A couple of weeks ago in a session with a patient, I started to wonder if we could stop referencing the scale as a touchpoint, or a point of reference. While we do use weight, taken from the scale, as a scientific reference, and there is room for this information in certain areas, my strong sense is it does not have to also be a touchpoint. Meaning, the scale does not have to be a reference for our emotional and physical wellbeing.
In sessions with patients and clients I often use more compassionate touchpoints that I find lead to better self-awareness and healing. At a body image workshop last Spring I was gifted with a set of ‘Body Healing’ cards. These cards serve as touchpoints and contain phrases enabling more of a positive relationship with one’s body image. Some examples are:
‘All bodies need and deserve nourishment.’
‘How I look is not as important as how I feel.’
‘Making peace with your body is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.’
Some of my patients also own decks of these cards themselves. After the workshop I bought as many decks of Body Healing cards as I could and gave them to the patients I had at the time. Often the deck of Body Healing cards is kept in a purse or backpack or taken on a trip. They may be kept on a bedside table or shared with family members. In these situations, I would call these cards touchpoints. It might be just knowing the cards are in a patient’s bag – with them – to make them feel more at peace with a situation. Or that touchpoint could be leaving a card in a visible place for a family member to view. One patient shared with me that when they find themselves in distress, they touch the deck in their bag and even this brief action helps alleviate feelings of fear, anxiety and hopelessness.
In sessions with patients, touchpoints can also be books, podcasts, words, phrases, memories, photos (that have not been Photoshop-ed!), stuffed toys – the list goes on.
So for this year during EDAW my challenge to you is to not use the scale as one of your touchpoints. Don’t give it that much power. Try another of the aforementioned and way more positive ideas for one or more touchpoints to help you relate to food, body image, and mood. Some of my favorite touchpoints are my treasured photos of my children and our family. I also have many notes from my six-year-old daughter and my 18-year old son (from when he was six) telling me I am the best Mom in the world and that they love me. These are my most sacred touchpoints.
In closing, I’m including that new favorite quote by by Erin Hansen – please see the image below – perhaps you’ve read it before!
This quote struck me in combination with the scale as a ‘touchpoint.’ Because, what if? What if you flew and soared without negative touchpoints? Can you imagine? I can!
