It would not be unusual for many of us to pass a mirror and cringe.  Especially a full length mirror.  Some of us even change moods at the sight of ourselves. Others are worse.  They say mean things to themselves.  Awful things even.

Well guess what?  That is un cool!  It's also anti-Aging Fabulously!

How we talk to ourselves matters a great deal in how we age.  Self-talk can boost our energy or lower it.  Negative self-talk (a self-hatred of sorts) has a tremendous ability to lower our energy and mood and create stressful hormones throughout our bodies.  These lower level moods can affect how we cope with our world and how we deal with normal everyday stressors in our environment.  In other words, our inner dialogue can impact us at work, home and around our communities.

We experience enough stress and negativity from the outside world.  We just don't need self-inflicted kind.  What we hear inside our own heads should be the really, really good stuff.

You can start out on a healthier path by being mindful of your inner talk.  Notice how you talk to yourself when you look in the mirror.  We suggest you deliberately look at yourself frequently.  If you have a full-length mirror, that's even better.

Take a long, appreciative look at yourself.  Squelch any tendancy to criticize.  Find your good qualities and focus on them.  Learn to appreciate and accept yourself as you are.  Watch out for harmful comparisons to others.  Especially unrealistic (or otherwise airbrushed) ideals.

Say good things to yourself.  Flip any negative talk to the positive side.  Here's an example.

Instead of, "I hate my thighs!"
Say, "I love my fabulous imperfect self!"

You are unique in so many wonderful ways.  List them.  Look at your list often.  We all have our strengths.  And we can learn to love, accept and live happily with everything else.

Starting with your next breath, practice being kind and loving to yourself.  Overtime, you'll find that you've fallen madly in love...with you!