Food, body & eating~15 minBody image research
What my body does for me
Shift attention from how your body looks to what it lets you do, feel and experience.
In the 'Expand Your Horizon' studies, writing about what the body can do — senses, movement, health, creativity, connection — improved how people felt about their bodies (Alleva and colleagues). It works by widening your focus, not by forcing yourself to love how you look.
Please leave out numbers — weights, sizes, calories or amounts. If you have a treatment team, bring this to them. The National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline, staffed by therapists on weekdays, is (866) 662-1235In a crisis, call or text 988.
1. What my senses let me experience
Hearing my kid laugh, the smell of coffee, a sunset…
2. What my body lets me do
3. What my body does to keep me alive and to heal
4. How my body lets me create or express myself
5. How my body lets me connect with others — hugs, talking, listening
6. How I take care of my body — and one way I'd like to do it more kindly
7. A short thank-you note to my body