"Beauty is about being comfortable in your own skin. It's about knowing and accepting who you are." - Ellen DeGeneres
An Image of Beauty
As humans, most of us have always given importance to the beauty of the human body.
More importantly though is how you actually view or 'see' yourself. This includes what you think and feel about your appearance and how you judge your own self-worth.
A negative body image can put you at higher risk of certain mental health conditions, such as eating disorders and depression; which in turn can lead to an unhealthy life-style and even weight gain.
Body Image
Body image is not just what you see in the mirror. What you see is also based on memories, assumptions, and generalizations.
It's what you think and how you feel when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. This includes how you feel about your appearance; what you think about your body itself, such as your height and weight; and how you feel within your own skin.
Body image also includes how you behave as a result of your thoughts and feelings.
Who Do You See Looking Back?
Media images which are always and everywhere present; can cause you to have an unrealistic view of what you feel you should look like and therefore make you feel bad.
Past events and circumstances can cause you to have a negative body image. It can be as simple as being teased or bullied as a child for how you look or what you are wearing.
Being told you’re ugly, too fat, or too thin or in general having your appearance criticized becomes a part of your memory of who you are, and therefore your own image of yourself.
And, actually being underweight, overweight, or obese can definitely cause your negative self image.
My Personal True Image Story
As a kid, I was called ‘fat’, and sometimes "fatty, fatty, 2 x 4; can’t get through the kitchen door.”Every birthday and holiday card from my loving aunts with words such as "to my little niece" were CROSSED OUT with the words "to my BIG niece" written in. What do you do? They're family. I believed them. As a young woman, newly married, I overheard my new Mother-in-law say, “Poor Jeannie. She always has to struggle so with being overweight.” Really? I was 5’ 4” and weighed 105 lbs. Hmmm . . . But the seed was planted and the image was there.
Improving Your Self-Image
So how can you improve your own self image? The first thing is to LOVE yourself. The more you practice thinking positive thoughts about yourself and the fewer negative thoughts you have about your body, the better you will feel about who you are and how you look.
Here are some other tips:
Celebrate what you can do, like run, swim, dance, sing etc.
List 10 things you like about yourself and pin it where you read it daily.
See yourself in the mirror as a whole person, not as a nose or thigh or belly.
Wear comfortable clothes that look good on you and that you like and feel good wearing.
Do something nice for your body - like a haircut, massage, a walk with your dog or get your nails done.
Become active, research shows that people who exercise for functional reasons tend to have a more positive body image.
Eat a healthy diet of fresh, whole foods and avoid sugary drinks.
Bottom line - having a positive body image you are more likely to have good physical and mental health.
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