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HEALTHY BODY IMAGE
By John T. Nichols, M.D.
A healthy body image is extremely important for good health. Unfortunately, the American media has made this difficult to achieve; just watch television or open a magazine and you will see why over half of the American population has low self-esteem due to poor self body image. We see these airbrushed versions of perfection and punish ourselves with anxiety for not having the perfect body, one that is usually not genetically achievable.
Physical perfection is an unobtainable myth that seriously begins to affect us in adolescence. We need to learn how to accept and be comfortable with the body parts we have been dealt. The following are a few suggestions to help improve self body image:
- Work hard to become the best that you can be instead of comparing yourself to someone else. This includes good nutrition, hygiene, exercise, education, etc.
- Love yourself as a whole instead of focusing on individual body parts.
- Concentrate on who you are and try to continually improve your talents instead of fixating on your external shell.
- Do not be negative towards yourself; always look for the positive in everything. Look realistically at others around you; no person is perfect, but everyone has positive traits.
- When life becomes too stressful, look to your friends and family. They are better able to help you see your good qualities.
- Wear clothes that flatter your physique. Rarely is there a person who could appropriately wear designer fashions and look like a super model.
- If the stress of body image becomes overwhelming or leads to physical symptoms, do not be afraid to ask your family physician for help.
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