Body dissatisfaction and how to improve it
Body image is one of the leading concerns reported by women (and increasingly men) in Western societies. Research shows that it’s more common to have poor body image than it is to have a positive or even neutral view of yourself.
For many people, weight and appearance form a significant part of their identity and how they view themselves as a person. If we think our weight or appearance is something that is controllable, then focussing on controlling that can make up a large proportion of our self-worth. This is quite risky - a bit like putting all your eggs in one basket. If you don’t like the way that you look, then you probably won’t feel very good about yourself as a person.
What is the impact of poor body image?
The consequences of poor body image can include (but are not limited to):
anxiety
depression
low self-esteem
preoccupation with appearance/weight/shape
relationship problems
intimacy issues
avoiding social situations
disordered eating behaviours
unhealthy exercise behaviours
using steroids/laxatives/other substances
cosmetic surgery
Improving your body image
In view of the above, it’s important that we take steps to address the culture of ‘body dissatisfaction’ and ‘body hate’ that exists within our society. If you (or someone you know) is experiencing the consequences of poor body image, here are some simple but effective strategies that can help to improve your body image and overall self-worth:
stop comparing or compare fairly; keep in mind that almost every image we see of people nowadays is edited or altered in some way, so we rarely see a true representation of what people actually look like
reduce body checking behaviours; these include pinching, prodding, wobbling, measuring, weighing, mirror use and outfit changes
daily body appreciation; focus on what your body can do instead of how it looks
disengage from conversations about dieting and weight loss; there are much more interesting things to talk about with your friends and colleagues!
shut down ‘fat talk’; respect the diversity of the human body
positive self-talk and affirmations
try giving honest compliments that are not appearance-based
be mindful of who and what you follow on social media (or consider taking a break from it altogether)
build a bigger life; invest more time and energy into the things that really matter - career, relationships, hobbies, etc
Dr Bryony Bamford, Clinical Director at The London Centre, was excited to contribute to an article in the Stylist on how to manage negative body image thoughts. You can read this here.
