Body Image: What about it?
Body image, while a neutral word, has carried such a dynamic understanding that is both positive and negative. When you view these words, does it make you feel things like value, confidence, and pride, or does it make you feel shame and a desire to change yourself. Most people discuss that their idea of body image is gathered when they describe how they feel when they look at themselves in the mirror.
So what is body image?
It is "the perception that a person has of their physical self and the thoughts and feelings that result from that perception". Basically how you feel when you see your physical body. These feelings can be positive or negative, or even both and these feelings are influenced by other people and your environment.
It is said that body image is determined by 4 factors:
1. how you SEE your body. It's important to remember that this is not always an accurate representation of what you look like. For example, often people with eating disorders may see themselves as overweight, when their physical weight and BMI puts them in a level that is underweight.
2. The way you FEEL about your body. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied by your shape, weight, and individual parts?
3. The way you THINK about your body. What are your internal thoughts when you see your body?
4. The BEHAVIOURS you engage in as a result of your body image. Do you avoid certain foods, where certain clothes, or isolate yourself as a result of your body image?
1. how you SEE your body. It's important to remember that this is not always an accurate representation of what you look like. For example, often people with eating disorders may see themselves as overweight, when their physical weight and BMI puts them in a level that is underweight.
2. The way you FEEL about your body. Are you satisfied or dissatisfied by your shape, weight, and individual parts?
3. The way you THINK about your body. What are your internal thoughts when you see your body?
4. The BEHAVIOURS you engage in as a result of your body image. Do you avoid certain foods, where certain clothes, or isolate yourself as a result of your body image?
Our mental image of our bodies is the driving force for many eating disorders, mood conditions like anxiety or depression, and compulsions. It strongly influences our behaviour and how we interact with the world around us. But our bodies are so important to us. They literally get us from point A to point B. But we live in a world where physical looks are so valued, that it is so hard to ignore.
How can we learn to love our body?
1. Surround yourself with positive people! There are SO many body shapes, sizes and appearances. If your Instagram feed is filled with images of those you envy, wouldn't it be a negative experience everytime you scroll through your feed? We've all looked at the beautiful woman with the flat stomach and perfectly toned arms and legs with a bit of discourage and discomfort.
2. Wear clothes that fit and you are comfortable in!! Don't look at the size. No one but you cares about the size. 10/10 times when you buy something that FITS not only do we look better we FEEL better because we are not constantly trying to squeeze ourselves into the wrong size
3. POSITIVE. SELF. TALK. Start the rewiring process of your brain. Which leads me to the next tip:
4. Be grateful of your body. Feel true gratitude for your body. For your legs that are strong enough to walk you around even if they do rub together. For your face when you laugh even if you do get 3 chins. We have ONE life with our body's here, take notice of the amazing things it can do and cherish and honor it.
5. Do nice things for your body. Take it for a massage or a nice walk. Feed it to feel good! Nutrition is important but so is balance and indulging sometimes!
2. Wear clothes that fit and you are comfortable in!! Don't look at the size. No one but you cares about the size. 10/10 times when you buy something that FITS not only do we look better we FEEL better because we are not constantly trying to squeeze ourselves into the wrong size
3. POSITIVE. SELF. TALK. Start the rewiring process of your brain. Which leads me to the next tip:
4. Be grateful of your body. Feel true gratitude for your body. For your legs that are strong enough to walk you around even if they do rub together. For your face when you laugh even if you do get 3 chins. We have ONE life with our body's here, take notice of the amazing things it can do and cherish and honor it.
5. Do nice things for your body. Take it for a massage or a nice walk. Feed it to feel good! Nutrition is important but so is balance and indulging sometimes!
This weekend we will be having a special Instagram takeover on Saturday by a local Edmonton woman who has overcome HUGE hurdles with her self-esteem and body image. Stay tuned and you won't want to miss it!
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