Cultivating a Healthy Body Image

Dissatisfaction with our body shape and size has become so pervasive that it’s almost become a given.  Diet and weight loss programs have become a $70 billion dollar industry. And this does not take into account the billions more poured into exercise and fitness.

Wanting to be healthy and strong is a good thing, but more often than not, this is not the underlying motivation.  In a recent survey done by the research firm, YouGov, 51% of Americans said that they felt pressured to have a certain body type.  

These results are not surprising.  For decades, the media has sold us their version of an ideal body: young, thin, strong, able-bodied, and white. And we have bought in, even those of us who consider ourselves progressive and independent-minded.  It’s hard not to internalize these messages when it’s “the soup we swim in.”  Between TV, movies, social media, and magazines, we are constantly being bombarded with society’s version of an ideal body.  And the implicit message is that it takes an ideal body to be truly happy.

More Than Meets the Eye

Of course, a preoccupation with weight and body image is about how we look, but it’s also about so much more.  It is commonly stated that human beings are social creatures.  That means that the need to feel loved and accepted is deeply wired in all of us.  

Because our culture places so much emphasis on appearances - and appearing a certain way - we often believe that being a certain weight or size will help us attain the belonging and approval we desire. Unfortunately, these messages were sometimes reinforced by our families, which only amplified the focus on our bodies.

Body image dissatisfaction (and often full-blown eating disorders) are common in people who experience anxiety or have histories of trauma. The reasons for this are complex. But these individuals often appear to be seeking a modicum of control in their lives, especially when things feel overwhelming. Focusing on the number on the scale can feel much more manageable than dealing with painful emotions.

Stopping the War Against Yourself

Although these beliefs are deeply ingrained, they can be unlearned.  Here are some principles to consider for starting the process:

• Practice self-compassion: It can be easy to become frustrated with yourself when you begin to uncover the negative beliefs you hold and the way you have treated your body.  Keep in mind that we are all deeply influenced by the culture (and the diet industry).  You did not choose to think and feel the way you do.  Socialization is a powerful process.

• Focus on what your body does:  We get so caught up in what our bodies look like, we lose sight of all the miraculous things they are doing every minute to support us.  While loving how your body looks might feel like a stretch, being grateful for all it gives us can be a powerful shift.

• Remember what matters: When you find yourself preoccupied with your weight or body size, use that as a signal to take stock of what is truly important for you.   Over-focusing on our bodies can lead us to not be fully present with those we love. Or, we may pass up social invitations altogether. It becomes a case of not seeing the forest for the trees.  Explore what’s underneath your dissatisfaction with your body.

Body Image Anxiety

Because of the script American media and society pushes on us, it makes sense that you’d have body image anxiety. Maybe you look in the mirror for minutes on end. On the other hand, maybe you can’t even stand to see your reflection. Perhaps you intensely consider the foods you put into your body. Likewise, taking pictures, even if they’re not for Instagram, can become anxiety-inducing.

As an anxiety therapist, I’ve talked with many clients about body image anxiety. You’re not alone in this. Many Americans, and particularly female-identifying Americans, are in this boat with you.

Regardless of the message you see and hear day in and day out, you deserve to live a life free from body image anxiety. And this takes hard work! It takes time to heal your relationship with your body. I believe that at the least, you deserve to quiet that voice in your head that dampens your confidence.

Anxiety Treatment in Silver Spring, MD Can Help

If anxiety about weight or body image is preventing you from fully engaging in your life, anxiety treatment can help.  Working with an anxiety therapist to heal your relationship with your body can make a world of a difference. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of anxiety treatment for body image anxiety, let’s talk.

Please go ahead and schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation at my Washington, DC area therapy practice. We’ll discuss your needs in anxiety treatment, then we can explore how to help you start feeling at home in your own skin.

Other Therapy Services

Along with anxiety treatment, I provide a few other services to help you live as the most authentic version of yourself. I help folks struggling with people pleasing and boundaries in therapy for codependency. Additionally, I assist individuals in processing and healing from the past in trauma therapy and PTSD treatment. If you have questions about therapy or the costs associated with it, feel free to reach out to me.