All those sayings and song lyrics about listening to your heart? If you want to boost your body image, it might be time to take them a little more literally. Simply listening to your heartbeat can help you forge a deeper connection with your body, finds a new study from the Royal Holloway University of London. Researchers asked women to keep tabs on their own heartbeats simply by listening to them, and found that participants who were easily able to hear the beats were more likely to be in sync with their bodies. The kicker? Those same women were also less likely to value their bodies solely in terms of physical appearance. Think of it like this: If you’re attuned to all the amazing ways your body works, you won’t be as concerned with how it looks. “When you hear your heart beating, you can experience your body as the powerful, life-giving machine that it is, versus just an object,” says Susan Bartell, PsyD, a psychologist in New York. So when you catch yourself cringing into the mirror, cut it out—and listen up. Practice hearing your own heartbeat, or place your hand over your chest to feel the beats instead. That tactic, combined with these three additional strategies, will boost your body confidence in no time. Wear clothes that (really) fit. Those jeans from a decade ago that you keep squeezing into? Get rid of them. “Clothes that are too small are a constant reminder that you should be thinner,” Bartell says. Too-big pieces aren’t any better, since they make you feel like you’re hiding your body. Instead, wear clothes that fit the body you have now. “If your outfit looks great and flatters your body, you’ll feel good about yourself,” Bartell says. Pal around with positive people. Your friends are like mirrors, and if they spend tons of time complaining about their body flaws and diet failures, you’ll probably end up doing the same. Hang around friends who feel good about themselves, and you’ll score an instant boost too, Bartell advises. Don’t challenge yourself. If loved ones insist that you look healthy, accept that it’s the truth. But if you and your doctor agree that weight loss is a healthy option, make sure the timing is realistic. “Dealing with a sick parent or major stress at work is hard enough,” Bartell says. “Don’t add more pressure by trying lose weight at the same time.” More from Prevention: 5 New Ways To Love Yourself Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team.
