Finding Activities That Uphold Positive Body Image

Contributor: Crystal Karges, MS, RDN, IBCLC, Special Projects Coordinator at Eating Disorder Hope/Addiction Hope

In a society and culture that is saturated with images of how we are not good enough, do not measure up, or need to improve ourselves, it can be a struggle to maintain a healthy and positive body image.

Being aware or your surroundings and practicing behaviors and activities that uphold a positive body image can help strengthen your resolve and self-esteem in a an environment that can be harsh and judgmental.

What are practical ways that you can build up and uphold a positive body image? Thankfully, there are a myriad of ways you can practice and support a positive body image on a daily basis. While your circumstances and surroundings may change on a daily basis, you can practice ongoing behaviors that help you support a healthy body image for the long term.

Choosing the People You Engage With

One place to start is to consider your surroundings and the people you engage with on a regular basis. Are the people that you are in relationships with help you feel good about yourself and your body, or do they tear you down and made you feel poorly about yourself?

Asking these questions may be a difficult thing to do, but if you are serious about building a positive self-esteem, this is a crucial place to start. You may need to reexamine the relationships that you are in and discover ways that can build more positive friendships with others who support your endeavors.

Caring for Your Body

It is also important to examine how you are caring for yourself and your body. Positive self-esteem begins with self-love and care. Are you nurturing your body and eating a balanced diet? Are you sleeping enough at night and engaging in gentle movement and exercise?

Remind yourself that you are valuable and your life is important. You are worthy of self-care, love and nurturance, and this is something you can give to yourself.

Giving Yourself Positive Affirmations

Giving yourself positive affirmations can also be helpful in building a positive body image. While you may not completely believe these affirmations initially, repeated behavior can help you support your positive body image.

Tape notes, quotes, or inspiring images on your walls or mirrors that remind you or your worth and encourage you towards positivity. Remember that you are deserving of love, and creating a positive body image is part of self-love.

Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!

What are positive ways in which you build your body image?

Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on June 19th, 2015
Published on EatingDisorderHope.com