Have you said “thank you” to your body?
Told your body the reasons you appreciate it?
Expressed gratitude for your body and all the miracles it performs each day?

In the new year, I find myself taking moments to recognize the value of others in my life (my family, friends, co-workers), but not recognizing the value of myself. 

Often expressions of thankfulness come more naturally to others than to ourselves. So in this article we are going to explore how you can show maximum appreciation in taking care of yourself.

Important: The Value of Gratitude

In truth, gratitude is a principle we cannot afford to miss. So how do you honor and give thanks to your body? To yourself? What is the ultimate self care system for you?

Let’s brainstorm the top 10 ways to show yourself you care: 

1. Positive Affirmations/Praise. What do you say when you talk to yourself? Letting yourself know you appreciate them by verbal praise lands at the top of motivational factor lists. We would never talk to a friend the way we sometimes speak to ourselves. Negative programming prevents you from becoming and doing exactly what you want. A clever man, by the name of Dr. Shad Helmstetter, wrote a book called, ‘What to Say When You Talk to Yourself’. Do you want to know some of his secrets? No Purchase required.
   
2. Thank you. Incorporating these two words into your everyday interactions with yourself makes great strides toward seeing the benefits of gratitude throughout your life. I know it sounds silly to say “thank you” to yourself however try it out and see for yourself. We will get you started: When you open your eyes in the morning say “thank you for helping me see the world” or when you go for a walk outside thank your legs for functioning or your lungs for breathing in fresh air. After all, 69 percent of people feel better when appreciated, according to Work.com.
   
3. Massage. Yes, we said the M word…MASSAGE. Now you might not be able to afford to have a massage therapist come to your house each day or even each week. Did you know that you can perform DIY self massage moves on yourself and get all the benefits of a massage? Touch is our primary source to show our compassion. So why not touch yourself daily and show yourself the greatest compassion possible. We’ve barely scratched the surface on touch and the effect it plays in our daily lives. As you can see, touch is imperative for connection, health, and a positive frame of mind. So get massaging yourself, book a massage or massage a friend today. If you need some self massage tips, check out Solossage for some free DIY massage moves that will blow your mind.
   
4. Exercise. Movement is a key ingredient in appreciating your body and taking care of your home. When you exercise, move and sweat, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins interact with the receptors in your brain that reduce your perception of pain. Endorphins also trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. Endorphins make you happy. Happiness is a key ingredient in life. Happiness is a choice. You can choose to simply exercise, therefore forcing your body to release endorphins and be happy. What better way to appreciate your body, then to be happy.
   
5. Stretching. Call it yoga, call it warming up, call it what you like, your body needs to get stretched out and breathe deeply. Think gumbi, think of a hard piece of cold cheese vs a wam bendy slice of cheese that is limber and flexible. Appreciate your body by not allowing your body to get knotted and kinked up plus reduce your chance of injury. We love hot yoga. One method of hot yoga, Bikram yoga in particular, improves lower body strength, lower and upper body range of motion, and balance. Don’t take our word for it. Go to class and find out exactly what this yoga does for yourself. Remember DO YOU!
   
6. Good Nutrition: Let’s face is Good Nutrition is Good Self-Care. Whole foods, high-quality protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, vegetables and fruits are essential. Ditch the processed and packaged foods and eat as close to nature as possible. Remember to eat regularly and it is not an all or nothing approach. Try adopting the 90/10 Mindset to introduce more equilibrium into your nutrition. This mindset revolves around sticking to your nutrition-related goals and feeling totally “on it” 90% of the time while indulging mindfully during the remaining 10% of the time. We recommend stocking your kitchen with essentials, so it’s easier to make a nourishing meal even when you’re tired.
   
7. Herbs & Essential Oils. In addition to good nutrition there are dozens of herbs and essential oils to support the body. From herbs to oils, we explore each category in depth in The Solossage System. Did you know Nettle Leaf contains large amounts of vitamins and trace minerals and helps the body stay hydrated and remove toxins? Or that fresh ginger root can be steeped in boiling water to make a tea that is very effective against sinus symptoms and congestion. Plus ginger baths are a soothing way to stop some of the discomfort of body aches? Chamomile is calming and seems to help children sleep (An absolute staple for Lani’s daughter). Plus the endless list of essential oils to help your body be awake and stimulated or relaxed and sleepy.
   
8. Hydration. Do not wait until you are sick, make hydrating your body a regular practice to drink a minimum of 80 ounces a day. I find that we all feel better when we stay well hydrated. The CDC identifies water as important in the elimination of bodily waste, mood management and mental clarity. Grab your water bottle (or go purchase one if you do not have one), carry it with you at all times to hydrate daily. Fill it up when you go out to restaurants or when you are at your friends. Make drinking a min of 80 ounces a day a daily habit and your life will change and your body will love you for it.
   
9. Sleep. Give your body extra love by getting a restful night’s sleep, each night. Your body is grateful for sleep and a well rested, recharged body is one of the best ways to appreciate yourself. Did you know 1 in 4 people are affected by Insomnia? The good news is that most cases of insomnia can be cured with changes you can make on your own—without relying on sleep specialists or pills. Get a good night’s sleep and start thanking your body tonight, in turn your body will thank you tomorrow.
   
10. Relaxation & Down Time. Relaxation creates a calmer clear mind, which aids in positive thinking, memory and decision making. Relax your mind and body without relying on specialists, drugs or pills. Give yourself a chance to do nothing, remove pressure to go above and beyond the usual and just drop in and be with yourself without any expectation or plans. This time breeds a sense of clarity and eases stress.

Perhaps, the primary way to breed an atmosphere of thankfulness is to be a gratitude model. 

You will find that a consistent practice of gratitude towards yourself will led to:

• Greater joy and pleasure.
• Higher levels of positive emotions.
• Stronger immune systems.
• Increased alertness.
• Less aches and pains.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Fewer experiences of loneliness and isolation.
• Enhanced senses of forgiveness.
• Improved acts of outgoing behavior.

And, this is just a short list. Research supports the principle that extending gratitude rewards you, the giver.

How do you appreciate yourself and express gratitude to your body?

Share your tips below!

It Shouldn’t Be Hard to Be Grateful…

Access The Solossage System to get a library of gratitude and wellness practices. Have this system available in your pocket anytime, anywhere. This system goes way beyond gratitude  and dives deep into self care, essential oils, lymphatic drainage, reflexology and DIY self massage hacks to keep you healthy and loving your body.

~ Small, daily, seemingly insignificant habits, when done consistently over time, yield miraculous results. ~

DO YOU.

The Solossage System is your very own personal care system!

I couldn’t find natural solutions bundled into one system that met my standards, so I created my own. The Solossage System is the result of decades of research and dozens of tests, and your family can now use them too! We update this system regularly to make self care simple.

Get access to The Solossage System today.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article has not been medically reviewed. We recommend that you talk with your doctor as this is not personal medical advice.