Body Image
Body Image
The focus of this blog is to talk through some of the common traps we fall into with body image work and give you some simple strategies to try! First let’s define body image.
What is body image?
Thoughts and feelings about your body
how we feel about ourselves physically
how we believe others see us
Before we get into the content of the blog, I want you to pause and check in with your own body image right now. Here are three prompts to cue you into your current body image. You can journal about these if you feel comfortable. When journaling keep in mind that it can be flexible and you do not need to apply rigidity to your journaling practice.
Pause and ask yourself how do you feel about your body? - this can cue you into your body image right now (are you viewing your body as if you are an outside viewer?)
Write a letter to your younger self, focus on the things you would think your younger self would be proud of and also acknowledge the things you feel could be better, like your body image or your self talk.
What is affected negatively in your life by having negative body image/self talk? What could you gain if you focused less on body image/ food choices?
“Positive body image isn’t believing your body looks good, it’s knowing your body is good, regardless of how it looks.”
Let’s unpack this quote. Hinging our value on how our body looks is very challenging because our body looks and feels different in most situations, as humans we are constantly changing and thoughts are in flux. If we rather hinge our value around something deeper, like the knowledge that our body is good no matter how it looks, we can take the emphasis off of the looks. As women especially we are so often considered by how we appear and not what we have to offer on a deeper level. Start reclaiming this space by shifting your focus from how you look to how you add value and what your power is.
We are all worth more than how we look to other people. I challenge you to work on believing in the value you bring to the world rather than focusing on how you look in any given moment.
The issue with the idea that “all women are beautiful despite their flaws” is that we are still hinging women's value on their body/ perception of their body. What other things can we use to identify our value? Try out a values exercise where you can identify your true values.
Breaking Down the Concept of Beauty
Suffering because women are being defined by beauty- women need to be valued as more than bodies to be viewed and focusing on beauty continues the messaging around importance of women's bodies being something to be viewed above all other value
To work on creating a more positive or neutral body image, we need to work to shift from being defined by “beauty” to something different, something deeper.
Pause and reflect on some deeper value you bring to this world
Having a negative body image or challenging relationship with your body can cause you a lot of distress. When we spend so much time thinking about our bodies, scrutinizing our looks, analyzing our food choices, we lose a lot of brain power. We can waste precious energy that could be used to fuel some of our deeper goals and interests. When we are stuck in the body image trap, it can feel hard to break out and feel the freedom of less time thinking about our bodies. Shifting away from self objectification and monitoring your body constantly can alleviate some of your energy and allow you to focus on other things that are important to you. We can make a conscious choice to care about the things that truly matter to us.
One of my favorite strategies for this is the “backpack” strategy. For this mental strategy you have to imagine that when you are born you have a “backpack.” In this backpack you add all the things that you are told by teachers, parents, tv etc. You fill up the backpack throughout your whole life, with things that may or may not fit. The goal is to now take a look at the things you are carrying around and decide if they still align with your values or if they are someone else’s. As you examine the ideas in your backpack ask yourself if each idea aligns with your own beliefs and morals. If it does, put it back in, if it does not, find a way to let it go mentally.
“Body as instrument for your use rather than ornament for viewing by others. More than objects, more than beautiful, more than a body. See more by redefining beauty for yourself, be more by refusing to be defined by beauty” -Lexie and Lindsay Kite
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Strategy
Increase psychological flexibility in thinking about body image
Challenging the rigid beliefs we have about beauty and bodies and value
Clarify your values rather than adhering to strict rules you once set for yourself or heard (unpack the backpack)
Write down one value or ideal that you are feeling ready to explore that has been stuck in your backpack. Explore if it aligns with your values. Decide if you want to keep it, or let it go.
If you need any additional support working through your challenges with body image or relationship with food. Please feel free to reach out. Schedule your free 15 minute consultation today.
Please email us with any questions or inquiries at hello@thropetherapy.com
Resources
More Than a Body by Lexie and Lindsay Kite
Body Kindness by Rebecca Scritchfield
