Are you ready to give a little boost to your body image? It’s essential to nurture a sense of appreciation and respect for your body on a daily basis, since the body is where it all begins for women. How you feel about your physical shape affects how you think about yourself in general — as you walk down the street, as you stand in the shower, and as you find romantic time with your partner.

Instead of putting all your energy into clothing, beauty treatments, and dieting, try some body love that has nothing to do with changing yourself physically. Simply connect to your body, with no judgment or goal-oriented thinking. And remember not to compare yourself with airbrushed models in magazines. Keep it in perspective: Marilyn Monroe was a size 14 and if Barbie was a real person, her proportions would cause her to walk on all fours!

Here are some ways to start boosting your body image:

Use your body in a way that reminds you of its wholeness and connectedness, such as swimming, yoga, or belly dancing.

Explore other ways to get in tune with your body. Try acupuncture, foot reflexology, or interpretive dancing.

Be generous with your compliments to others and you will begin to take a softer approach with yourself.

Look at family pictures through the generations to get a sense of where you came from and the legacy you help maintain.

Take care of yourself and you’ll realize that you are worth being taken care of. Make decisions that protect your health and well-being, whether it’s making that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off or standing up for yourself when someone tries to knock you down.