You can develop body image issues at any point in life, although most people tend to develop these concerns during childhood, adolescence, or after an event, such as pregnancy or an accident.
You can overcome body image issues with some changes in thinking, new lifestyle habits, and counseling. God gave us our bodies to house our souls. Although the body may be a temporary vessel for the soul, we need to treat it with love and respect. To do this, you may need to work on your negative thoughts.
Causes of Body Image Issues
Body image issues can arise from various causes and at any time. For example, if you recently left an abusive relationship, you may develop a poor body image. These issues may prevent you from seeking out help from others, socializing, or committing to new opportunities.
The following (though not exhaustive) is a list of common causes of body image issues.
Childhood Bullying
Often the effects of abuse and bullying can carry forward into the future. The trauma can manifest itself in mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
If you were subjected to bullying about your weight or appearance, this can lead to a negative body image. You may hear the voices of your tormentors in your head in the form of thoughts and experience that trauma over again. You may have been bullied by classmates, friends, or even family members.
Preoccupation with Body Image by Role Models
As children, we mimic what we see our role models do. For example, if your mother was constantly obsessed about her weight, talked about losing fat or burning calories, or about her body image issues in front of you, then you may view your own body in that same light as an adult.
Many of our habits are established as children. Ask yourself if a role model obsessively weighed herself daily and if you do the same. What other habits do you see yourself repeating that you learned from your role models when it came to weight or appearance? Are these habits healthy? If you are practicing unhealthy habits, ask a counselor about how to adopt a new, healthier routine.
The Media’s Ideal Body
We have never before in history had access to information like we do today. Yet, when it comes to body image and society’s ideals about appearance, we find that if we do not fit into a cookie-cutter ideal, then we believe we are not worthy. We tend to forget that God made each one of us unique to serve Him. Instead, we try to alter our appearance to become more appealing to the current culture.
But beauty ideals change, and what was once considered beautiful decades ago is no longer the case. We need to learn how to accept our bodies and practice gratitude and appreciation for what they can do. Sometimes the only way to get past the influences of the media is to go through a social media hiatus while we seek counseling for body image issues.
Why Poor Body Image is a Concern
Poor body image can lead to other mental conditions without treatment:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Low Self-Confidence/ Low self-esteem
- Eating Disorders
- Self-Harm or Suicidal Thoughts
Seek help right away if you struggle with suicidal thoughts.
How to Overcome Body Image Issues
It can take a combination of lifestyle tweaks, new habits, and counseling to overcome body image issues. You may need to relearn thinking patterns. Negative and intrusive thoughts can lead to emotional upheaval, causing you to not want to venture out of your comfort zone. You may turn to harmful behaviors like starving, purging, bingeing, or other forms of self-harm.
The following is a list of tasks you can work on alongside any techniques your counselor may suggest.
Watch your thoughts
How often do you challenge your thoughts? We think tens of thousands of thoughts each day. Many of these are subconscious, yet they influence our emotions and behaviors. Learning to slow down and “catch” your thoughts is a learned skill. Often, we charge ahead without challenging the voice in our minds.
When you look in the mirror, pay close attention to the thoughts running through your mind. Are they negative? Are you focusing on your flaws and talking down to yourself? Take a moment to write down these negative thoughts and then reframe them into more helpful aspirations.
For example, if you think, “I’m so fat. No one loves me,” reframe that thought into something like this, “My body carries me through so much. I’m going to focus on getting healthy and celebrating progress. The right people in my life do love me and more importantly, God loves me for who I am.”
Accentuate what you love
Almost everyone can point out one thing in their appearance they wish to change. However, when you obsess about flaws to the point that it interferes with your daily routine and relationships, then you need to seek professional help for body image issues.
One way to counteract these negative thoughts about your body is to point out what you love most about your body. This exercise is a little tricky as most of us tend to dwell on perceived flaws. Start with what you can see, such as your eyes. Do you love the color? Are you grateful that you can see the world around you?
After you have listed the body parts you like, find ways to accentuate those. For example, if you are grateful for your strong legs, find clothing that shows them off. This is not about gaining the attention of others, but about wearing something that makes you feel good about specific body parts and helping you fall in love with the body you have (even if you are on a health and wellness journey).
Treat your body like a temple (for the Holy Spirit)
Caring for your body and your mental health as it pertains to body image is not selfish. The Bible states, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20, NIV)
We want to treat our bodies like the vessels God has blessed us with until we pass into glory in a spiritual form or until the day Jesus returns. This means feeding ourselves with the proper fuel to take care of our responsibilities and rest. It means taking some time for rest. It means moving our bodies more if we lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Honoring our bodies means protecting our minds from negative thoughts and demeaning words. If you struggle with thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, reach out to a counselor today to learn more about psychotherapy techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Ditch the toxic
Body image issues can be rooted in toxic relationships. Some relationships are unavoidable, such as immediate family members. However, most of the time, you can take a step away from people who make your body image worse.
You may need to forgive people in your past who contributed to your negative body image, but that does not mean that you need to invite them into your daily life. Resolve your emotions toward these people to set yourself free from their words. Work with a counselor if you need help removing yourself from a toxic relationship.
Seek help for body image issues
Negative thoughts, self-talk, and mindset are often the culprit behind body image issues. Sometimes the only way to break free from this critical thinking is to seek the help of a counselor. A counselor can teach you how to identify and challenge thoughts and emotions that result in feelings of self-consciousness and shame.
Counseling also effectively treats mental disorders from body image issues like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Contact us today to schedule a counseling session.
Photo:
“Woman in the Mirror”, Courtesy of Erinada Valpurgieva, Unsplash.com, CC0 License
