Creating a positive body image starts with changing the way we think and feel about ourselves. Here are some things we can do to start:

• Learn to love your body and respect it for all it does. Our bodies are amazing things that do so much for us. Write a list of all the things you appreciate about your body.
• Do activities that you enjoy, that you are good at and make you feel good inside and out.
• Spend time with positive people who have a healthy body image and make you feel good about yourself as well.
• Say positive affirmations to yourself every day. This will help you to get in the habit of thinking positively about your body. For example, standing in front of the mirror every morning and telling yourself “I am pretty”, “I am strong”, “I am happy in my body”. Try it for a few weeks and see how your mindset changes when you train your mind to think positively.
• Learn to catch negative thoughts when they first creep up and replace them with positive ones.
• Be aware of the messages we receive from social media, magazines, society and culture about body image and try not to compare yourself with others.
• Appreciate qualities about yourself that have nothing to do with your appearance. Think about the values and characteristics you have that make you. You are much more than how you look.

How to support a friend:

• Tell them what you like and appreciate about them. Point out the positive and unique qualities they have and let them know them how important they are to you.
• Have fun together by doing activities you both enjoy.
• Encourage them to practice gratitude. You can start by telling them some things you are grateful for and sharing your gratitude practice with them.

Developing a positive body image is not a one-day event! It’s a complete change in the way we think and talk to ourselves. For some of us, this might be more challenging and harder to tackle alone. It can spiral and lead to anxiety, depression or eating disorders. It can also lead to something called body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), a condition where a person becomes so upset about the appearance of their body that it gets in the way of their ability to live normally. A person with BDD can become obsessed with any part of their body, but face, skin, hair, chest and stomach are the most common areas.

Overcoming a negative body image takes practice and learning to love yourself just the way you are. If you need some support along the way, reach out to someone you trust and who cares about you.