10 Easy & Proven Good Habits For A Healthy Body Image
This post is all about 10 good habits designed for every Christian woman facing body image struggles. These are game-changers you wonโt want to miss out on!
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Itโs that time of the year again, isnโt it?
You reflect on the bad habits youโll leave behind, and youโre hopeful of the good habits youโll welcome the new year with!
Your heart is brimming with hopeโฆ
You jot down your resolutions and promises for the New Year (the ones you truly think will create the โbest version of youโฆโ)
Among them the perennial vow to embrace healthy habits and love and accept yourself a little more โ especially in the way you view your body.
You start January with a fiery determination, pledging to break free from the chains of low self-esteem and negative body image.
Oh, the gusto you carry into those first few days!
You tackle all of the โpositive habits that lead to a healthy lifestyleโฆโ
You may think that by paying more attention to your physical health, you will live a happy lifeโฆ
So the gym membership cards are swiped, the grocery store cart is piled with healthy foods, and you promise yourself an abundance of self-love.
But, letโs be real, my beautiful friendโฆ
By the second week of January, life sneaks back inโฆ
The demands of your days, the stresses, the old habits โ they creep back, wrapping you in their familiar embrace.
You know the story too well, donโt you? (Me tooโฆ)
But fear not! (Said standing tall โ in a firm voice โ and with a confident grin that says, โOoooh, I canโt wait to see what Jesus has in store for you.โ)
Iโm giving you 10 good habits to include in your daily routine to help you promote positive change.
Not unattainable habits but small โ sustainable changes.
This post is all about redefining the meaning of good habits. Not as distant yearnings but as everyday choices rooted in self-compassion โ one small, grace-filled step at a time. All you need to do is take the first stepโฆ
Plus, youโll find a bunch of FREE goodies throughout the post that you can use to practice your new habits!
What Is A Habit?
Iโve found that a great way to assimilate the topic is by defining it โ so you can have a solid foundation for the good stuff ๐.
Habit Definition:
A habit is a routine or practice performed regularly โ an automatic response to a specific situation.
Like brushing your teeth before bed or fidgeting when youโre nervousโฆ.
But hereโs the thingโฆ
Good habits, bad habits, healthy habits, unhealthy habits โ whatever label you put on them go SO much deeper than fidgeting.
Habits are a big part of your everyday choices โ even the ones you donโt think about!
Your feelings can become habits too. If you often feel bad about your body, those feelings can become a habit.
But the good thing is โ just like habits can make you feel bad, they can also help you feel better about your body.
Imagine creating habits that make you feel good about yourself instead of bringing you downโฆ
Itโs like turning a negative feeling into a positive one.
Soโฆ
What Makes a Habit a Habit?
Habits happen when actions become automatic with little or no thought. This is because the things you do often get ingrained in your brain.
Isnโt it fascinating how it all starts in your God-given central computer โ your brain?!
FUN FACTโฆ
The brain and the mind are connected because the brain thinks and feels, affecting how you perceive things in your mind.
According to James Clear, changing your habits is challenging for two reasonsโฆ
- You try to change the wrong thing.
- You try to change your habits in the wrong way.
He says, โThe most effective way to change your habits is to focus not on what you want to achieve โ but on who you wish to become.
Your IDENTITY emerges out of your habits ๐คฏ.
Every action is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.โ
Other FUN FACTSโฆ
Good Habits can change your beliefs about yourself.
Bad Habits can change your beliefs about yourself.
๐คท๐ปโโ๏ธ
Huh? I know right?! So what gives โ what do I do?
I have good news โ Iโm going to give you a detailed step-by-step so you can work on creating good habitsโฆ
Before we continue โ there are two questions Iโd like you to keep in mind while going through the 10 habitsโฆ
- What habits can I practice on a regular basis to change my beliefs about myself and my body?
- How can I embrace my IDENTITY in Christ?
Hereโs my list of good habits for you to choose from and practice on a daily basisโฆ
10 Good Habits for a Healthy Body Image
1๏ธโฃ Daily Bible Affirmations
Start your day by reading Bible verses that emphasize your worth and identity in Christ.
Example: Begin your day by reading Bible verses that remind you of Godโs unwavering love. Reflect on how these verses reinforce your worth as His cherished daughter.
This habit will challenge negative thoughts with truthful-positive thoughts. By replacing self-criticism with self-compassion, you reinforce your belief in Godโs love for you, boosting your self-esteem.
2๏ธโฃ Gratitude Prayer
Every night, pray and thank God for the unique qualities He gifted you. Observe your thoughts without judgment, reducing anxiety and promoting emotional well-being.
Example: Every night, express gratitude to God for the unique qualities He has blessed you with. Thank Him for your body, acknowledging it as His divine creation.
This practice will nurture appreciation for yourself as Godโs creation, deepening your self-love.
3๏ธโฃ Mirror Compliments
(Not to be confused with Body Checking)
Each morning, stand in front of the mirror and compliment yourself. Focus on your inner qualities and stand firm in your daughtership โ as a child of God.
Example: Stand before the mirror each morning and appreciate the wonderful person God made you to be. Compliment your inner strength, kindness, and the beauty that radiates from your soul.
This habit will enhance your self-perception as a beloved daughter of God.
๐ Explore Related Posts ๐
- Negative Body Image: A Christian Perspective
- Ultimate Guide On How To Practice Self-Love
- Revealing the Comparison Trap: How Social Image Impacts Body Image
4๏ธโฃ Positive Scripture Journaling
Write down Bible verses that talk about self-love and identity in Christ. Reflect on how these verses relate to you personally, reinforcing your beliefs about your worth.
Example: Write down Bible verses that emphasize Godโs love for you and your identity in Christ. Reflect on how these verses mirror your personal worth and value.
This practice will strengthen your beliefs about your inherent value.
5๏ธโฃ Self-Compassion Challenge
Perform one act of kindness for yourself every day. Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a close friend.
Example: Embrace a daily act of self-kindness, whether itโs indulging in a favorite book, savoring a cup of tea, or practicing a physical activity you enjoy, like taking a peaceful nature walk. Treat yourself with the same compassion God shows you.
This habit will teach you to treat your body with compassion and care.
Try this 7-Day Self-Compassion Challenge
6๏ธโฃ Faithful Affirmations
Create positive faith-based affirmations. Repeat these affirmations daily.
Example: Craft positive affirmations rooted in your faith, such as โI am fearfully and wonderfully made by God.โ Repeat these affirmations daily.
This habit will allow Godโs truth to reshape your self-beliefs โ empowering you with confidence.
7๏ธโฃ Prayerful Meditation
Spend a few minutes in prayer and meditation each day. Ask God to help you see yourself through His eyes, allowing His love to transform your self-perception.
Example: Dedicate moments each day to prayer and meditation. Ask God to help you view yourself through His eyes, embracing His unconditional love.
This habit will allow His divine perspective to transform any self-doubt into self-assurance.
8๏ธโฃ Social Support
Surround yourself with spiritually mature women who uplift and encourage you, providing emotional reinforcement.
Example: Reach out to friends or family members when youโre feeling down. Share your feelings and allow them to provide support and understanding.
Additionally, explore the stories of inspiring women in your social circle whose faith influenced their self-perception and empowered them. Draw inspiration from their experiences, finding strength in your own identity in Christ.
This habit will help you establish a strong support system, allowing you to draw strength from their stories and empowering your personal journey of self-discovery and self-love.
๐ Recommended Resources ๐
The BEST โGood Habitsโ Book: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Faith-Based Body Image Resources Created just for you!
FREE Body Image Printables to help you meet your goalsโฆ
9๏ธโฃ Body-Acceptance Scriptures
Find Bible verses that emphasize the beauty of Godโs creation, including your body. Repeat these verses during moments of self-doubt, reinforcing your belief in your God-given beauty.
Example: Seek out Bible verses celebrating the beauty of Godโs creation, including your body. Memorize these verses and recite them during moments of self-doubt.
Let these truths reinforce your belief in your God-given beauty and worth.
๐ Empowering Wardrobe Choices
(You are loved AT-ANY-SIZE)
Make a habit of wearing clothes that make you feel great inside and out. Embrace your unique fashion preference, not what you think you โshouldโ wear โ but what genuinely makes you comfortable and happy.
Example: Purge your closet of ill-fitting clothes. Let go of the notion that size defines you. Invest in clothing that fits your body NOW โ enhancing your confidence.
This habit empowers you to embrace your authentic self and radiate confidence in your everyday life.
This one is hard (trust me, I know from experience) โ but I know that change is possible โ one small step at a time.
And I also understand that transforming your body image and self-belief can feel like a scary taskโฆ
But Iโm here to guide you with a method thatโs as gentle as it is effective.
Hereโs the simple step-by-step I promised you ๐
This Is How You Can Start These Good Habits
I understand that embracing new habits can feel overwhelming โ especially when youโre on a journey to transform your body image and self-belief as Godโs masterfully created daughter.
Besides time management, the best way to achieve long-term goals is to break it down into simple small stepsโฆ
(inspired by Atomic Habits โTwo-Minute Ruleโ)
Step 1: Identify Your Habit
Choose one positive habit you want to cultivate.
Step 2: Break It Down
Now, break this habit into a tiny action that takes less than two minutes. (Youโll be surprised, this two-minute habit formation method + a positive attitude will take you a long way.)
For instance, if your goal is to read more, start with reading just one page.
Step 3: Anchor It
Connect your new habit to something you already do daily.
Make it a natural part of your routine. If you want to pray more, link it to your morning routine โ right after you wake up.
Step 4: Start Small
Focus only on the first two minutes.
Donโt think about the entire task. Just those initial moments. Itโs about making it so easy that you canโt say no.
Step 5: Be Consistent
Repeat this small action every single day โ without fail.
Consistency is your superpower here. Itโs what will make this new habit stick.
Step 6: Gradually Increase
Once youโve mastered those first two minutes, you can slowly increase the time or complexity of your habit.
It could be reading two pages instead of one or adding a few more minutes to your prayer time.
Remember, this method works wonders because it breaks down your goals into manageable, achievable steps.
Itโs not about rushing โ itโs about progress โ no matter how slowโฆ
Each tiny action you take is a victory, bringing you closer to the confident, beautiful-bold-confident woman you truly are in Godโs eyes.
Stay strong! Youโve got this, and I believe in you.
P.S. Did you notice that none of the 10 good habits are habits that work on your physical health?
While making your physical health a priority is vital to your overall health โ your mental health and your spiritual health are also super important!
Hereโs a bonus with some other great habitsโฆ
- work on keeping your stress levels at bay
- try your best to get enough sleep
- unfollow social media accounts that produce negative consequences โ like feeling bad about your looks
- monitor your screen time
- practice positive thinking in your daily life
- when all else fails โ grab a glass of water โ step out for some fresh air โ and spend some quality time with your Abba Father
My prayer for you is that my decades of experience of โ an all-consuming battle with body image issues โ self-esteem struggles โ and how God has radically worked on my heart will bless and inspire you!
Youโre Invitedโฆ
You have an open invitation to binge on all of my posts โ written with Holy Spirit-inspired words and filled with love just for you โ my beautiful friend.
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Thank you for joining me on this journey. You are loved, precious, and wonderfully made.
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