“What should I do if I’m always speaking negatively about my body?”

Do you ever find it hard to speak kindly to yourself and to appreciate your body? That is understandable, particularly in a world filled with unrealistic beauty standards and constant comparisons.

Taking steps to appreciate, nurture and nourish your body is a challenging yet worthwhile task, as it can support your overall well-being, self-confidence and sense of self-worth over time.

Here are some strategies that may help you:

1. Practice Body Gratitude

Instead of focusing on what you wish to change, take time to appreciate what your body does for you.

Have a think about…

● What has my body enabled me to do today?

● What activities have I done that were enjoyable in my body today?

● How can I express gratitude for my body today?

Consider noting down your answers in a journal, that way you can regularly reflect back on them. Common answers may include: walking, dancing, or hugging a loved one.

2. Challenge Unhelpful Self-Talk

Notice when you’re engaging in self-criticism towards your body (like having negative thoughts like “my body is ugly”, You may like to ask yourself:

● “Is this thought helpful or harmful to myself and my body?”

● “If my friend had the same concerns, what advice would I give to them?”

● “How can I speak to myself with more kindness and appreciation?”

Consider introducing a kinder, more compassionate way of speaking to yourself; i.e. how you would speak to a close friend you love and appreciate.

3. Limit Social Media Comparison + Monitor Your Social Media Feed

Social media can often contribute to body dissatisfaction (or disliking your body) if you are constantly comparing your body to a certain type of body portrayed on social media.

In 2023, the Butterfly Foundation’s Body Kind Survey of nearly 3000 young people reported that almost two thirds (62%) said social media made them feel dissatisfied with their body.(1)

To challenge this, it may be helpful to curate your social media feed to include content that showcases different types of bodies and promotes nourishing practices for your body, for example, mindful movement and regular nutritious food.

The social media content you consume should uplift you and educate you positively, rather than cause you to experience self-doubt.

Research from Griffith University shows that viewing social media content that encourages body neutrality, results in significant higher levels of self compassion & greater sense of inclusivity within communities.(2) Body neutrality social media content tends to feature diverse body shapes, a range of health conditions and disabilities that impact body shape and can feature a range of races and cultures.

Final Reminder

Your body is your lifelong companion - work towards treating your body with love and

respect. By implementing these strategies, you can build a healthier, more

compassionate relationship with yourself and your body.

References:

(1) Butterfly Foundation (2023). Body Kind Youth Survey: Your body image, Your voice 2023 report. Retrieved from http://www.butterfly.org.au/youthsurveyfindings

(2) Seekis, V., & Lawrence, R. (2024). The effect of TikTok body neutrality content on young women’s self-compassion.Psychology of Popular Media. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/ppm0000569

Written by: Psychologist Harriet Iles

Harriet Iles — Registered Psychologist

I believe that knowledge is power and consider self-awareness and mindfulness to be essential catalysts for positive behavioural and cognitive change. My practice is centered on empowering you with psychoeducation and evidence-based tools to foster meaningful and purposeful change.

Harriet's special interests: I work with individuals to support them to manage their anxiety and mood, and to overcome perfectionism and self-limiting beliefs that no longer serve them in order to restore greater calm, confidence and self belief in their life.

Contact Harriet:

https://restorativespace.com.au/get-in-touch/

Instagram: restorativespacepsychology 

The content on this page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a

substitute for personalised, psychological advice and/or therapy. If you have a mental

health concern, you are advised to seek individual support/therapy from a mental health

professional.