When you begin, use a journal to record your daily gifts and write down what it felt like to give this gift to your body. Recording your gifts helps you see progress and stay committed. Or you can click here to download your Daily Gifts to My Body checklist I made for you to record your daily gifts.

Daily Gifts = Positive Mind-Set

When you set the intention to give your body a daily gift, you create a new way of thinking about your body. You begin to naturally—and unconsciously—scan your environment for things you can do for your body that you may have overlooked before. 

For example, remembering the challenge may inspire you to park your car further from the store entrance to give your body the gift of movement that day or choose an apple instead of a sweet snack to give your body the gift of healthy nutrition.

You see what you look for. When you commit to honor your body with a daily gift, your mind focuses away from things you don’t like about your body and towards the ways you can serve your body better. This shift in focus helps you create a positive mind-set and loving attitude that helps you release weight with less struggle and greater ease.

Befriend Your Body

Every relationship is one of give and take, including the relationship you have with your body. It’s the universal law of giving and receiving: When you give your body loving attention and kindness, you receive love and kindness from your body. 

For example, when you give your body a light, healthy meal you receive a light, healthy feeling. Give your body five minutes of deep breathing, and receive relaxation.

When you commit to giving your body daily gifts, you keep the energy of giving and receiving flowing. Your weight release journey feels lighter because instead of battling with your body… you become best friends.

Will you commit to the 31-Day Honor My Body Challenge? Please share below and let me know if you have any questions!

(Photo Credit: Foot Bath)

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