Body image is the perception a person has about their physical self and the thoughts that results from those realization. These thought can be positive or negative based on the various individual factors.
There are 3 types of body image which portray different senses. The first type is perceptual body image which which reflects on how you see your body (overweight, skinny, weirdly-shaped). This representation is not always a correct representation. The second type is affective body image which relates to how you feel about your body and is the satisfaction you feel regarding your body. The last type is cognitive which reveals how you think about your body such as the way you believe your body could be improved to look better. Many people learn or experience body image issues at a young age due to some causes. Its important to remember that each body is different and functions in its own way. Making sure that you provide your body with the right nutrients and appropriate foods are what matter.
It is really important to learn to accept your body and let yourself love your body. Nobody's perfect and everybody just wants acceptance which is exactly how it is for every body, it is important for everyone to accept their bodies the way they are as criticising your body won't change your body and only have negative outcomes. Body shaming yourself or others will only bring your or other people's self-esteem down which is negative.
There are a lot of factors which contribute to negative body image. Some causes are being mocked regarding your appearance during childhood or the teenage years. When we're young, we take words quite to the heart and the slightest comments affect us which can include negative comments being made about the body that can develop negative body image for the person. There's also the cultural tendency to judge people's appearance which causes more harm than intended. Lastly, there is always some form of media influence for girls or women to follow diets and weightloss programs which lead to people doubting their body image and finding the smallest flaws in themselves and comparing with either celebrities or people with the "perfect body".
Negative body image has an impact not only on your body but also on your mental health and as soon as it effect your abilities in daily life, it is dangerous. When you come to a point where you start to feel thoughts of depression and anxiety around your body image, you should try talking or confiding in someone that you trust as talking always helps. The 3 factors which co-relate with each other are self-esteem, body image and mental health and each impact eachother heavily. Negative body image can impact a person's view of their self-worth which can impact their pyschological being.
Some ways for improving body image:
- Treating your body with respect and rather than criticising your body, appreciating it.
- Eating health and exercising in a balanced way which is helpful, not harmful.
- Tell yourself good things about your body to insert positive thoughts in your mind.
- Always be in company with positive people who accpet you just the way you are.
- Try to share your issues with people who have had similar exoeriences as you will feel more comfortable.
- Be aware of how you let media influence and impact you.
A lot of people think that they can't help with an issue regarding mental illness unless they've experienced it which is not correct at all as you just need to be able to recognize a few things in order to help educate other people or even help people who are suffering through it. The first part of helping with body image is to be able to know or recognize the common symptoms of it. Symptoms can be preoccupation with physical appearance, mainly flaws. Frequent comparison of your body with someone that is perceived to have a "perfect body" which lead to negative thoughts. Another one can be looking in mirrors quite often and pointing out insecurities or avoiding mirrors in general. Some times, there can be invisible symtoms which often go unnoticed. An example could be preventing social interaction as much as possible and being very shy during gatherings or refusing to being in pictures. You may not be able to help as much but it is always important to be educated about body image issues. You can then help by convincing them to talk about their issues, not forcing them. Talking will most likely help them feel better.
