Welcome back to our blog! It’s Schareen here, and today I’m diving into a topic that seems to be all over our social media in the best way possible, yet so many of us still silently struggle with it. Yep, you guessed it, our body image!
How to change your body image perspective
Despite the body positive movement, a lack of confidence is still a challenge for a lot of us. The effects of body image on our mental health is huge. Whatever your age or gender, there seems to always be someone who is prettier, stronger, thinner, thicker, or more “bootylicious” (I just aged myself, I know). Sometimes we feel guilt, shame, or even grief when our physical appearance changes. We think to ourselves, “If I just lost 10 pounds I’d look like I used to, and I’d feel better”. We look in the mirror, and all we see are flaws. Trust me, I’ve been there.
It’s not just about the weight, though.
Sometimes we feel like our body doesn’t match the vision we have of ourselves. It can feel like an endless cycle that pushes you to lose the hope you once had of gaining back your confidence.
So, what are our options? How do we go from focusing on our flaws to our beauty?
I want to share a few tricks that I’ve used to help regain my confidence when it feels like the lowest of low. Some of these take time before you truly see positive effects on your mental health, but they’re all worth a try.
3 Ways to regain your self confidence
1. Get into therapy
I know, I know. Of course therapy is my number one tip, right? On a serious note, we don’t realize that our body image issues can stem from, or contribute to other underlying issues of self-esteem, grief, or relationship difficulties. A therapist can help you identify other deep-rooted issues and give you ways to work through them, all in a safe space.
2. Build motivation by setting smaller, more realistic goals
Challenging yourself to accomplish something small each day can do wonders for your mental health, and yes, your body image! This can be something as simple as taking a walk every day no matter what.
Now these daily walks aren’t about losing weight. They’re about motivation. Whether you go to the end of your block and back home, park a little further in the grocery store parking lot, or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Maybe all you can bring yourself to do on a given day is brush your hair or have a shower. These are all commitments that can really change the way you view yourself. Think about it. After you do it, you have accomplished more than you did yesterday.
3. Write it all down
You might question this one at first, but hear me out. Make a list of what you like about your body, even if it seems silly. We make a mental list of all the things we hate every day, so why not make the list positive? Maybe you love the shape of your eyebrows!
If you read this and instantly thought “I don’t love anything about my body,” then instead, try changing your perspective on the things you don’t love. Sure, you totally hate your stretch marks or your C-Section scar, but they represent your babies and your job as a mother. Or maybe you hate that your fingers are a little crooked, but they’ve probably held the hand of someone you love, or created beautiful art.
Remember what your body is capable of!
We spend so much time focusing on everything our bodies can’t do that we lose sight of all the amazing things they can do.
These strategies are not a cure for low self-confidence – building a healthy body image is challenging! But like anything, you’ll never get there if you don’t take the first step. One small change can ripple into the big changes you’re looking for. And above all else, remember that you are worth the effort.
If you need some help to work through deeper issues that impact your body image, reach out to our team at Dochas. Give us a call at 780-446-0300 or send us an email at info@dochaspsych.com.
We’d love to connect you with a professional who can help you.
About Dochas Psychological
Dochas Psychological Services is a well-established and trusted therapy clinic located in Spruce Grove, Alberta. At Dochas we value the idea that everyone deserves a safe space. Through connection and education, our team works hard to build a trustworthy relationship with each of our clients. It is our goal to create a community for our clients to feel like they belong.
Disclaimer
Information provided through Dochas Psychological Services blogs or vlogs are meant for educational purposes only. They are NOT medical or mental health advice. You can read more about our disclaimer here.
