When someone mentions mental health, we think of our brain first. However, mental health isn’t only about the brain; it also affects our bodies. Have you ever heard of the term body image and what it stands for?
Since “body” is a general term, it can mean anything, from weight to your skin or your face. But body image doesn’t always depend on your weight. It can be an issue you perceive with your lips or other body parts. Body image represents thoughts, attitudes, and perceptions about your physical appearance, which can be positive or negative.
Four aspects of body image
Perceptual
This is what you notice in terms of your body image. Keep in mind that perception isn’t always linked to reality. Different people receive different things. For instance, you may think you have a large nose when it’s actually petite.
Affective
This represents how you feel about your own body image. For example, you might be satisfied with some body parts while disliking others.
Cognitive
The cognitive aspect shows how you think of your body. Some people believe they will have a better love life or date more men and women if they are skinny or have more muscles.
Behavioral
Individuals who aren’t happy with their bodies may decide to work out, undergo a cosmetic procedure, or try a restrictive diet. They will act in regard to their body image.
Body image issues
Body acceptance doesn’t only mean accepting your body the way it is. This act means you are underrating and accepting your physical appearance, knowing you will struggle with it and celebrate it at times.
There are several types of body acceptance:
- Body positivity: these people have unconditional love for their bodies, regardless of how they feel or look. They are confident and comfortable.
- Body neutrality: don’t focus either on positivity or negativity.
- Body liberation: it promotes diversity and autonomy among body sizes and shapes.
In contrast, negative ideas and feelings about your body are a part of body dissatisfaction, often known as a negative body image. The majority of the time, this discontent is a misperception of how you actually feel or appear. Women generally have a worse perception of their bodies than men, mostly due to cultural expectations.
Unfortunately, these unfavorable attitudes often develop early in life. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, almost half of elementary school girls struggle with weight or worry about gaining weight. If a child is suffering bullying at school because of their looks or grows up in a home where weight is a big deal, they are more likely to struggle with their body image.
Mental health and body image.
Problems with your body don’t just begin and end with how you look. A toxic atmosphere can be produced by the mental effects of having a negative body image. Part of the issue is, for example, a person who feels they have bad hair and they would like to have stunning temple hair instead. When people start to doubt their value, problems further develop.
You might, for instance, allow yourself to think critically about your appearance and how you’re not good enough or attractive enough. Having negative thoughts about your appearance can lead to a variety of issues, such as the following emotions and behaviors:
- Thinking too much about body weight
- Lack of self-esteem
- Negative self-talk
- Guilt
- Feeling of shame
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
How to have a healthy body image?
Rather than trying to control your shape, eat and move in a way that makes you happy. Try to remain in the company of caring friends and family members. Avoid anyone on social media that shames others for their bodies and favors one body type over another. Consider the feelings causing you to have negative thoughts about your body image. Do you feel anxiety and tension? Take care of yourself, and always remind yourself that you deserve kindness and love.
Seek help from friends and family. Never compare yourself to others.
If you are struggling with a negative body image or believe it somehow affects your mental health, don’t give up and try turning negativity into positivity.
