How to Talk to Someone About Body Image
Do you know someone who struggles with body image challenges? Discussing this topic can be hard – even if you can understand the struggles yourself. Below you’ll find some suggestions to navigate these conversations with care.
Don’t Be Scared to Talk About It
Normalizing the topic of body image struggles and often make it much easier for people to talk about – without feeling weird, judged, or misunderstood. By normalizing the topic, it creates a foundation for open and honest communication when the concerns might arise for your loved ones.
Empathetic Listening
When we hear someone talking negatively about themselves, it can be easy to remind them “you are beautiful the way you are” and remind them that their negative talk isn’t true. While this is important, it is also important to allow space for your loved ones to process what they are feeling – or even hearing/seeing in the media. This stance of non-judgmental listening will help to process these big emotions.
Focus on Strengths and Abilities
So often the media, family, and friends bring so much focus to the body and how it looks. This can result in self-worth being tied to a person’s body. Therefore, it is so important to acknowledge strengths, abilities, and other great qualities your loved one has and avoid commenting on a person’s body and appearance. Their ability to make you laugh, their generosity, and their various gifts are aspects worth highlighting for them.
Utilize Your Resources
Reach out to a counselor to help you work through your own issues with body image and understand where you struggle – working on your own body image can be a strong example for others – especially children. Offer to help your loved one find a counselor who can help to process their negative body image. Find uplifting and positive social media who teach body positivity and aren’t photoshopping photos that could be impacting others’ negatively. Find groups that can provide a community of individuals who understand what your loved one is going through.
Here at Atlanta Wellness Collective, we want to help. For support, contact us or request an appointment online.
This blog post was written by Hannah Jordan, MA, LAPC, NCC.
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to substitute professional therapeutic advice. Talk with your healthcare provider about your health concerns and before starting or stopping therapies. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct professional advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
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