Body image is an issue which plagues basically all of us at some point in our lives, but those teenage years can be the absolute worst. There’s puberty, high school and, heightened by the introduction of smart phones and ipads, access to the media 24/7. Having low self-confidence or being unhappy with your appearance is sadly something that most people go through at one time or another. When you’re a teenager, it can be especially bad. This is the most important time to adjust your perceptions of body image, as the beliefs you hold about yourself and the way you ‘should’ look as a teen can severely impact the way you think as an adult. We need to realise at an early age how important self-confidence is, and set a positive pattern for the rest of our journey.

Media Influence
The media plays a huge role in the way that young people think of the body. Despite significant increases in recent years, the majority of actors we see on our favourite television shows or featured in our favourite magazines are slim, tan and have perfect teeth. How can we not expect our idea of beauty to be influenced when we are constantly presented with a specific model of what ‘beauty’ is? This unrealistic model leaves no room for people with poor skin, curves, or other completely normal features that the media would have you think are abnormal. Being constantly faced by this perception at an age where you are just beginning to pay attention to appearance is harmful to our teenagers. It is easy for them to compare themselves to the figures they see in the media, or to people in real life who fit the model those figures present. This can result in low self-esteem, a lack of confidence, anxiety and even eating disorders.

Self-talk
The most important and effective way of improving body image is to do with you: self-talk. Compliments from other people are wonderful ways of boosting your self-esteem, but ultimately you need to be happy with yourself in order to feel truly great. The first step in this journey is to stop comparing yourself to others. The only thing that this achieves is making you feel bad about yourself. Next, you need to banish any “I’m too” sayings from your vocabulary. That means “I’m too fat,” “I’m too short,” “I’m too pale” – you get my point. Once you realise that we are all different and gorgeous just as we are, you will see that there can’t possibly be a “too.” You need to gain confidence from yourself by removing the negativity within your mind. It’s a difficult road, but an important one to follow. When you understand your worth, it will be much easier to stay positive and enhance your confidence.

Quick Tips for Improving Body Image
• Wear clothes you feel good in: you don’t need to follow the latest fashion trends to look good. As I always say, when you feel good you look great! Confidence from the inside shows on the outside.
• Write down some things you like about yourself: what are your favourite physical features and personal attributes? We’re all beautiful in our own way, and we’re also all awesome at many different things. What’s your forte?
• Have a role model: find someone that inspires you and makes you feel good about yourself. Maybe it’s an actor, an artist, a philosopher or a person in your local community.
• Appreciate your body’s abilities: remember that your body is so much more than just a physical embodiment of who you are. Your body is strong and capable of incredible things. Your body can run marathons, build towers, create new life and do many, many other amazing things.
• Surround yourself with positive people: don’t spend time around those who bring you down. It’s as simple as that!