By Kristen Sohlman, HBA, RP Photo by DZ Photography After participating in a recent staff photoshoot, I began to think more about positive body image. What I noticed was that a group of strong, capable, and resilient woman started to question themselves. More specifically, they and myself included, started questioning their physical selves, their bodies, and in doing so, themselves. It is likely that while these negative self-judgments were being said out loud because it was a photoshoot, that these feelings were likely present long before the photoshoot itself but perhaps were silently said in the minds of myself and my co-workers. It is a very common issue for people to have negative images, thoughts, and feelings about themselves and their physical self. How does one begin to accept who they are and feel good about their body at the same time? Body image, or the perception that a person has of their physical self and the thoughts and feelings that result from that perception, is a multidimensional construct that includes four key concepts:
When you have a positive body image, you are able to accept, appreciate, and respect your body. It is important to remember that this does not mean that you won’t feel any insecurities or think that your body is perfect, but you come to accept and acknowledge any insecurities for what they are and believe that your body is as it should be, perfect for you! Positive body image requires:
So, what are some helpful ways to improve your own body image?
Ackerman, C. (2018). Positive Body Image: How to Feel Good About Your Body. Positive Psychology Program. [Web page] Retrieved from https://positivepsychologyprogram.com/positive-body-image/ National Eating Disorders Collaboration. (2017). What is body image? Australian Government Department of Health. [Web page] Retrieved from http://www.nedc.com.au/body-image |
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