Body image issues are stereotypically associated as only being something that affects teenage girls, and as being brought upon by unrealistic images of women being portrayed in the media, but body image issues actually can affect anyone. Societal expectations of what people should look like can cause males and females of all ages to become victim to body image issues. However, societal pressures may keep males from speaking out and talking about it.
Not only can having body image issues induce eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, it can also majorly impact the individual’s self-esteem, making them less confident and feel like they have less self-worth. This can impact all areas of life from the workplace to the bedroom, or even just how you feel when you’re out and about with friends. This is why it is important that these issues are identified and challenged. Here are a few signs that you may be a victim of body image issues:
You constantly compare your body and appearance to those around you
People and images are everywhere. You only have to walk down the street to see huge billboards of long-limbed and flawless models that are being presented as the ‘ideal’. Whether it is one of your friends, or a model on the front page of a magazine, if you find yourself comparing yourself to theirs, this may be a sign that you have to work on thoughts about your body image.
You are constantly aiming to change your appearance
It is natural that there are things you might want to change about your appearance, but it isn’t healthy if these thoughts impact you on a day-to-day basis and affect your quality of life. If you put off doing things you want to do because you are waiting for something to change, either losing/ gaining weight, getting plastic surgery or otherwise, this is a serious cause for concern. It suggests that your own self-worth is linked to your appearance, and this in itself can be extremely damaging.
If you think you might suffer from body image issues, please contact me today and find out how you can create a more positive relationship with your body.
