6 Habits That Helped Me Build a Better Relationship with My Body

By Sophia Argyropoulos

RAQ Director & Designer

 

In a world obsessed with appearances, cultivating a neutral, let alone positive, relationship with one's body can at times feel like an uphill battle. 

As the founder of RAQ Apparel, a brand that specialises in supportive and comfortable bikinis for fuller busts with a range that spans 66 bra sizes, the concept of body neutrality is always on my mind. I'm constantly contemplating how the decisions we make as a brand can impact how our customers and community feel about their bodies. The potential impact we have is at the back of my mind when I'm doing everything from selecting images for Instagram to adjusting the design of a bikini strap.

I thought I would share some practices that have helped me develop a more neutral relationship with my body, with the hope they may inspire you too!

Note: I am serious when I say these are practices. I by no means have a "perfectly" neutral perspective of my body. I'm only human!

1) Daily Affirmations

I've come to realise that embracing neutrality begins with the thoughts in my head and the messages I subconsciously repeat to myself. I use the "I am" daily affirmation app, which helps rewire my brain, build self-esteem, and change negative thought patterns. I've set my preferences to show cards from specific categories, the most relevant one being "body acceptance". I have removed all the other apps from my home page and placed the affirmations widget front and center so that when I open my phone, there is always a new affirmation for me to read. These affirmations remind me daily of my body's strength and resilience, helping shift the focus from how it looks, to how it feels.

2) Movement for Joy

For me, exercise isn't about aesthetics; it's about how it makes me feel. Whether it's attempting the Bed Chem tiktok dance over and over (my housemates can attest) or walking in nature, I love the feeling of those juicy endorphins and the power they have to bring back the fun and worry-free version of me. Finding activities I love and reconnecting to those I loved as a younger person makes staying active a more effortless part of my routine. 

3) Yoga and Mindfulness

Through yoga and mindfulness, I've connected with my body in a new way, learning to appreciate it for how it functions rather than how it looks. These practices help cultivate embodiment, enhancing my awareness of physical sensations and emotions. (I also must note that I became a twice-a-day-meditator for a period of 7 days earlier this year and although I have not continued, I can officially vouch for how present and in tune with my body I was during that period.)

For those that struggle to sit through a meditation or find their mind wondering during a vinyasa flow (guilty!), here are some super simple somatic practices that offer the same sort of effect:

 

4) Understanding My Cycle

I have finally accepted and am starting to embrace the fact that my body is inconsistent (physically and mentally), operating on a 28 day cycle, rather than a 24 hour cycle. 

It only took me 30 years and multiple diagnoses of depression, anxiety and ADHD for me to finally start tracking my cycle and realise that most of my mental health challenges were occurring like clock work 7-10 days before my period. In fact I eventually got to add PMDD (Premenstrual dysphoric disorder) to my resume of diagnoses as well (not to make too much light of a severe form of PMS that causes emotional and psychological distress).

Tuning into my menstrual cycle and understanding how it affects everything from my mood to my energy levels has been empowering. I personally use the Flo app which offers insights into my natural fluctuations, which I find fosters greater self-awareness and compassion. (In fact my period is due tomorrow, so I am extra tired and I may go have a midday powernap after I finish this blog! I would have considered myself a failure in the past for this, but I am starting to reframe naps as an act of self love!) 

5) Curating My Social Media

You've heard it before: The content we consume literally re-wires our brain. I am ruthless when it comes to unfollowing accounts that focus excessively on weight and appearance, instead engaging with those that feature diverse body types or accounts that tap into other areas I'm interested in (design, music, my Greek heritage to name a few).

I also try to be aware of how certain accounts make me feel. Even if an account isn't outrightly focusing on weight, it still may bring up feelings of self doubt, or bring weight or appearance into my consciousness more than I would like.

Unsubtle plug for our instagram account @raqapparel:

 

6) Buying from brands that design for diverse bodies

I choose brands that design with various body types in mind, offering maximum adjustability and flexibility for fluctuating bodies. I look for clothes made with stretchy materials and adjustable features like straps and waistbands, ensuring comfort and adaptability. 

Another shameless plug for our Multi-Way Top: You can adjust the straps and back band for maximum comfort and whatever style you're feeling on a given day.

 7) Reframing Sizing

We've been conditioned to obsess over fitting into a specific size, assuming we must always fit into that number. This is definitely an area I would like to work on more, as I'm well aware that my body will (and needs to) fluctuate throughout my cycle and throughout my life. I try to focus on wearing clothes that make me feel comfortable and don't restrict me. I try to view size as a guide or framework to help me find clothing that feels good, rather than a fixed standard to adhere to.

 

 

My relationship with my body is dynamic and ever-changing, never set in stone. However, embracing these habits is a practice I choose to engage in because it helps me feel more neutral and accepting of my body and everything it can do. I hope they help you too!

  

What things do you do to help maintain a healthy relationship with your body?

Let us know in the comment section below ❤️