Feeling Pretty
Body Image Concerns From teeth whitening to body weight, the concern and worry is real. Girls are more likely than boys to have a negative body image. The National Organization for Women (NOW) indicates that by age 17, up to 78% of girls can be unhappy with their bodies. At age 13, around 53% of girls express similar unhappiness. Sometimes it's not just the weight, but how your body looks. A girl or woman may be concerned about having a wider waistline, or lacking glutes. Young girls, as early as in elementary report starting to eat differently because of concerns with their body.
From the moment they are born and throughout their childhood into adulthood, girls and women are exposed to messages about their appearance. Media plays a high influence on body image and young individuals still have a developing brain, so young people are particularly susceptible to the constant stimulation and social rewards offered by social media platforms. Social media works with the brain (both young and adults) by leveraging its reward system through dopamine release, creating a cycle of perpetual engagement and potential addiction.
Acquiring a healthy body image Positive or neutral self talk: Start with yourself, whether you are a family member, a friend or are struggling yourself; practice positive self-talk. "I am beautiful", "I am powerful", "I am healthy", "I look real good in this outfit!", "I really like how this scar is healing", etc. The more you focus on positive (or neutral) thoughts about yourself and reduce negative thoughts about your body, the more confident and comfortable you will feel in your own skin.
Reframe thinking: While I understand it is rare to be happy and accept every single aspect of your body, focusing on your best asset(s) can help you focus on the things you do like. Also, most people realize as they get older that how you look is only one part of who you are. Working on accepting how you look is healthier than constantly working to change how you look.
Please don't make negative statements about food, weight, and body size and shape — yours, your children's, or anyone else's. No judging!
It's ok not to love how you look on certain days: "It's okay not to love how I look today, and this feeling will pass". Feel-good moments don't happen all the time, so we have to grab them when they happen.
Everyone has a unique body and the same parts, just shaped differently.
Healthy Mind Thinking negatively about your body can create true physical repercussions: depression, un-healthy dieting, getting sick more often, etc.
Honor your body: get enough rest, eat enough food and enjoy it, manage stress and getting active are just a few ways you can take care of your body that has many functions and is wonderful!
If negative body image significantly impacts your daily living activities, affecting mood, social life, or eating habits, consider getting support from people close to you and help from a professional.
Surround yourself with people that will bring good things to your life.
Good mental health means you're able to cope with daily stresses and accomplish personal goals.