#MotivationMonday: Are You Kind to Yourself? #WomanKind
I consider myself to be a good friend, wife, mother and sister. If I notice that my friends and family need a helping hand or a shoulder to cry, I am the first to go and help them.
I am known for having a big smile on my face and for being very positive most of the time – even first thing in the morning. Don’t get me wrong, I have bad days, it happens to all of us, but I prefer to look at the positive side and smile instead.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and said something to yourself that you wouldn’t dare saying to your friend?
You are not alone, 88% of the women surveyed by Weight Watchers, as part of their #WomanKind campaign, said that they wouldn’t criticise others the way they criticise themselves – myself included!
The research also found that the majority of us compliment other people in ways we would never compliment themselves. Why would that be? Why can we be so pleasant to others but forget about looking after ourselves?
I must confess I totally relate to the #WomanKind video and the 82% of women who feel that the relationships they have with themselves could be stronger. Although they are good friends and kind to others, 85% of them would like to be kinder to themselves.
What can we do to change that and establish a stronger relationship with ourselves? How can we build a stronger, healthier and kinder relationship between body and mind?
As a note to self, those are my top 5 tip for being kind to ourselves:
- Make time for yourself. Not matter how long, make sure you spend a few minutes daily to do whatever makes you happy, perhaps having a hot bath, going to the park to feed the ducks or reading your favourite book.
- Understand (and love the fact) you are unique. We are all very different and equally special. There is no point comparing us to others. We have many talents and should appreciate everything that makes us unique!
- Look in the mirror and compliment yourself daily. Perhaps you like how you styled your hair today, or perhaps you like your earrings or outfit, just say something nice to yourself, as you would compliment your best friend.
- Treat yourself as you would treat your friend. I am known for giving some great friends to my friends and family, but rarely treat myself to something nice. It is about to change, treating myself is has now become a priority.
- Enjoy a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Find a happy medium in everything that we do. As my mum would say, it is all about finding a balance, she would often say that I am either 8 or 80, and that I could do with some moderation. Life is all about enjoying everything in moderation, eating healthily but having a slice a cake, being active but remembering to spend time with friends and family, achieving life-work balance and, ultimately, being happy with yourself and your body!
What are your top tips to be kind to yourself?
This post has been written in collaboration with Weight Watchers, however the opinions expressed in this post are honest and my own.