Australian Natural Health Magazine

Find your confidence

When photoshop and filters interfere with our perception of beauty and reality it can be hard to maintain a healthy, happy body image.

Try these body positive tactics to put your body image on the road to recovery:

1. Acceptance and psychology
Cognitive behavioural therapy (also known as CBT) focuses on mindfulness and flexibility of thoughts and feelings in order to break the cycle of a negative mind. Book an apointment with a qualified psychologist or try MoodGym by the Australian National University.

2. Yoga
Yoga can be effective in promoting self-care, reducing stress levels, improving health, and helping to become in tune with your body. However, it is not a sufficient treatment on its own. For studios and instructors visit Yoga Australia.

3. Meditation
Working well with psychotherapy, meditation works to reverse the patterns of deregulated behaviours and emotions and decreases destructive coping strategies. It’s also an effective way to promote awareness of your body’s physical cues of hunger. For more information and free meditation visit the Meditation Society of Australia.

4. Remedial massage
Performed by a trained massage therapist, remedial massage increases levels of serotonin and dopamine while reducing depression, anxiety and stress levels through the systematic manipulation of soft tissues in the body. Book a remidial massage with your quaified physiotherapist are masseur. 

5. Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps in the development of skills relating to emotional regulation, distress tolerance and personal relationships. It promotes the state of being and teaches acceptance and self-compassion to combat negative thoughts. Practise mindfulness by focusing on the present and putting aside thoughts of the past and future, while not allowing yourself to be distracted by the things around you. For more information, techniques and apps visit Smiling Mind or Bhuddify.

6. Kinesiology
Kinesiology promotes the study of energy balancing and human movement, helping to release healing energy that may be blocked. It helps to identify areas in which a person may be nutritionally lacking, targets emotional issues, relieves pain and increases mental and physical coordination. To find a practitioner visit the Australian Kinesiology Assocation.

7. Acupuncture
A natural form of Chinese medicine, acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points along the body to prevent and treat illness. It provides pain relief, and addresses physical, psychological and emotional signs in the body. For more information and to find a therapist visit the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association (AACMA). 

The key to feeling beautiful is to feel confident in your own skin. Discover Dr Lanzer's range of facial treatments that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and revitalised.

You might like: Abhyanga massage - the essential guide.