Self-Acceptance: How To Build a Healthy Body Image

Disclaimer: This is not a blog meant to shame anyone. This is to raise wareness about the topic and offer insight into the topic. This is not professional advice in any capacity.

Wanting to look and feel your best is not a bad thing however when the reason of engaging in any beauty treatment or self-improvement activity stems from a place of insecurity and unhealthy discontentment, it may be hard to know what is actually helpful versus what is harmful.

Aside from the expensive nature of these products and procedures, medical complications, adverse reactions, and other potential harmful outcomes,  there is an area that it's impact seems to be forgotten: mental health and wellness. 

When society makes it seem easier to ‘fix’ or ‘conceal’ what we perceive to be a flaw, then we are more likely to see ourselves as broken unless we 'fix it'. Now don’t get me wrong I am not saying that you should not treat a pimple, or that dyeing your hair blond means that you hate yourself. But what I am saying is that the motive and place from which you do these things do matter. If you engage in these practices from a place of self-acceptance, then these don’t become things that define or change you because you already know who you are. On the flip side, if you do these things telling yourself "I will be attractive" or " People will like me more", then this may not actually reflect self-acceptance and may actually cause more harm than good.

The Impact on Mental Health: Low Self- Esteem

A study conducted by Merino et al. on the effects of social media on self-esteem indicates that satisfaction or dissatisfaction in this domain can significantly influence an individual's emotions, behaviors, and quality of life (2024). As they point out,

"[this] connection underscores the importance of addressing body image concerns not merely as issues of vanity but as substantive contributors to mental health. Body image satisfaction can serve as a protective factor, bolstering self-esteem, fostering positive social interactions, and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Conversely, body image dissatisfaction can trigger a cascade of negative psychological effects, including heightened stress, withdrawal from social activities, and risky behaviors aimed at altering one’s physical appearance. These psychological states can extend far beyond transient moods, potentially influencing long-term mental health and well-being [48].

(Marino Et al, 2024).

In many ways, this might seem like a minor issue with no real impact on society. However, if we recognize that society is made of individuals, we should also realize that improving society involves improving ourselves holistically. Personally, when I feel better about myself, I tend to take better care of myself and become more involved in my community.

The Bible tells us to love our neighbours as ourselves (Mark 12:31) but many of us read that and focus on just loving our neighbour but the caveat there is that we must love ourselves too so that we can love our neighbours. We cannot give what we don't have so we must learn to love ourselves. Now this doesn't have to be expensive; in fact, there are basic steps you can take to start on this path. Here are some simple tips you can begin implementing today to boost your self-esteem:

Begin to truly see yourself.

Sometimes we are so used to wearing makeup, wearing waist trainers, wigs,  extensions, toupees, and so forth that we actually forget what we really look like. So when you have none of those things on, really look at yourself and begin to see yourself. You’d be surprised how much more beautiful or handsome you actually are in spite of the imperfections you feel you have.

Accept the body you are in and all its perceived imperfections.

I know this is easier said than done but it is extremely important to learn to look at yourself in the mirror and accept the way you look. Sometimes we may be comparing ourselves to our past self wishing to get back there but it is important to accept the fact that we all change as we grow. This does not mean stop using creams, and makeup, and extensions, waist trainers, or anything like that but the goal is to accept yourself without all those things. 

Find ways to feel and be healthier through building better habits and lifestyle changes.

 For a lot of us, what we think would be solved by things would actually be solved by just making some lifestyle changes and developing better habits. Look at your routine right now and set a goal to build better habits (click here to read a previous blog on goal setting). By doing this you will start to feel better which could actually lead to you being happier in your body.

Beleive that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

There is indeed a societal standard of beauty but don’t let that make you feel any less attractive. Understand that these standards are always changing and are not static and realize also that beauty is subjective. The most beautiful women are the ones who know they are beautiful within themselves.

Talk to somone you trust.

Sometimes when we have a hard time accepting ourselves it can be as a result of certain experiences and deep set beliefs we have. Talking to friends, family, religious leader, or even a mental health professional can help b

ecause often they can help you see things from a different perspective.

Support on Your Journey

If you are looking for tailored support to navigate this journey and would like additional support through counseling or Psychotherapy click here to schedule your free consultation (Or call us directly at 905 904 1403) and take the first step toward clarity, healing, and wholeness.

Reference

Merino, M., Tornero-Aguilera, J. F., Rubio-Zarapuz, A., Villanueva-Tobaldo, C. V., Martín-Rodríguez, A., Clemente-Suárez, V. J. (2024). Body Perceptions and Psychological Well-Being: A Review of the Impact of Social Media and Physical Measurements on Self-Esteem and Mental Health with a Focus on Body Image Satisfaction and Its Relationship with Cultural and Gender Factors. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 12(14), 1396. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12141396