So many women and men compare their bodies to others and come up short. Of course these people are comparing themselves to images or people that they can never measure up to. Very few people will state that they like their body just the way it is. Interestingly enough, most people will not pay nearly the amount of attention to the bodies of others that they do to their own. So ease up and don’t be so hard on yourself.

This blog will focus on positive body image and things you can do to improve yours. I’m going to start with an article I read in U.S. News titled What Do Women With Positive Body Image Have That Others Don’t? In the following weeks, I will continue with a series of blogs on healthy body image.

 5 Tips For a Healthier Body Image

Focus on what is important in your life

What gives your life meaning? Is it your children, job, relationships, religion/spirituality, hobby, or something else? Perhaps you have goals to achieve, values to share with those in your life, or you cherish the time you spend with those you love. Your body and what it looks like does not determine who you are, what you are worth, or determine the meaning of your life. No one can measure up to the images you see in the media or online-not even the models themselves. Most images are enhanced, so you are not even comparing yourself to a real person, only a fantasy of what you think you should look like.

Empower yourself

You don’t have to take a back seat when someone makes negative comments about the appearance of someone else. Speak up. No one wants to be criticized. Most importantly, don’t say negative things about yourself. This holds true especially if you have children. In their eyes, you are the most beautiful woman in the world. You teach them about body image and negative self-talk. If you are negative about yourself, your kids will eventually start doing that to themselves. This type of messages starts as young as age 8, which is the age at which children begin making social comparisons. Volunteer for women’s issues, whether it is in a woman’s/homeless shelter, or speaking out against social media.

Limit messages from the media

There are so many unhealthy messages about body image in social media, Internet, TV, movies, billboards, etc. While it is impossible to avoid all types of media or advertising, try to limit those that make you feel bad about yourself. Try not to compare yourself to the women/men in the media. Remember, you don’t have someone to dress you, put on your make-up, do your hair and Photoshop you. You will never measure up if you engage in this type of comparison. If you are going to compare yourself to others, compare yourself to the average person, not the models.

Engage in healthy habits

When you are healthy, you feel better about yourself. Exercise improves your mood. It’s better than medication. After you exercise, it will make you think about your body and how it functions for you, not how you look. It is the best thing you can do to make yourself feel good about yourself. You will also feel better about your body if you eat healthy. Be sure you are getting enough sleep. If not, it will affect your mood and your body image. Yoga is one of the best activities for that mind body connection.

Hang around with positive people

If you spend time with people who engage in negative self-talk or negative body image, it will only bring you down. You may want to spend less time with others who are always talking about their body, or make you feel bad about yourself. Or let them know that you’d prefer to discuss other topics. Ask yourself if your friends lift you up or bring you down. After you answer that question, you will know who you should spend more time with, or less time with.

If you struggle with body image concerns, or disordered eating, therapy can help. It is one of my areas of specialty. Please give me a call at 713-304-6554.

Take care,

Debbie Grammas, PhD