You and Your Body - how do you relate?

I recently saw a short article in Psychology Today about body image and time spent outside.  Seems women who spend more time in nature have a better body image than those who don't. 

Surprised?  I wasn't.

The author of the study suggested time spent outside experiencing surroundings is time not spent looking at fashion magazines with unreal models, television with ads promising perfection, or hearing about weight loss. 

Although I agree less ads and more sky is better, I'd like to suggest an alternative reason body image improves.  I believe getting outside into nature forces you to appreciate your body.  Most outdoor time involve some sort of activity done with your body.  You are able to use your body and feel good using it rather than tearing it down or comparing. 

It is like the relationship with your partner.  If you spend all the time focusing on what is wrong or bad about him/her/the relationship you'll be unhappy and the relationship will also suffer.  If you spend time appreciating what the relationship means, what you like about it, what it gives you, then you'll be much happier as will the relationship.  Appreciation is better than criticism for any relationship.

That's what happens with your body relationship when in nature.  The outdoors doesn't encourage you to compare and despair; it encourages you to do and enjoy.  The smells tantalize, the sun warms, the bird calls sweeten, the hiking trail beckons, the waves soothe... all wonderful things.

If you can't regularly get out into nature (I bet you can - even to sit on your porch and watch the birds) there are some things you can do to help appreciate it and your body:

• Sit on the porch in the morning or evening and enjoy the bird calls
• Take a 10 minute walk during lunch
• Notice the natural things around you when you commute (hawks, trees, clouds, etc.)
• Learn the names of the trees around your workplace or home
• Spend time gardening (containers work fine - grow herbs for cooking!)
• Go sit along the boardwalk and listen to the waves (not your mp3 player)
• Stop and literally smell the flowers.

The last one is really meaningful to me today.  I was planting a few seeds and summer bulbs and realized something I'd never appreciated before: crocuses actually have a scent.  It is a subtle floral scent, but I never took time to smell them before.  You see, the wonder that is my body didn't let me miss it as I was bending over the crocuses to plant some bulbs.  It made me smile.

Your courageous work is twofold:

1. Make an effort to appreciate your body rather than beat it up - get out into nature and do things; it'll help.
2. Remember to focus on positives in your interpersonal relationships as well.

 Enjoy yourself, your body, your relationships, and nature.  Appreciation for the win!

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