Photo Credit: Charlotte Astrid
Magazines brag about having the newest fad diet. Television programs are interspersed by advertisements for the latest hair removal technology or the “big secret” to toning those “troublesome thighs”.
These messages establish an impossible image of the ideal woman.
At Clarity Road, we are not here to sell you a liquid diet or to persuade you to take part in a gruelling exercise regime. Instead, we aim to encourage women to be comfortable and happy as they are.
Here are our tips for maintaining a healthy body image.
Take note of your triggers
Regardless of how happy you are with your body, you may find that certain triggers undercut your positivity from every now and then. If you notice that your negativity is repeatedly caused by a certain trigger, there is a simple solution – avoid it! This may mean putting down that celebrity magazine in favour of a novel, or simply changing the channel on the TV. Maintaining a healthy body image may be as simple as breaking the cycle of negativity fed to you by the media and embracing yourself as beautiful.
Try not to obsess over your body
While it’s important to be aware of changes in your body, remember to keep perspective. Weighing yourself every morning and night, pinching your sides for fat or searching for flaws in your complexion are unhealthy behaviours that will lead you to obsess over problems that do not exist.
This obsession can also manifest through a tendency to constantly compare yourself to others. You may pick out a physical attribute of a stranger and list all of the ways you do or don’t measure up. This nit-picking behaviour is destructive – everyone has different circumstances, different body types and zero control over their genetics! Critiquing someone else’s flaws or virtues will make you obsess over yourself and deteriorate your healthy body image.
Change it up!
If you are feeling unhappy with your appearance, or just a bit blergh all round, it might be time to try something different. This may mean getting a new hairstyle or outfit, or even taking up a new activity like yoga or Zumba. Sometimes all it takes is a bit of variety in your life to build a healthy body image.
Get some fresh air
An unhealthy body image will often coincide with other issues in your life. You may be feeling stressed about work or frustrated by family drama. If you are feeling unhappy, try going for a walk along the beach or reading a book in the park. By getting outdoors you will relax your body, clear your mind and boost your overall feeling of wellbeing.
Find support
If you are struggling to find a healthy body image, you aren’t alone. Blussh and The Butterfly Foundation are two great resources for women. Reach out and seek the support that you deserve, today.
