Body image – Charlotte Lundqvist Photography

What are your thoughts on your body? Is the first thing that comes to mind that you like it? Or even love your body?

A poor body image can affect someone in many ways, like work performances, in relationships and even in your overall life. Many times people have specific parts of their bodies that they don’t like, it can be something “small”, like their lips or nose. Or it can be the legs, arms or tummy.

If you asked 100 people about what they don’t like about themselves, you would probably get a pretty long list.

I hope that will change in the future.

So why do so many people have an unhealthy body image?

If you want someone or something to blame for having a poor body image, you could blame it on the upbringing (maybe a family member said something about a specific body part, or that certain body parts should look a specific way) or maybe you would blame it on the media, which never seems to get enough of publishing how to get the “perfect” body.

Certain celebrities make a living advertising diet products, most of the times it is products they don’t even use themselves and sometimes those teas/shakes/whatever can actually be dangerous for your digestive system.

Anyway, the point is not to talk too much about the bad side of this subject. I want to give you ideas on how to get a better body image.

And who wouldn’t want to feel better about their body?

But before that, remember that there is no such thing as the “perfect” body. There have always been ideals, but those ideals have changed with time and will keep on changing.

Here are some ideas to have a healthier body image:

Remember what your body is able to do. Studying biology and all the functions of your body can help you see that. Every part of your body have an important job to do, and it’s working its ass off to stay alive and healthy. So look at your body like a friend that is keeping you alive instead of focusing on how it looks.

Give yourself compliments. Decide every day to look at yourself in the mirror and give yourself three compliments. And if you have had a bad day and think bad thoughts about your physical appearance, you have to apologize to yourself and give yourself compliments instead.

You probably wouldn’t say rude things about your friend’s appearance, so why do you do that to yourself? Stop it. Treat yourself the way you would your best friend.

Focus on being healthy. A healthy body is way more important than a good looking body. Please don’t change your body into something that it is not, just because society/celebrities/family members/friends thinks so. Cut those influences out of your life. I once knew a girl who were told from an early age how women were “supposed” to look like. She ended up doing operations to look that way and contemplated starting to wear corsets. I tried to talk her out of it, but I know that it can be very difficult to change your views if you have been subjected to something that much in your past.

Try to shift your mindset of the way your body looks to taking care of it instead. And by the way, if you’re healthy, you get kind of a glow, and that is gorgeous. And you will be happier. And happiness is awesome.

Do a social media detox. Remove/unfollow those bad influences who only post heavily edited images of themselves or “perfect” looking pictures. Instead, follow real people who are open and honest. We all know how easy it is to use filters. Stop doing it and stop trying to look like something that is not you. If you constantly try to change your looks because you don’t think your pretty/skinny/fit/whatever enough on social media, how are you supposed to feel good in real life?

Choose your inner circle wisely. Hang out with people who truly care about you and are in no way shaming you. Not they way you look, or what you do. Spend time with those who will lift you, bring you good energy and support you.

I’m absolutely not saying that this is easy, it takes a lot of work. But I believe that if we start to take care of ourselves and be kind to ourselves, no matter how we think we look or what we think we deserve, the future will be better. For all of us.

Do you have any suggestions on how to have a healthier body image? Please share in the comments! ❤

And if you are looking for my e-book How to Find Inspiration you can find it through the link here!

Have you noticed how we’re constantly reminded of our appearances? Friends are talking about what they’re dissatisfied with, some find it hard to accept compliments, media is consistently showing us how we should look by encouraging weight loss, workouts and the “right” way to look just – you guessed it – right. Often, these idealized images of beauty are making us feel inadequate since these standards are almost impossible to meet. I believe it’s more common among women than men, but this article is for everyone.

So what should we do when we’re being overwhelmed by this negative information?

The answer is self-compassion. We need to change the way we think about our bodies and ourselves. Instead of critiquing we need to change to appreciation and care.

These are a few ways self-compassion helps:

The media information are being put into perspective

This is one a the biggest sources of body-shaming. Not only the tips and ideas to become “perfect”, but also the stupid comments made by people sitting behind their screens, using their time to be mean to others. When looking at images of very fit people, try to remember how much time they’ve put into making their bodies look like that. But more importantly, remember how easy it is to manipulate images by making people look skinnier, more muscular or smoother. With the touch of a few buttons we’re now able to change our entire bodies before we post the photos. So don’t believe everything you see. And as a photographer, I can tell you that a lot of it has to do with shooting from the right angles. It can make a complete difference.

Self-compassion makes us aware of our physical state and appreciate our functions

If we only focus on what our bodies looks like, we miss appreciating how our bodies feel. That, in turn, leads us to not be aware of physical signs, like hunger, pleasure or pain. Not being self-compassionate makes us experience it from an outside perspective. Being self-compassionate will make you experience your body from the inside out – like you’re supposed to. Self-compassion has its roots in self-care and concern for our well-being, which makes us appreciate our bodies and motivate us to be kind to ourselves. This will also make us respect our bodies. And who wouldn’t want to feel like that?

Self-compassion will reduce self-punishment

If you aren’t self-compassionated you’re more likely to punish yourself for feeling undeserving. Like not eating the food you want because you didn’t get that workout done this morning.

You’ll se others as allies, not enemies

Self compassion will make you view others in a more humane way. You’ll realize that other people have their own struggles, and just because you believe someone is perfect it does not mean that they believe they are.

So just be kind to yourself, and others. It’s the nice thing to do.

Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/in-love-and-war/201703/5-ways-self-compassion-promotes-healthy-body-image