We’ve seen a boom of information about body image in recent years, with some excellent campaigns (see Dove’s Be Real Body Confidence campaign) raising the profile of this challenge for so many. However, UK adults still struggle with their body image.
This tells us two things:
- If you struggle with body image difficulties, you’re not alone
- Body image is directly linked to our mental health
This means body image concerns are real, they are common, and we don’t need just to ignore how we feel about ourselves. Most of us would agree that we still need more information about body image – especially on changing our body image to be healthier.
Healthy body image = acceptance
Healthy body image ≠ perfection
Research shows that aiming for an unrealistic ideal can create unhelpful attitudes about ourselves. We begin to seek perfection based on the ideals that we see around us. Even though we know, really, no one is perfect – we sometimes convince ourselves that we should aim toward perfection.
The result? We feel like we’re never enough. We can’t reach perfection, so we’re always reaching. It’s exhausting. And it doesn’t lead to a healthy body image. Working towards acceptance, not perfection, can lead to a healthier body image.
Feeling my mind
Parenting for a healthy body image
Mirror my mind comics
Body image and mental health
Body image issues can affect all of us at any age and directly affect our mental health. However, there is still a lack of much-needed research and understanding.
Learn more about body image and mental health