Having judged my appearance harshly for around 30 years, I’m all too aware of how much body image struggles can reduce the quality of someone’s life. While most of us are probably aware of just how badly this problem affects young girls, I don't think many people realise just how widespread it is.
According to a study conducted by the UK charity, the Mental Health Foundation, in 2019, when it comes to the body image of adults:
in the last year.
These figures show that this is a very common problem that seems to be affecting more and more people. So, if you’re struggling with this, please know that you’re not alone, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
The world has gone mad with its obsessive focus on what our bodies are ‘supposed to’ look like, and we are all susceptible to the ridiculous pressures.
But if these statistics give you the impression that this problem is an inevitable fact of life, don’t lose heart.The good news is that poor body image is not an incurable disease, and with the right help and support, people can recover. I’m living proof of that. And now that I’m active in this field, I come across people all the time that are freeing themselves from the shackles of the punitive so-called ‘beauty’ standards and going on to enjoy their lives to the full.
It might not always be easy. It might take a while. And you might need to get some support. But it CAN be done. As long as you’re alive, it’s never too late to heal, and it’s always worth it. And when you heal, you’ll contribute to a healthier culture for the people around you too.
Here are some common-sense, practical tips from the Mental Health Foundation of actions you can take to start improving your experience of your body today:
1. If your body image is a significant cause of stress, or if you’re being bullied about how your body looks, consider talking to a friend, a trusted adult or a health professional.
2. Spring-clean your apps on your smartphone.
3. Notice the people and accounts you’re following on social media, and be mindful of how you feel about your own body and appearance when you look at them.
4. If you see an advert in a magazine, on television or online that you think presents an unhealthy body image as aspirational, you can complain to the Advertising Standards Authority.
5. Parents and carers can lead by example at home by modelling positive behaviour around body image, eating healthily and staying active.
6. In our daily lives, we can all be more aware of how we speak about our own and other people’s bodies in casual conversations with friends and family.
7. Find the best way that works for you to stay active.
I love the way these tips recognise that this problem requires not just individual changes from the people who are struggling, but can also be supported by collective action too. We can work together to make our society safer for people’s mental health by being more responsible about how we talk about people’s appearance, including our own.
And we can make an effort to be careful about the media and products we follow or buy to avoid endorsing unhelpful ideas and harmful imagery.
Let me know in the comment box below. I'd love to hear from you.
Body image can be a very sticky problem because of how pervasive the beliefs are that underpin it. It can often be helpful to have some support along the way. If you'd like some further support, check out my free resources or find out how you can work with me.
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