Authored by Dr. Hollie Shannon, Clinical Psychologist at Sage Clinics
These days, it almost feels more normal to dislike our bodies than to feel good about them. While most people experience the occasional bad body image day, feeling bad about our bodies more often than not can have a serious impact on our mental well-being. People who struggle with body dissatisfaction often experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
They may even avoid social situations or neglect self-care because they’re feeling self-conscious. On the flip side, when we learn to appreciate our bodies, we’re more likely to feel confident, take better care of ourselves, and develop a healthier relationship with food and exercise.
Body dissatisfaction exists on a spectrum. Some people have fleeting moments of self-criticism that don’t majorly impact their daily life, while others experience constant distress that affects their ability to function.
In extreme cases, it can contribute to serious conditions like eating disorders or Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), where a person becomes fixated on a specific (and often unnoticeable) ‘flaw’ in their appearance.
Their mind is usually so preoccupied by this they will be constantly checking their reflection and/or seeking reassurance from others. They may also spend a lot of time and money trying to ‘fix’ their appearance, but ultimately never feel satisfied with how they look.
The good news? Feeling better about your body doesn’t require changing a thing about your appearance! If you’re struggling with an eating disorder or BDD, reaching out to a specialist mental health professional is always the best step. But even if you just want to work on feeling more comfortable in your own skin, here are some ways to start:
Cut back on body checking. Staring at the mirror, hopping on the scale daily, or overanalyzing photos? These habits only serve to fuel anxiety about perceived imperfections. Try taking a break from them and see how you feel.
Stop the unfair comparisons. Social media makes it too easy to compare ourselves to others—especially when those ‘others’ are heavily edited and filtered. Diversify your feed with body-positive content or take a break from social media altogether.
Practice body gratitude. Instead of nitpicking, try shifting your focus to what your body does for you. Maybe you don’t love your legs, but they take you where you need to go. Your arms help you hug your favorite people. That’s worth appreciating.
Rethink your approach to food and fitness. Instead of following the latest diet trend or 30-day challenge, try tuning into how food and movement make you feel, rather than how they make you look.
Change the conversation. When we talk about our weight (or anyone else’s), we reinforce the idea that appearance equals self-worth. Instead, compliment your friend on their kindness, their humor, or their amazing work ethic. Those things matter so much more!
You deserve to feel good about yourself—exactly as you are. And the best part? You don’t have to change a thing to get there.
Dr Hollie Shannon is a Clinical Psychologist, specialist for Children, Adolescents, Adults, and Eating Disorders at Sage Clinics
You can find out more about Dr. Hollie Shannon and the team at Sage Clinics: here. For more information about the services Sage Clinics offers or to book an appointment please contact +971 4 575 5684, at [email protected]
