Courtney’s Counsel: Love

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Courtney’s Counsel is a monthly blog by Renewed’s Clinical Director, Courtney Grimes, LCSW. Courtney aims to deliver relevant content by covering the latest trends and offering professional tips and advice. If you feel that you need personalized assistance, please contact the Renewed office at 615.831.9838. 

“LOVE” (By: Courtney Grimes, LCSW)

LOVE
noun
1.an intense feeling of deep affection.
“babies fill parents with intense feelings of love”
synonyms: deep affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, intimacy, attachment, endearment

Love is in the air! As we approach Valentine’s Day, romantic love is in the spotlight. However there are several types of love – including self-love!

Here are a few tips on how to love yourself and your body:

  1. Care for your body as if you were caring for a pet.  Feed it, water it, rest it, love it. If you wouldn’t treat a puppy a certain way, don’t treat your body that way either.
  2. Don’t punish yourself or your body. This includes your inner narrative, or the way you speak to yourself in your head. Offer compassion to yourself and your body, and above all – be gentle.
  3. Curb your social media. More often than not, we present our “ideal selves” online. When we look at others’ profiles, we tend to compare our worst self to their ideal self. Taking a break from social media can help tame the comparison beast.
  4. Don’t be a hater. No shaming – your body or others’! Don’t blame your body for things that aren’t working in your life. Don’t be mean and judgmental when you look in the mirror!
  5. Be present. Try hard to stay in your body. Remember – your body can only be in one place at one time, but your mind can wander all over! Ground yourself in your body by engaging your five senses – notice shapes and colors you see, sounds you hear, smells and tastes, and nearby textures. The secret to staying present is to connect your mind back to your body!

Have a question for Courtney? She’d love to hear it! Please email courtney@renewedsupport.org.

About the Author

Courtney Grimes, LCSW, serves as the Clinical Director for Renewed. She was introduced to the organization in 2005 during her own recovery from an eating disorder and has been involved (and in love) with the organization ever since. Courtney attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Opera Performance. After leaving the music industry, she went on to receive her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. In addition to her work with Renewed, Courtney is a psychotherapist in private practice with Symmetry Counseling Services. She is originally from Atlanta, GA.