Self acceptance and well-being
Jul 16, 2020
Self acceptance leads to better emotional,
physical and spiritual well being.
Srini Pillay, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, has shared when we feel negatively about ourselves, the regions in our brain regulating emotions, have been identified as having less grey matter. This has impact on our emotional regulation.
Self -acceptance, thinking positively about ourselves, supports better emotional regulation. Our physical health can also suffer as it is recognised those with less self-acceptance are more likely to be anxious, thereby increasing awareness in feeling the physical symptoms of chronic illnesses.
When we accept ourselves benefits are:
We feel more at peace.We feel happier.This improves our spiritual wellness as we are connected to Spirit. We no longer search outside of ourselves for acceptance and the doors are open to allow more love into our lives.The more we accept ourselves, the more we begin to...How can we accept ourselves more?
Jul 14, 2020
Here are 5 ways to learn self-acceptance
Positive affirmations
Mirror work
Reading and listening to affirming material
Standing guard with our thoughts about ourselves and replacing negative thoughts
Express gratitudeThe process of self acceptance begins with an acknowledgement of ourselves as we are.
We take the step to say, “I am ok as I am,” and set the intention to change our mindset of our own self-perceptions.
We may start with affirmations daily and reaffirm ourselves through repetition. It is important to feed our minds nourishing self-accepting thoughts, whether it be through reading books, social media posts, youtube videos or podcasts. (I do a whole module on mind imprinting technique and maximizing your minds potential, in my soon to be released online meditation course).
Mirror work can be an important tool for self acceptance and love as looking at ourselves creates an awareness of what we think and feel about...
What stands in the way of complete self acceptance?
Jul 14, 2020
Accepting oneself takes time.
Along the way, there are many challenges and barriers:
Self doubt eludes us. We struggle to let go of our mistakes and the hurts from others. We don't feel we are worthy because we have heard non-validating and non-affirming messages, continuously throughout our lives.These words and actions have imprinted in our subconscious minds our negative perceptions of who we are.
We judge ourselves. We wonder, who am I to be loved?Our self belief has been broken and it becomes difficult to accept we are worthy.
Other difficulties towards self-acceptance include:
Struggling to find the time to appreciate ourselves in our hectic livesLearning to validate ourselves without others (although it is important to surround ourselves with supportive people).First peel back your layers and let the truth of who you are begin to reveal the truth of your being.
Self acceptance can be a beautiful...
What is self-acceptance?
Jul 13, 2020
Have you ever felt you wish you could accept yourself more? That you weren't in constant battle with your heart and mind, replaying over and over again your flaws and weaknesses.
Right now, at this very moment, are you able to say you accept yourself in totality?
Self-acceptance is the ability to love who we are at this very moment, all aspects, weaknesses, flaws, strengths and beauties. Self -acceptance is our own ability to validate and give ourselves credibility. We no longer seek the approval and acceptance of others because we realise we are enough and more.Once we have accepted who we are, we are kind, compassionate and gentle with ourselves.
It is as if a weight has been lifted off our shoulders and we breathe a sigh of relief. We finally know we are okay, because for so long, we have not appreciated who we are.
We accept that we made with imperfections and that the universal force that connects us all accepts us as we are.
...
Authenticity leads to Higher Self-esteem and life satisfaction
Jul 10, 2020
There are researchers who believe authenticity, when well developed, leads to higher self esteem and life satisfaction. Goldman and Kernis (2002) developed an authenticity inventory and defined being authentic as, when a person has developed these 4 qualities:
An awareness of one's motives, feelings desires, strengths weaknesses, traits and emotions. The ability to be objective in our positive and negative attributes and qualities When we act in accordance with our values and not acting to please others for reward. Being true to ourselves When we value openness and truthfulness in close relationships and work actively in this process.We can work towards being authentic in our daily living, by setting a clear vision of who we would like to be.
Visualising ourselves in our full expression and setting realistic and attainable goals to achieve this. (This is what I do as an integrative health coach)
For example, we may wish to meet new people who like...
Resources on Authenticity
Jul 10, 2020
Some Resources for your health partners (patients) or yourself on Authenticity.
Websites with courses or exercises:
Books in no particular order:
The Gifts of Imperfection Brene BrownThe Authenticity Principle Ritu BhasinHow to see yourself as you really are - The Dalai LamaHonouring and Serving,
Simran K. Rattan MD
Simran K. Rattan MD
The Courage To Be You
Jul 09, 2020
7 ways to help you be more authentic:
Be intentional about Sharing feelings with those we love respectfully and kindly as much as you can Work on your own Self acceptance Work on your own Self love and Self WorthIntentionally give yourself permission to express yourselfBe in relationships with those who accept you as you are and are authentic themselvesGet intentional about reflecting on what emotions come up for you when you feel like “shrinking” when challenging situations ariseEmbrace that you are not perfect and that is ok. You can Healthy strive - how can I improve? vs. Unhealthy strive What will they think?The beauty about being yourself, is you are unique. No one was made exactly like you.
Even monozygotic identical twins have different personalities. No one has your physical appearance, your mind, your soul, your insights, your perceptions of the world.
People may share common attributes, common ideals, but there is only ONE...
What are the sacrifices of not being authentic?
Jul 08, 2020
Here are 5 Things we may sacrifice when we are not living Authentically:
1) A Meaningful life
2) A Purposeful Life
4) A Self-Compassionate Life
4) A life full of Lasting Relationships
5) A life of Self Growth & Discovery
We feel resistance when we are not ourselves.
Our spirit knows it.
We feel lost and something is amiss in our lives.
We feel stunted in growth.
We feel like we have offered the world a tailored version of who we are and continue to constantly modify ourselves for approval.
In this process, the relationships we form with others may not be long lasting if only a version of ourselves that is accepted is worthy of acknowledgement.
We may miss finding our unique attributes, skills and talents because we are suppressing who we really are.
We don't feel good even though others may like us.
As we start to break free and feel more authentic, we may notice that the friendships and relationships, who only liked a certain version of...
Why do people struggle to be themselves?
Jul 07, 2020
Have you ever felt like you struggle to fit in? Or that no one understands you?
You want to be loved, but don't want to have to struggle in conflict with doing things that will make you more acceptable to others while losing yourself in the process.
Being ourselves in a world with so many pressures, so many expectations and various ‘norms,’ can be daunting.
The risk of being rejected and not accepted feels too much and it can seem easier to go with the flow, blend in with the crowd, agree when you don’t and sacrifice your authentic self, for approval.
Having the courage to be yourself is a challenge many face.
As children we learn ways of behaving that are deemed as worthy of approval from those around us. If our behaviour is not acceptable we take it as a reflection of who we are not as a socially constructed norm.
This follows us through life into adolescence, where we have found ‘place’ amongst peers who accept often...
What Is Authenticity?
Jul 06, 2020
Do you feel like you are being yourself? Or maybe you are trying to be yourself but shy away from that person depending on the situation?
What is Authenticity?
Authenticity is key to living a life that is joyful, meaningful and purposeful.
It is about honouring who you are and letting yourself be free to express without any judgment, free from your own judgment, or the judgements of others.
Genuinity with yourself is the key to having the courage to be you.
Here are 5 key thoughts on what I think Authenticity is:
Being Genuine with yourselfEmbracing who you areKnowing who you areUnderstanding you are not perfectLoving yourself and your idiosyncrasiesBeing authentic means allowing ourselves to express our emotions to others and know that it’s ok to be angry, sad, upset in a healthy way.
Having these emotions is a natural part of being human and authenticity means we don't have to suppress them.
We allow these emotions to...