Building a positive body image

Did you know that a survey conducted by the Butterfly Foundation found a surprising 90% of Australian teenagers have some degree of concern about their body image? What about you? Have you ever experienced it too? Well, body image concern can happen to anyone across different stages of life. This is why I would like to share some tips and tricks that can help you appreciate your true self just the way it is!

“I am not my hair. I am not this skin. I am the soul that lives within.”
India Arie

What is body image?

Body image is commonly misunderstood as what your body looks like. In fact, body image is more about how you THINK and FEEL about your own body. It is not always a correct representation of how you actually look in real life.

We can all take the leap to build positive body image by being kinder and more patient to ourselves. This is worth the effort because having positive body image allows you to appreciate, accept, and respect your body, as well as its limitations. Here are the benefits of having positive body image:

Reducing the risk of developing an eating disorder.
Building a higher self-esteem.
Increasing self-acceptance.
Having a healthier and balanced lifestyle.

How to build a positive body image?

Almost 70% of young people said they experienced teasing related to appearance, with 73% of these saying they had experienced it at school. Sometimes we might encounter negative comments about our body and feel hurt by them. I understand that handling this can be tough but you should remember that their opinion does not define your worth. People often project their own insecurities or unrealistic beauty standards to others and we can handle it by having positive body image.

This is what we can do to build a positive body image:

Be social media savvy
Remember that images are often edited with beauty filters and might not be as perfect as it seems.
Understand your own value
As a person, you have many strengths and qualities that make you who you are. You are so much more than your appearance.
Set boundaries
You have the right to remove yourself from negative conversations or people that make you feel uncomfortable about your body.
Reframe your thought
Instead of thinking that you should change any part of yourself, try adopting the “I love and appreciate my body for what it does for me” mindset.
Surround yourself with positive influences
Find friends who sincerely want to uplift and support you.