Do you BATTLE with the scale?
Women and young girls face a lot of crap when it comes to body image and self-esteem. I have personally struggled with this internal battle my entire life, bouncing back and forth between weighing myself daily to throwing my scale out the window! After working with women and adolescent girls for the last 16 years, I have seen this struggle in the life of almost every female that steps into our office. Here are a few of the biggest challenges I have personally experienced and witnessed:
The media: The media is always telling us what we should look like. And it's usually some unrealistic, unattainable standard. This can make us feel like we're not good enough, no matter how hard we try.
Social media: Social media is also a big culprit. People are constantly posting filtered and edited photos of themselves, which can make us feel inadequate. And then there's the whole cyberbullying thing, which is just plain awful. Mommas I URGE you to really consider when is the right time to allow your children access to social media. We should be aware of the potential issues this may cause for them. There’s no right or wrong answer here, it’s just something to really consider.
Peer pressure: Our peers can also play a role in body image issues. Girls may be teased or bullied about their appearance, which can lead to low self-esteem.
Family: Family members may also make comments about our appearance, either positive or negative. This can also have a negative impact on our body image and self-esteem. While sometimes comments from family members can be playful and not meant for harm- they can actually be damaging.
All of these challenges can have a lot of negative consequences, including:
Eating disorders: Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia, are often caused by body image issues. Food addiction is also a VERY REAL issue and sometimes can be used a coping mechanism when dealing with other issues.
Depression and anxiety: Body image issues can also lead to depression and anxiety. Talking to a trusted family member or friend may be helpful when dealing with these things, but seeking out a therapist can also be beneficial.
Low self-esteem: Low self-esteem can make it difficult to succeed in school, work, and relationships.
Substance abuse: Some people may turn to substance abuse to cope with the negative emotions associated with body image issues.
It's important to remember that everyone is different and there is no one definition of beauty. Every BODY is beautiful in its own way.
If you're struggling with body image issues or low self-esteem, there are a few things you can do to help yourself:
Talk to someone you trust. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or your healthcare provider. Talking about what you're going through can help you to process your feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Challenge negative thoughts. When you have a negative thought about your appearance, challenge it. Ask yourself if the thought is realistic and whether it is helping you or hurting you.
Focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Make a list of all of your strengths and accomplishments. This will help you to focus on the positive aspects of yourself. When you’re struggling with negative thoughts- refer to this list! Keep it close by for easy access.
Surround yourself with positive people. Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself and who support your goals.
Take care of yourself. Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep. Taking care of yourself will help you to feel better physically and emotionally.
Remember, you're not alone. Many women and young girls struggle with body image issues and low self-esteem. There are things you can do to help yourself, and there are people who care about you and want to help.
Be kind to yourself. Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a best friend. Be understanding and supportive.
Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is different and has their own unique beauty. Focus on your own journey and don't worry about what other people are doing.
Find activities that make you feel good about yourself. This could be anything from exercising to spending time with loved ones to doing something creative.
Celebrate your body. Take some time each day to appreciate your body for all that it does for you. It's strong, resilient, and beautiful.
You are WORTHY of love and respect, no matter what your body looks like 🖤
