We are bombarded everyday with images of perfection: perfect lives, perfect bodies, perfect children, all held up for inspection via social media. these images are hard to live up to, so perhaps it is no wonder that charities warn that mental health problems are rising, especially among young people. Ut is, however, possible to take steps to protect yourself against the onslaught of perfection. One powerful weapon to develop is a positive body image, an acceptance of your body and both its good and bad points. This helps you to become confident and comfortable in your own skin.
WHAT IS BODY IMAGE?
Body image is how you see yourself physically, both when you think about yourself, and when you look in a mirror. Body image can be affected by stereotypes and beliefs, including those of the people around you as well as your own. Having a positive body image does not mean that you think everything about your body is perfect. After all ,nobody is perfect, no even supermodels. Instead, positive body image means accepting your body for what it is, celebrating your natural shape and size, and how your body performs. People with positive body image understand that personal appearance has very little to do with ability or character . They are confident and comfortable with themselves, and do not waste time worrying about their body.
DEVELOPING A POSITIVE BODY IMAGE –
Developing a positive body image ,or, helping someone else to do so, requires three key skills or characteristics:
- GOOD SELF ESTEEM-Those with low self esteem may also have a more negative image of their bodies, because they have a generally low opinion of themselves and their abilities. Both are also linked to self confidence. Improving your self esteem requires building up your view of yourself. It means taking control of your inner dialogue, and ensuring that it becomes more positive. Instead of focusing on what might go wrong, it is important to focus on what is already good.
- A POSITIVE ATTITUDE -The second element, a positive attitude, is closely linked to self esteem. Positive thinking is the idea that you can change your life by thinking more positively. We should try to avoid perfectionism as nobody is perfect and trying to be perfect in any sphere is only going to lead to problems in the long term. Avoid making comparisons and try to simply celebrate others’ successes as well as your own. Not rushing to judge is likely to make you kinder and pleasanter to be around.
- EMOTIONAL AWARENESS AND SELF CONTROL, SOMETIMES CALLED EMOTIONAL STABILITY-Finally, to manage your views about your body, you need to be aware and in control of your emotions. There will be times when you see or hear things that will upset you, and affect your view of your body. At these times, you need to be able to understand what you are feeling, and why, to help you manage and master those feelings, and avoid them affecting your body image on a permanent basis.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A poor or negative body image can be starting point for serious mental illnesses, including eating disorders such as anorexia, as well as anxiety and depression. Building and maintaining a positive body image is therefore important. Learning to accept yourself and your body or even just to give yourself a break now and then is one of the most important skills for the mind.
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