{via etsy by BLintonPhotography}

We’ve all had those days when one look in the mirror spikes our stress levels. (I still do.) For many of us, that’s when the inner critic starts ranting and raving. Before we know it we’re bashing our bodies and berating our qualities as a whole.

But it doesn’t have to escalate to an all-out brawl between you and your body. Here are several ways to cope without fueling those negative thoughts and sinking your self-esteem. Some of these can be done in the moment; others can be done later in the day.

{I’ve always wanted to see these flowers in person. I finally did in Connecticut!}

Last week I was up north visiting my family and friends. I had a wonderful time. And while we stayed busy, there were certainly pockets of relaxation (like when we went to Connecticut and spent all day in a park).

But I’m a creature of habit. I thrive on routines (with some flexibility and freedom in between).

While I was away, I had very little structure. My sleeping, eating and exercise patterns zig-zagged.

So it’s not surprising that when I got back to Florida, I didn’t feel relaxed. I was uptight and edgy.

{via etsy by birdandbloke}

Today, I’m republishing an old piece on what people with a positive body image know. I’ve edited it and added a few more points. I hope you enjoy it!

I used to think that people who are thin and muscular (and thereby fit our odd, ridiculous Western standards) absolutely love their bodies. How could they not?

I also used to think that I couldn’t love or even like or even accept my body until I lost weight, until I actually deserved to love it. In my current shape, it just wasn’t right to have a healthy body image. I had to be ashamed instead.

{via etsy by Lisa Russo}

So many of us are scared to gain weight. And so many of us become disgusted with ourselves when we do.

It’s this fear and disgust that drives our desire to diet, engage in punishing exercise and hate our bodies unless the scale says a certain number. They can also color how we see ourselves at the core: as failures.

{via etsy by Lori}

Recently a reader who’s planning her own wedding emailed me with an important question about self-love: how do you practice self-love when so many things around you essentially suggest the opposite?

The problem is that in our culture weddings have become less about love and more about looks, losing weight, matching napkin rings and sky-high expectations.

{via etsy by Kay Hulbert}

Today, I’m honored to share a guest post by Darla Breckenridge, MS, a psychologist specializing in binge eating at Green Mountain at Fox Run, a women’s healthy weight retreat. In 2011, Darla co-authored Journey into Self: A Hundred Days of Guided Mindful Reflection.

Below, Darla explores what we can do when we don’t love our bodies and any positive body talk feels oh-so faraway. She offers a powerful and valuable technique that leads us away from body hatred and onto a more positive — and feasible and authentic — path.

{Since I know taking and sharing selfies is a vulnerable process, I figured I’d get us started. So that’s me, wearing one of my favorite jackets and rings}

Every Monday features a tip, activity, inspiring quote or some other tidbit that helps boost your body image, whether directly or indirectly — and hopefully kick-starts your week on a positive note!

Got a tip for improving body image? Email me at mtartakovsky at gmail dot com, and I’ll be happy to feature it. I’d love to hear from you!

Taking self-portraits is a vulnerable act. Many of us barely like looking in the mirror. So capturing ourselves with a camera — a sort of permanent image — feels uncomfortable, silly and even scary.

So why the heck am I suggesting you try it?

{via etsy by Katia Zhukova}

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since writing Weightless is that you don’t need to chain yourself to a scale in order to be happy or healthy. You can feel better and boost your health by focusing on habits, not weight loss.

What’s the problem with focusing on weight?

{via etsy by Linda Raymond}

I was inspired to write today’s post by this powerful piece from Kate Fridkis on why she writes about body image.

I write about body image because every day we’re told we’re unworthy unless we weigh a certain number or look a certain way. Every day many of us feel a palpable pressure to focus on our physical appearance at all costs.

Our lives are filled with worries over eating dessert and not working out enough.

{via etsy by Karie Jorgensen}

A positive body image goes beyond liking your looks. It encompasses taking good care of yourself and leading a fulfilling life. In this weekly series, I share some of my favorite posts from some of my favorite bloggers on this topic. Sometimes I also share relevant pieces that I’ve written on the Web. Hope you find these links inspiring!

Mara and Christie chat about self-care in this super valuable podcast. One of the topics they delved into was hygiene and the idea that you only shower and put on nice clothes if you’re going out. Wow. I can sooo relate to thinking the same way. I think this idea goes hand in hand with the idea that putting on your nicest perfume or clothes is a waste.