Body Image

Body image is how you think and feel about your body as well as how you picture your body in your mind. Body image is affected by many things, including messages you receive from family, friends, the beauty industry, and social media. Many of the images we see in the media are not realistic or they are altered in some way. This can give us a false idea of what our body should look like.

Body image can affect how you feel about yourself and who you are as a person. Having a positive body image means that you are satisfied with your body and accept and appreciate it.

Having a negative body image means that you are not satisfied with your body and would like to change it. Unfortunately, many people struggle with negative body image. Anyone can struggle with negative body image, regardless of body size, age, or gender.

A negative body image can lead to eating disorders and other mental health conditions, such as depression. It’s normal to not love everything about your body, however, if you feel distressed about your body image you may want to seek professional help.

Here are some tips by the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) that may help you develop a more positive body image.

  1. Appreciate all that your body can do.
  2. Keep a top-ten list of things you like about yourself.
  3. Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep.
  4. Look at yourself as a whole person.
  5. Surround yourself with positive people.
  6. Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” or that you are a “bad” person.
  7. Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body
  8. Become a critical viewer of social and media messages.
  9. Do something nice for yourself.
  10. Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories, and your weight to do something to help others.

Learn more about the 10 Steps to Positive Body. 

If you would like to learn about making peace with food and your body, please call 507-646-1410 to speak to Northfield Hospital + Clinics Registered Dietitian.

Group of men and women with different body types