Mental Health Awareness Week 2022-Body Image and it’s impact Mental Health

Body Image and self-esteem start in the mind and not in the mirror. They can change the way you understand and value yourself, so it is super important to have a healthy body-image and self-esteem as they are a big part of having a healthy wellbeing. I get a lot of messages on Instagram asking me how I am so confident in my body, and tbh I am not always, but changing my mindset and focusing on my body confidence has really helped me. I would 100% recommend you working on your self-esteem and body image as it can have a massive positive impact on your mental health and your overall wellbeing.

What is body image and self-esteem?

Body image is mental and emotional. It is all about the mental picture you have of your body and how you feel about yourself when you look in the mirror. Having a healthy body image is not about simply tolerating what you look like or not disliking it, it is about actively truly accepting the way you look and loving yourself. It’s all about recognising the individual qualities and strengths of your body that make you feel good beyond your weight shape or appearance.

Self-esteem is how you respect and value yourself as a person. It is the opinion you have of yourself. It is so important to have a healthy self-esteem as it impacts how you take care of yourself emotionally and physically. When you have good self-esteem, you value yourself, and you know that you deserve good care and respect—from yourself and from others. You can appreciate and celebrate your strengths and your abilities, and you don’t put yourself down if you make a mistake.

Why does body image and self-esteem matter?

Body image and self-esteem work hand in hand and affect each other. If you don’t like your body, it is hard to feel good about your whole self. Alternatively, is you don’t value yourself it is hard to notice the good things about your body and give it the respect it deserves. The image below shows how body image and self-esteem positively impact mental health.

If you are struggling with your body image or self-esteem issues then you may find it harder to do everyday tasks such as eating, getting dressed or going out with friends. These can have a big knock-on effect on your mental health and although having a negative body image is not in itself a mental disorder, it can be a risk factor in developing problems. Therefore, it is super important to work on building a positive body image and boosting your self-esteem.

Ways to build a positive body image and boost your self-esteem

Be kind to yourself: Try not to compare yourself to others. Focus on yourself, your unique ways and what makes you happy rather than comparing yourself to what you see online or in others. Remember that a lot of social media is a highlight reel- people’s best angles/moments/parts of their lives and not the everyday reality.

Appreciate your own beauty: Loving yourself and how you look is not conceited it is necessary to being happy and healthy. Take note of everything you love about yourself. Make a list (you could even physically write it down). When you are feeling down, revisit this list and remind yourself of all your positive attributes.

Appreciate all that your body can do: Every day your body carries you closer to your dreams. Celebrate all the amazing things your body does for you—running, dancing, breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc.

Get comfortable in your own skin: You cannot love yourself if you are not comfortable in you own skin and body. The best way I have found to do this is put loads of mirrors everywhere in your apartment/bedroom, so you must look at yourself. In time, you will get comfortable in your own skin and learn to love your beauty in all angles.

Take care of yourself: exercising regularly and eating healthily can make you feel so much better about yourself and can really help to boost your self-esteem and feel more confident. You should not do these things to try look a certain way but working out and fuelling your body with nutrients is a great way to boost your body image.

Surround yourself with positive people: It is easier to feel good about yourself and your body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance of liking yourself just as you naturally are.

Do something nice for yourself: practice self-care to let your body know you appreciate it. Take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, or find a peaceful place outside to relax.