You are your own gift in the world, which is hard to see when consumed by self-loathing. Feelings of self-disgust and loathing can blind you from your own unique gifts and keep you from declaring your authentic identity. It is easy to blame the size or shape of the body for disgust you feel, especially if you feel like they do not meet your idealized vision of yourself. But, instead of focusing on what your body looks like, reflect on all the joyful activities it enables you to do. You couldn't hug your children, smell the sweet scent of freshly cut grass, or watch the sunrise without a self and a body. Focusing on all the wonderful opportunities and moments that you cannot enjoy without a body or a self can help wake you up when you are feeling caught by hopelessness and despair about yourself. Start each day by saying thank you to your body.

Similar to body shame and panic around weight, it is important to develop a practice of daily affirmations and gratitude to overcome feelings of loathing and disgust. Spend some time each day appreciating your body, and those around you with similar bodily characteristics. If you don't like your nose, for example, find someone else with an irregular nose, and discover how easy it would be love them. Appreciate them, and you will learn to appreciate yourself as well.

Imagine a child feeling the same shame and disgust that you do. How would you care for a young child caught in a fit of self-loathing? Because, essentially, you are that young child; the pain and suffering you feel is your innocence. We all want to be perfect, and this desire to see ourselves in the image of God is wholly innocent and pure. Whenever you berate or demean yourself, it is your innocent inner child that wails in pain. You may not be able to escape these feelings, but you can come to terms with them, and forgive yourself.

Finally, a feeling of self-loathing or disgust can be an opportunity for spiritual growth and self-discovery. Often the thing that you hate most about yourself is actually your greatest gift in life. A willingness to allow yourself to experience the raw discomfort associated with self-loathing and shame can be the doorway into unleashing tremendous willpower and realizing your greatness. What is at the root of your disgust - where does it come from? What or who is driving it? Loathing and shame arise from the very same characteristics that make you and your personality different and unique. You might loath a unique feature about your appearance that you grew up believing was ugly or unsightly. Or you were told that others would shun these characteristics. Perhaps there is a past failure driving your shame that you need to confront and release. Whatever the case, in the face of self-hate, it can be good to take some time to reflect on your unique gifts and on your relationship with something greater, in whatever form that may take. Seeing your connection to a higher being can help you transcend self-disgust and can be a doorway into realizing your own authentic greatness and finding wholeness again.

HERBS AND PRODUCTS FOR IMBALANCES RELATED TO 'SELF-LOATHING'

AGGRAVATES THESE DOSHAS & BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Imbalance Accumulates

Improper food and lifestyle causes balances to accumulate. Ayurveda shows you exactly which doshas and biocharacteristics are likely to accumulate in your body. Once these doshas and biocharacteristics accumulate too much, they will begin to cause imbalance. You can reduce an imbalanced dosha or biocharacteristic by removing things that aggravate it from your diet and lifestyle.

BIOCHARACTERISTIC	FOODS TO AVOID	DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE?
PITTA	MODERATE THESE PITTA FOODS IF SELF-LOATHING IS CAUSING A PROBLEM	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Pitta' dosha.
HOT ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation. LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT	MODERATE THESE HOT FOODS IF SELF-LOATHING IS CAUSING A PROBLEM	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Hot' guna.
TOXIC ABOUT TOXIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body. LEARN MORE ABOUT TOXIC	MODERATE THESE TOXIC FOODS IF SELF-LOATHING IS CAUSING A PROBLEM	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna.
BITTER ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC Bitter is disagreeable and stimulating rejection, and a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens. LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER	MODERATE THESE BITTER FOODS IF SELF-LOATHING IS CAUSING A PROBLEM	FIND OUT Status Unknown Take these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Bitter' taste.

To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.

SEE A DIET WHICH REMOVES THESE BIOCHARACTERISTICS

ADDRESS ISSUES IN STAGE OF DISEASE 0

Potential causes increase and disturb your imbalanced doshas and biocharacteristics, causing them to accumulate and spiral out of control. For example, if you're overheated and eat a chili pepper, heat may become excessive and cause disease. As a dosha or biocharacteristic accumulates in your body according to your dietary and lifestyle habits, it is more and more likely to cause disease. You can reduce an imbalanced dosha or biocharacteristic in two ways, by removing, or lessening the frequency of aggravating causes from your diet and lifestyle, as well as by favoring balancing diet and lifestyle practices. For example, try eating something as cool as a cucumber when you're overheated, instead of a chili pepper.

REDUCE THESE RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS

Biocharacteristics of the 6,841 People Reporting Self-loathing

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About the Author

John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.

John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.

John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.

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