Overcoming Body Image Issues That Women Face in Society Today

Girls often become self-conscious about their bodies, much younger than we expect. It seems most notable in the tween (preteen) and teen years, but children as young as nine can feel unhappy with their bodies.

Unfortunately, this negative body image may carry over into adulthood as women begin to believe the “stories” they heard either from other people or from their own thoughts. These stories then become beliefs that ingrain themselves into the woman’s conscious mind.

How can a woman reverse her poor body image, rebuild her self-worth, and reinforce the belief that what God created is good (including her!)?

What causes women to have a negative body image?

As little children, we do not readily notice our bodies or compare them to others. We simply are, going about our days as children do. But at some point, whether from bullying, verbal abuse, physical abuse, or through comparison, we begin to develop an image of how we should look and where our flaws lie.

Most body image issues stem from appearance, beauty, weight, or size. Women with a negative body image will often obsess over their appearance, try to manipulate their clothing size to fit into a smaller size, or go to extremes to control their weight. None of this is healthy, but somehow it can become a norm in a woman’s life. It lowers our self-worth and self-confidence and makes us forget how unique and precious we are in God’s sight.

How to Have a Healthy Body Image

Moving past ingrained beliefs is difficult but certainly not impossible. Even if you have minor flaws (as everyone does), you can learn to embrace those and work on making your body and your mind the healthiest that it has ever been. Below is a list of ways to take these steps.

Learn how to eat healthy foods Most body image issues stem from weight and size. Whether underweight or overweight, learning to feed your body nutritious foods is the first step to feeling better.

It is unhealthy to cut out a food group entirely, so check with a nutritionist about the best plan for you. Ditch the diet mentality. Your “diet” should consist of food you can eat for the rest of your life, making you feel good about yourself.

Balance eating right with moderate exercise When you eat healthy foods, you provide your body with the energy it needs to fuel your day. Exercise is another element you can add for more energy, reduced body fat, stronger muscles, and a toned and flexible body.

Exercise does not have to be extreme or completely strenuous. You can incorporate healthy exercise habits by simply walking for 15-30 minutes every day. As you get more comfortable and exercising becomes easier, you can slowly increase the amount of time you walk a day, or by setting a specific step goal.

Exercise is not something that should be abused, however. If you are punishing yourself with exercise after eating a meal or after a binge, it is important to seek help from a professional counselor. Exercise keeps your body active and ready for anything. It should be enjoyable and only another tool in your healthy body image toolbox.

Know that what you think and believe is your reality Your negative thoughts become your reality. They can change your mood, and when your spirit is downcast, your behavior changes. Thoughts such as: “No one likes me. They always look at me funny. I’m fat. I’m not pretty” can lead you to go through your day sad and depressed.

Remember that the power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21); therefore, use your words to uplift yourself. You can declare the following scriptures over yourself: “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14). “I am God’s masterpiece” (Ephesians 2:10). “I am more precious than rubies” (Proverbs 3:15).

Negative emotions can lead you to make unwise decisions, such as overeating, bingeing, starving yourself, over-exercising, or isolating yourself from your friends and family. If you have difficulty shifting your perspective to positive thoughts, reach out to us today. We have helped countless women face the negative thoughts behind their body image issues.

Censor your social media Comparison is the thief of joy. Scrolling on social media can leave you wanting as you compare your body (and your life) with other women. We see what we believe to be society’s standards in weight, size, and beauty, and we use this as a measuring stick of sorts.

It is hard to remember that God is not interested in the measuring sticks of social media. Take inventory of who you follow on social media and what posts and reels you watch. Do not get sidetracked by society’s expectations. You already have God’s approval, and that’s all you need.

Accept that you are made in God’s image “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground” (Genesis 1:26).

It is easy to forget that we are made in God’s image. He created us, and unlike the animals and the fish, He breathed life into us. God saw that His creation was good. When we give in to society’s standard of beauty, then we dismiss what God Himself considers the standard. Remember that God created you in His image.

Mental Health Disorders Related to Poor Body Image

When poor body image roots itself in your mind, it can lead to mental health problems. The beliefs we hold dear are not always true. They can be lies that we have told ourselves for years or that someone else has said to us. When we become obsessed with these beliefs, our perceptions become distorted. We can no longer see what is a lie and what is reality.

The following is a list of common mental health disorders that we see that are related to negative body image:

Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) BDD is a mental condition where the person obsesses over a perceived or imagined flaw. This obsession may interfere with their daily life to the point where they isolate themselves and avoid photos and social situations. They may work tirelessly on their appearance, such as exercising, dieting, or undergoing cosmetic procedures.

Eating Disorders To fit society’s mold for weight and size, sometimes women begin to control the amount of food they eat and the timing of their meals. Unfortunately, women with body image issues will start to starve themselves or purge food from their bodies to prevent weight gain or maintain their current size.

This behavior leads to eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia.

Depression When faced with a negative body image and long-standing beliefs based on lies or abuse, women can develop depression. Signs of depression include persistent sadness, unintentional rapid weight gain or loss, sleeping too much or suffering from insomnia, and losing interest in what they once enjoyed. Severe depression can last months and lead to suicidal thoughts. If you think you are depressed or having suicidal thoughts, reach out for help today.

Social Anxiety When we do not feel good about ourselves, we hide. We isolate ourselves from people who love us and especially from social events. Poor body image results in low self-esteem. Eventually, when we must go outside the house, we can begin to feel panicky. Social anxiety is a disorder with symptoms of feeling anxious with the thought of going somewhere in public, rapid heart rate, dizziness, sweating, chest tightness, and panic attacks.

If any of this sounds familiar or if you have been recently diagnosed with a mental health disorder related to body image issues, contact us today for support.

When Body Image Issues are Too Much

A negative body image can lead to mental health disorders if left unchecked. If you suspect that you or a loved one is suffering from poor body image, body dysmorphic disorder, an eating disorder, or anxiety and depression, reach out to one of our Christian counselors today.

We would love to work with you to rediscover the body and mindset God created in you. The Lord said, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born, I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

God has a purpose for you. Do not allow body image issues to hold you back any longer. Give us a call today.