Recovery is volatile. You gain weight and loose weight. You break bad habits and fall back into them. You beat yourself up. You try to love your body, then briefly actually love your body, then hate it again. You find yourself joyfully eating your favorite foods and then regretting it immediately. You’re alert to changes in how your clothes fit, and witness your body take up more space in the mirror and in photos. Recovery is a true test of resilience, strength and self-love. But, loving our bodies during this time might feel supremely unrealistic. The link between food and your body is painfully strong, but what about the link between you and your body, without food? Maybe that’s something you can heal first before tackling the food thing.
During recovery, body kindness is the stepping stone to body love. It’s safer, attainable, realistic, and feels like a breath of the freshest air. Asking yourself, how can I be kind to my body today, is YOU choosing recovery. Every kind thing you do for your body is a little victory that honors your recovery. Noticing these things will build the momentum and strength you need to finally heal.
Yes, we can practice body kindness that involves food (like eating a nutritious breakfast), but effff focusing on food for a few minutes. You’ve spent enough time worrying about that.
With the help of blog readers, IG followers, and loyal Facebook friends, I’ve culminated a list of 101 Ways you Can Be Kind To Your Body (That don’t involve food).
*Not all acts of Body Kindness on this list are kid (or socially-conservative person) friendly.
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Floss
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Paint your nails a fun color
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Take a power nap
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Go on a walk in your neighborhood
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Hydrate
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Choose the stairs (or the elevator)!
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Stretch
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Dance
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Get a haircut
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Exfoliate
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Moisturize
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Wear a sun dress
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Get a massage
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Skip the treadmill because it usually sucks anyway
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Take your lunch break outside
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Walk to work
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Take a fitness class for funsies
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Take a bath
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Buy new lingerie
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Take a bath with really nice soap
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Buy yourself quality makeup
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Do your makeup differently
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Don’t wear any makeup
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Try a face mask
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Wear sunblock
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Go outside
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Meditate
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Take a cute selfie
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Don’t pop that zit
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Smile
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Take deep breaths
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Sleep in
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Go to bed early
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Do yoga
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Go to a comedy show and belly laugh
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Laugh on purpose
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Laugh louder on purpose
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Drink tea
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Wear sunglasses
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Cuddle with someone
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Give more hugs
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Cuddle with your pet
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Wear your favorite scent
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Go to the gym
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Relax INSTEAD of going to the gym
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Wear an outfit you love
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Try a new hairdo
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Get a facial
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Go on a hike
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Look at yourself in the mirror and say “I’m a sexy mofo” and then laugh at yourself for saying “mofo”
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Go to the Gyno
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Do a breast exam
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Get tested for STDs
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Masturbate
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Have sex with someone you care about
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Practice safe sex
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Make out
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Go to the dentist
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Drink a glass of red wine
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Wear your glasses (instead of your contacts)
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Swim in the ocean
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Buy yourself flowers so your room smells nice
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Clean your makeup brushes
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Remove your makeup before bed
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Dress up for no reason
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Get a pedicure
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Sleep in the nicest mattress you can afford
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Practice gratitude for your body
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Say kind things about your body
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Post body positive sticky notes everywhere
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Identify body parts you like
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Listen to affirmations
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Use a loofa
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Lotion up
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Take a sick day to rest
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Throw out the jeans you no longer fit into
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Wear your goddamn seatbelt
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Wear a helmet
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Take a vacation
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Use non-cruelty products (not tested on animals)
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Use all natural products
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Wear a crop top (because why not)
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Give yourself a scalp massage
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Buy yourself a new razor
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Sleep naked
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Take your vitamins
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Wear comfortable walking shoes
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Use really good smelling hair products
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Wash your sheets so they’re crisp and clean
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Wall twerk
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Express your emotions
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Get vaccinated
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Avoid unnecessary medications
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Take necessary medications
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Wear silky pajamas
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Journal
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Do a walking meditation
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Use a foam roller
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Use a q-tip
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Wear fuzzy slippers/socks
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Take a hot shower
I’m curious to hear what you do every day to be kind to your body. Comment below on what you did to be kind to your body today!
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