I’M STRUGGLING WITH HOW I FEEL ABOUT MY BODY.
OVERVIEW
BODY IMAGE
How you feel about your body is a big part of your overall well being. Everyone has their own unique body shape, size, and appearance. Body image is how you see yourself when you look in the mirror, how you think others see you, and how you feel in your body. It’s completely normal to have moments where you feel unsure or self-conscious, but it’s important to recognise that all bodies are good bodies!
HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU DEVELOP A HEALTHY BODY IMAGE:
REMEMBER: SOCIAL MEDIA ISN’T REALITY
The images you see on social media and other media (including porn) are often heavily edited or filtered. Nobody looks perfect all the time, even if it seems that way online.
It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but remember that everyone’s body is different, and that’s what makes us unique.
Consider reducing the time you spend on Social Media.
TRY TO STOP THE NEGATIVE SELF-TALK
If you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts about your body, try to flip it around. Be kind to yourself like you would to a friend.
Remind yourself of the parts of your body you appreciate. It could be something simple like, “I like my smile,” or “I’m proud of how strong my legs are.”
There’s no “right” way to look. Embrace what makes you unique!
UNFOLLOW ACCOUNTS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL BAD
If certain social media accounts make you feel bad about your body or push unrealistic beauty standards, it’s okay to unfollow them.
Instead, follow accounts that promote body positivity and self-love.
TALK ABOUT HOW YOU’RE FEELING
If you’re struggling with your body image, it’s important to talk to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or youth worker.
Sometimes just talking about how you’re feeling can help lift the pressure and remind you that you’re not alone.
Sometimes, you will interact with people, most of the time family or friends, that make comments about your body. Letting them know how you feel about those comments and asking them to stop can be really hard to do, but it can be helpful and make them stop.
CHALLENGE UNREALISTIC BEAUTY STANDARDS
Ireland, like much of the western society, has often promoted narrow ideas of what beauty looks like. But more and more people are speaking out against unrealistic beauty standards.
You can be part of the change by embracing and supporting body diversity, and by recognising that real beauty comes in all forms.
CELEBRITIES AND INFLUENCERS
You might enjoy looking at pictures of celebrities and influencers but the majority of pictures that we see are photoshopped or digitally enhanced ‘perfect’ portrayals of these people. In the ‘real world’, people are all different shades, shapes and sizes. If you are experiencing anxiety over your body shape or image, you are not alone. Contact a support network such as www.bodywhys.ie or any of the organisations listed at the end of this page.
Further Resources
