What Matters Most Is How You See Yourself

Written By: Blanca Canizales Delcid

Body image has always been my favorite subject to talk about. Because it is something anyone can relate to. I think about that time when plus size clothing was outdated and limited. Although stores may have more variety for a type of body it still is a major concern today. During these times we see more and more social media creating a certain expectation of what is considered “the ideal body image”. It is a subject that can easily be influenced by family, disability, cultural background, and even social media.

What is body image?

It is the perception that a person has of their own physic combined with thoughts and feelings that represent that perception. The feelings can be positive, negative, or even both, however, they are influenced by individual and external factors. Body image can change through your lifetime. For the most part when you feel good about your body you are more likely to have a good self-esteem.

Signs of unhealthy body image?

• Obsessive self-scrutiny in mirrors.
• Thinking disparaging comments about your body and frequent comparison of your own shape and size to other people.
• Envy or a friend’s body, or just as commonly: the body of a celebrity or someone else in the media.
• Obsessing with weight loss or gain, setting unrealistic goals.

Tips on how to improve your body image:

One list cannot automatically tell you how to turn negative body thoughts into positive body image, but it can introduce you to healthier ways of looking at yourself and your body. The more you practice these new thought patterns, the better you will feel about who you are and the body you naturally have.

1. Appreciate all that your body can do. every day your body carries you closer to your dreams. Celebrate all the amazing things your body does for you—running, dancing, breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc.
2. Keep a top-ten list of things you like about yourself—things that are not related to how much you weigh or what you look like. Read your list often. Add to it as you become aware of more things to like about yourself.
3. Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep. when you feel good about yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and openness that makes you beautiful. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your body.
4. Look at yourself as a whole person. when you see yourself in a mirror or in your mind, choose not to focus on specific body parts. See yourself as you want others to see you — as a whole person.
5. Surround yourself with positive people. it is easier to feel good about yourself and your body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance of liking yourself just as you naturally are.
6. Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” or that you are a “bad” person. you can overpower those negative thoughts with positive ones. The next time you start to tear yourself down, build yourself back up with a few quick affirmations that work for you.
7. Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body. work with your body, not against it.
8. Become a critical viewer of social and media messages. pay attention to images, slogans, or attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or your body. Protest these messages: write a letter to the advertiser or talk back to the image or message.
9. Do something nice for yourself — something that lets your body know you appreciate it. Take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, or find a peaceful place outside to relax.
10. Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories, and your weight to do something to help others. sometimes reaching out to other people can help you feel better about yourself and can make a positive change in our world.
    The beauty is to learn and become comfortable with your own skin. Also accepting who you are.

The beauty is to learn and become comfortable with your own skin. Also accepting who you are.