Your Body Is Already Ready for Summer—Here’s How To Hack Your Mind To Believe It

The weather is finally starting to warm up, and with it comes the usual anxiety about getting our bodies "summer-ready." But what if I told you that your body has already been ready for summer all along? That the societal expectations of perfect beaches bodies are just that - expectations - and not a reflection of your worth as a person?

I've struggled with this very issue myself. As soon as winter sets in, I start to feel like my body is still in a state of hibernation, ready to burst out of its winter layers and make way for the sun-kissed days of summer. But what if that's just not how it works? What if our bodies are capable of thriving all year round, regardless of the season?

So, how do we hack our minds to believe that our bodies are already ready for summer? It starts with a mindset shift. We need to stop listening to the voices of criticism and perfectionism that tell us we're not good enough, and start listening to the voice of compassion and self-love.

"The most radical thing you can do is choose compassion over criticism," says body image coach Josey Murray. "This story that society tells us about perfect summer bodies is one of criticism; it depends on us all criticizing ourselves and others for the sake of chasing perfection. Compassion is a much more powerful idea."

So, how do we cultivate compassion for ourselves? Start by taking a step back and looking at yourself with kindness and understanding. Imagine that everything you say to yourself, you're saying to your little girl self who just wants to play in the sun.

"Speak to yourself with the same kindness you’d offer a little girl who just wants to play in the sun," says Murray. "Would you tell her that she should hate summer because her thighs look bad in shorts? Of course not."

So, what can we do instead of beating ourselves up over our bodies? We can start by focusing on how our bodies work, rather than how they don't. Our bodies are capable of amazing things - we can hike to the top of a mountain, run a marathon, or simply enjoy a relaxing day at the beach.

"Our bodies aren’t seasonal trends—they’re sacred homes that carry us through every moment of life," says Murray. "When I get too bogged down by dread of experiencing another summer in this body, I pause and zoom out a little. I’m just one of 8 billion people on this earth. I imagine myself being in space, staring back down at the brilliant blue globe we call home, and thinking of all the people, all the different stories, all the different landscapes, homes, and experiences."

So, what can you do to start hacking your mind and believing that your body is already ready for summer? Here are a few tips:

• Find a picture of yourself when you were little. Imagine that everything you say to yourself, you're saying to them.
• Take a step back and look at yourself with kindness and understanding.
• Focus on how your body works, rather than how it doesn't.
• Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with the same kindness and love that you would offer to a friend.

Remember, your body is not a seasonal trend - it's a sacred home that carries you through every moment of life. So, go ahead and enjoy the sunshine, take a dip in the ocean, or simply lounge on the beach with a good book. Your body has been ready for summer all along.