How often do you look in the mirror and say, “If I could just lose ten pounds, I would be happy?” Unfortunately, the majority of American women and girls are dissatisfied with their bodies. Many of them take extreme measures in an attempt to change their bodies.
Body image has now become intertwined with one’s weight. Therefore, if women are not happy with their weight, they cannot possibly be satisfied with their bodies. Women and adolescent girls regard their size, much like their weight, as a definitive element of their identity. Some girls assume there is something wrong with their bodies when they cannot fit consistently into some “standard” size. Others will reject a pair of jeans simply because they won’t wear a particular size. To determine their self-worth, the majority of girls step on the scale. If they have lost weight, then it is a good day, and they briefly feel “okay” about themselves. If the number on the scale has increased ever so slightly, then the day is ruined, and they feel worthless.
As you can see, in today’s society, self-esteem and body-esteem have become one and the same. Young girls and women inescapably feel insecure about their bodies and physical appearance. They often believe that they must change their bodies to gain self-esteem. This, especially, has a major emotional toll on young girls, many of whom carry this mental stress into adulthood. They feel inadequate and often turn to severe behaviors in an attempt to manipulate their bodies to “fit into” an unrealistic standard of beauty. Today, most young girls believe that the only way to improve their self-image and to feel more confident is to lose weight and become thinner.
Types of Behaviors Brought on By Negative Body Image
People with body image disorders can be characterized as having persistent and intrusive thoughts centered around their appearance, finding fault with all aspects of their body. For some people this can cause emotional distress, depression, and anxiety.
Eating disorders have flourished in this beauty-driven society. More than just about food, eating disorders can also be the result of mental health conditions that require medical attention. They can affect anyone but are most prevalent among young women. The two most common eating disorders are anorexia and bulimia.
Anorexia typically affects women who view themselves as overweight but are actually very underweight. The fear of gaining weight can create very restricted eating patterns.
While individuals with bulimia will binge on large amounts of food. After they eat, they purge by vomiting, taking laxatives or diuretics, or by exercising excessively. Over time there can be negative health risks such as the thinning of the bones, infertility, brittle hair and bones or thinning of hair.
Body shaming is defined as an action or practice of humiliation, making negative comments about another person's body size or shape. The scope of body shaming can include fat shaming or shaming for thinness. This directly contributes to a negative body.
Negative self-talk is an inner dialog you have with yourself that may be limiting your ability to believe in yourself and your own abilities. Negative self-talk can result in low self-concept and esteem, which leads to depression, stress, loneliness, and anxiety.
How Can you Befriend Your Body?
Befriending your body and accepting yourself is critically important for your overall health, both physically and mentally. Starting with small changes is the first step. Begin by listening to what your body needs, even if it feels foreign to you. Little by little, you’ll start to feel comfortable in your own skin.
The best way to befriend your body is to promote healing through yourself! Here are just a few ways to get you started.
Talk to a friend
Get a massage
Practice yoga or Pilates
Soak in the tub
Wrap yourself in a weighted blanket
Listen to or make music
Garden
Practice meditation
Pet an animal
I, myself, have struggled in my journey to befriend my body. Starting in my teenage years, I began controlling what I ate because I didn’t want to be fat. By weighing myself every day, restricting my meals, and excessive exercise regime, this desire to be “skinny” turned into an obsession.
Today, I still struggle with loving my body, but it is no longer an obsession. And, for a time, I was uncomfortable sharing my story with others. I felt ashamed my weakness. I felt that it was only my problem and no one else needed to know. However, I now understand how important it is to talk about issues like body image with others. To encourage others to look inside and accept themselves helps strengthen the community. By bringing awareness and advocacy of the magnitude of the problem that is negative body image, we can teach our girls to be strong women.