 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
Body Image By Stacey Nye, Ph.D
Body image, how we feel about our appearance, is a state of mind. That means that what we see when we look in the mirror is not necessarily an accurate, objective reflection of reality. Body image distortion is when you don't see yourself accurately, like an 85 lb anorexic thinking that she's fat.
Body image dissatisfaction is simply not being happy with your appearance. A recent Psychology Today survey of 4000 people (86% of which were female) reported that more than half the women were dissatisfied with their overall appearance. In fact, 24% of those women admitted that they would sacrifice more than 3 years of their life to achieve their weight goals! With the epidemic increase in dangerous eating behaviors, it looks like some of those people might get their wish.
So, here are some tips how to change your body image, instead of your body: 1. Develop criteria for self esteem that go beyond appearance, such as relationships, academic or business successes, or hobbies 2. Cultivate the ability to appreciate how your body functions, not just how it looks. 3. Engage in behaviors that make you feel good about yourself, ie exercise, massage, and buying nice clothes that fit. Stop weighing yourself and get rid of your scale if you have one. 4. Reduce exposure to negative media images. Research shows that looking at pictures of emaciated fashion models results in lowered self esteem among girls and women. Look for magazines with more realistic images, such as Mode, Radiance, and Girl. 5. Exercise for strength, fitness and health, not just weight control. 6. Seek out others who respect and care about your body. If your partner is critical of your body, consider a new partner rather than a new body. 7. Identify and change habitual negative thoughts about your body. No matter what you look like, no one deserves a poor body image. Start giving equal time to positive self talk. 8. Decode more complicated messages about your body. "Fat" is not a feeling. So, next time you catch yourself saying "I feel fat", try to replace the word fat with a real feeling. 9. Expand your definition of beauty. Reject the destructive social prescription that only thin is beautiful. 10. Control what you can, and forget about what you can't. It's not worth the time, effort and negative energy devoted to an unrealistic goal. Redirect that energy into something positive and productive in your life. 11. If you're stuck, seek professional help. Your inability to let go of an unrealistic fantasy may be a sign of more serious issues, such as an eating disorder, depression or low self esteem.
Look for Dr. Nye's workshop, Life Without Dieting, coming March 25th to the Jewish Community Center of Milwaukee. Call (414) 964-4444 for details. |
|||