What are the 4 types of body image?
What are the four aspects of body image? The way you see your body is your perceptual body image, The way you feel about your body is your affective body image, The way you think about your body is your cognitive body image, The behaviours you engage in as a result of your body image are your behavioural body image
Understanding Body Image & Self-Esteem
Body image and self-esteem are closely related, yet distinct concepts. Body image refers to one’s perception, attitude, and feelings about their physical body. It affects how we feel about our bodies, how we look in the mirror and how we think others perceive us. On the other hand, self-esteem is a type of self-evaluation, which is related to how one feels about oneself and their worth. It influences how we view ourselves, how we interact with others, and how we approach different situations and experiences.
* Perception: Body image is a subjective perception of one’s physical self. The way someone views their body is influenced by many factors such as their physical environment, cultural norms, and even location. Generally, body image is impacted by an individual’s self-talk, and how they interpret different experiences they have in life.
* Attitude & Feelings: Attitude and feelings are two of the most influential components of body image. An individual’s attitude towards their body often dictates how they feel about it. For instance, a person with a positive attitude may feel better about their body, whereas someone with a negative attitude may feel worse about it. A person’s feelings about their body can also greatly influence their perception, as negative or negative feelings can lead to a distorted or incorrect view of one’s body.
* Mirror Image: When looking at our reflection in the mirror, many of us focus on particular features. This is sometimes referred to as “mirror body image”, which can be positive or negative. Positive mirror body image is when we accept and appreciate our physical appearance, while negative mirror body image is when we feel self-conscious and unhappy with our body.
Understanding Self-Esteem
Self-esteem is a type of self-evaluation, which is related to how one feels about themselves and their worth. It is a reflection of how favorably or unfavorably we view our capabilities, competencies, and worthiness. It is often influenced by both internal and external factors, such as our upbringing, the opinions of others, difficult life experiences, and overall life satisfaction.
* Self-evaluation: Self-esteem is a type of self-evaluation, which is related to how we feel about ourselves. It is influenced by our self-talk, thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. It is a way of measuring our worth and confidence, and can be either positive or negative.
* Internal & External Factors: Self-esteem can be shaped by internal and external factors. Internal factors may include our own self-talk, thoughts, and beliefs about ourselves, whereas external factors may include the opinions of others, our environment, or difficult life experiences. It is important to recognize that self-esteem can be influenced by both internal and external forces.
* Measurement of Worthiness & Confidence: Self-esteem helps to measure our worthiness and confidence, and how we view our self-image. It is a reflection of how favorably or unfavorably we view our capabilities, competencies, and worthiness. It is important to understand how our self-esteem can change over time due to different experiences.
Impact of Body Image & Self-Esteem
Body image and self-esteem can have a significant impact on one’s mental, physical, and emotional health. Poor body image and low self-esteem can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, and low self-worth, as well as impact our relationships with others. On the other hand, positive body image and high self-esteem can provide us with the confidence and courage to reach our goals and make positive life choices.
* Mental Health: Poor body image and low self-esteem can lead to negative emotions, such as depression and anxiety. Negative self-talk can be extremely damaging to one’s mental health, and it is important to be aware of the role it plays in our overall well-being.
* Physical Health: Body image can also impact physical health. Poor body image can lead to unhealthy behaviors, such as illegal drug use, excessive exercising, and eating disorders. These behaviors can have a detrimental impact on physical health, and it is important to be aware of the risks associated with them.
* Emotional Health: Poor body image and low self-esteem can also have an impact on emotional health. Individuals may feel a lack of confidence and self-worth, which can create feelings of inadequacy and decrease overall happiness.
Tips For Improving Body Image & Self-Esteem
The following tips can help to improve body image and self-esteem:
* Recognize Unhelpful Thoughts: Take a moment to notice your negative self-talk and recognize it as unhelpful and untrue. Replace negative thoughts with more positive and supportive ones.
* Focus on the Positive: We all have unique strengths and capabilities. Focus on the parts of yourself that you like, appreciate, and can be proud of. Celebrating your own successes and accomplishments can help to improve self-esteem.
* Be Kind to Yourself: Treat yourself with the same kindness and respect that you would give to someone you care about. Speak to yourself the same way you would speak to an old friend.
* Surround Yourself with Positive People: Spend time with people who support you and make you feel good. Avoid negative people and situations that can have a negative impact on your self-esteem.
Next Steps & Resources
Continuing to work on improving body image and self-esteem can be an ongoing process. To further your understanding, here are some helpful resources:
* The Body Image Workbook By Thomas F. Cash: A comprehensive workbook to help individuals explore and improve their body image and self-esteem.
* The Self-Esteem Workbook By Glenn R. Schiraldi: A practical workbook to help individuals better understand themselves and develop a healthier self-image.
* NEDA’s Body Image Toolkit: A comprehensive toolkit from the National Eating Disorder Association to help individuals address and understand their body image and self-esteem.
* TED Talks: There are multiple TED talks on body image and self-esteem, with topics by experts and those who have experienced body image issues firsthand.
The best way to make progress on improving your body image and self-esteem is to start with small, achievable goals. Taking things step by step, and being positive and factual when assessing yourself can help to create a more positive and authentic body image.
