Body Image and Mental Health [Transcript]
We all have different definitions of what body image is. In this blog, I will break body image and mental health down into three parts:
Affective: This is the way that you feel about your body. We all may like or dislike our bodies or our size. The way we feel about our body is related to how satisfied or dissatisfied we are with it. This could be focused on one body part or our body as a whole.
Cognitive: This aspect of body image is related to how you think about your body. This is your thought process and thought patterns about your body. It is the narrative you have about your body.
Behavioral: This includes the behaviors or the things that you do as a result of the thoughts about beliefs you have about your body and the way you feel about your body. This is where you may go on a strict diet, exercise excessively, and is typically where you could do harmful things to your body.
Watch: Let Go of the ‘Perfect Body’
Where do body image issues come from?
Be curious and ask where do body image problems or issues come from? This doesn’t just happen on its own. It could be because of environmental factors and also individual factors. The city you live in, your community, your family members, your parents, your siblings (if you have them) are all environmental factors that can impact your body image. If, for example, you experienced bullying as a child, this could impact you. Even as an adult, if someone made a remark about your body that made you feel uncomfortable, that could be a root cause of your body image issues.
For example, I know a lot of people compliment each other when they lose weight and, in their mind, it is a positive thing to tell someone that they look great because they have lost a few pounds. However, even that comment can be detrimental at a later time if that person is not able to keep those five pounds off. They may feel really bad about themselves if they gain it back. It is important that you educate the people around you and tell them if a comment or a compliment is affecting you in a not so good way.
Body image and social media
Another cause of body image issues is social media. In 2020, social media is a large part of our lives. The beauty standards that are advertised all around us 24/7 are not accurate representations of what it means to be beautiful.
So how can you eliminate, or at least help yourself minmize, the harmful effects of social media? I suggest doing a social media cleanse. To do this, try unfollowing people, influencers, or whoever you are following if they are advertising false body image or false beauty ideals. Re-evaluating who you follow, unfollowing certain people, or at least taking a few weeks off of engaging with their pages can be helpful.
Read more: Social Media and Mental Health
The many functions of your body
Most importantly, in the moments where you are doubting your body, doubting your beauty, questioning yourself, or feeling bad about your body, remind yourself that your body has so many more functions than just its physical appearance. Your body is keeping you alive. Your body is holding all of your organs.
Practicing body self-compassion
On that note, I would like to invite you to do a self-compassion exercise with me:
If you feel comfortable, close your eyes. Put your feet on the ground and find a comfortable position where you and your body are relaxed. Now do a quick body check-in with yourself. See what’s going on in your body. See if you feel any tension.
Now, I want to invite you to, if you can, locate that body part that needs a little love and care. It could be the body part that made you feel a little bad this morning when you woke up or when you looked in the mirror. Put your hand on that body part if you can and say something nice, something that you need to hear from yourself to feel better. Say it to that body part. Feel that warmth that’s coming from your body. Take a few deep breaths. Hold that energy, feel the warmth, hold your hand on that body part that needs care today. And when you are done, just open your eyes.
Thank you for going on this journey with me. If you are looking for more resources including blogs, video blogs, and webinars, check out our website!
If you are struggling with your body image, seek out help and connect with one of our therapists.
- Body Image and Mental Health [Video] - October 29, 2020
- Social Media and Mental Health: The Good and the Bad! - July 16, 2020
- Redefine Yourself as a Woman on Your Own Terms [Video] - August 23, 2019
4 comments
Hi Kimia! I love that you created a video blog on this topic. I find that body image concerns are more present than ever before due to the increase in social media use from quarantine. I really love how you discuss being curious about where our body image issues come from. When we take a step back and really look at how normalized commenting on our bodies have become, it is easier to have a little more self-compassion. This is something that I continue to struggle with constantly and I will definitely utilize your tools for showing my body love. Thanks for touching on such an important topic Kimia!
Kiimia,
I absolutely love the fact that you reminded us of all the functions of our bodies. Our culture almost tricks us into thinking our bodies are only here for others (and ourselves) to approve or disapprove of based on appearance. But you remind us that our bodies are how we experience the world around us. We taste with them, feel with them, run with them, connect to others through them and so on. It’s so important to remember our bodies are here for us to meet the world through, not just to look fierce in Lulu Lemon in. Thank you for this blog post.
Kimia,
Thank you for your blog! I really liked how you broke down and explained the three parts of body image and mental health. I love the exercise for inviting a self compassion practice. I am going to recommend this to my clients who struggle with this.
Thank you for making this video Kimia! From my experience as a clinician, so many people struggle with body image. You do such a great job of addressing how this can come up. I especially loved the guided exercise. It felt so great to take that time to show some kindness to myself. Thanks again for this!