Have you ever scrolled through your social media, noticing just how perfect everyone looks? If yes, you are not alone. With the rapid rise of social media, many women find themselves constantly comparing how their bodies look against the carefully curated images of social media. This not only leaves them feeling dissatisfied with their bodies but also leads to issues such as low self-esteem, which can further lead to deeper issues such as eating disorders, anxiety and depression.
If you know someone—a friend, sister, or partner—who struggles with body image issues, your support and encouragement can make a big difference. Let’s look at how you can support them in meaningful ways:
-
Ask Them About Their Triggers
The first step to offering considerate support is knowing what triggers the body image issues. Maybe it’s coming from some comments, some social media pages or some clothing sizes. Gently asking what triggers her negative feelings about her body can allow deeper conversations while ensuring that you don’t unintentionally hurt them in any way.
-
Create A Safe Space
Once you understand her triggers, the next step is allowing her to express her thoughts and emotions about herself and her body. Let her know that you are willing to listen and offer support without unnecessary advice or judgment. This can create safety and comfort, which she may not be getting otherwise.
-
Be Careful With Comparisons
Since comparisons are a major part of body image issues, likely that your friend, wife, or sister is already comparing herself to others. So, ensure that you don’t unintentionally fall into the comparison trap, even with good intentions. Instead, focus on helping her look at herself beyond her physical appearance.
-
Offer Genuine Compliments
This pretty much goes together with avoiding comparisons. Avoid giving compliments on her physical appearance. Instead, focus on her qualities as a person. Make sure your compliments are based on something personal, unique, and meaningful and not generic. Genuine compliments can build self-esteem.
-
Gently Challenge Negative Self-Perceptions
People with body image issues may sometimes be overly critical of their looks. At such times, gently challenging their negative thoughts might help them gain a different perspective. For instance, ask questions like, “What makes you believe that?” or “Do you think you’d say the same thing to a friend?” to lead her towards kinder self-talk.
-
Encourage Self-Care
Self-care can seem overwhelming when you struggle to accept your body. However, it is important to remind the girl that self-care doesn’t just involve caring for the body but also engaging in activities that lift her mood, such as hobbies, good sleep, and mindfulness. This can help her build confidence from within.
-
Address Underlying Emotions
Many times, low self-esteem related to the body can stem from underlying emotional issues like anxiety, past trauma, or societal pressure. Encourage your loved one to reflect on what the reason behind self-doubt is. Once the actual cause is identified, she can find it easier to heal.
-
Create A Supportive Environment
Consistent encouragement from supportive friends and family members can be effective in building a positive self-image for someone with body image issues. Also, encourage her to unfollow any social media accounts that promote unrealistic body standards. This will be crucial to feeling confident.
-
Suggest Professional Help
While support from friends, family, and peers can be helpful, sometimes a person may need additional support from a trained therapist, especially if the body image issues are deeply rooted. A therapist can not only create a safe environment but also provide tools and insights to help her build a healthier relationship with her body and self-image. Suggest seeking therapy as a sign of courage, not weakness
Conclusion:
It is tough to watch a girl struggle with body-related self-esteem issues. However, you can always support them by creating a safe space for her emotions, gently encouraging them to build a positive self-image, and reminding them of their worth beyond physical appearance. Remember, the goal is not to ‘fix’ her issues but to provide consistent and unconditional support to help her reach self-acceptance.
References:
- How to Help Someone with Body Image Issues. (2010, September 13). Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/health/ways-to-help-others-improve-their-body-image
- Mitchell, M. (2019, March 25). Eight Things You Can Do To Help Your Daughter Love Her Body. Michelle Mitchell. https://michellemitchell.org/body-image-concerns-how-to-help-your-daughter-love-her-body/
- Staff, E. D. H. (2023, January 30). How to Encourage a Partner Who Struggles With Poor Body Image. Eating Disorder Hope. https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/encourage-partner-poor-body-image
