What Is Body Image?

Whether we’re scrolling through social media, getting dressed, or just catching a glimpse of ourselves in a mirror, chances are we all have had some kind of thought or feeling about our body. Maybe confident, maybe critical, maybe both in the same hour. That’s where the concept of body image comes in.

Let’s explore what body image really means, how it develops, and why it matters for mental and emotional wellbeing.

What Is Body Image?

Body image is the way we see, think about, and feel about our body.

This includes:

• Our mental picture of our body

• The thoughts and beliefs we hold about our size, shape, and appearance

• Emotional response like pride, shame, anxiety, or comfort

• Our connection to our body’s physical experiences

Neuroscience research shows that body image is tied to a region of the brain called the parietal cortex, which helps us build a mental map of our body. But that map isn’t always accurate. Stress, trauma, or eating disorders can distort it so that what we see or feel about our body may not reflect what’s objectively there.

Why Does Body Image Matter?

Body image goes beyond appearance. It has ripple effects on our health, identity, and relationships.

Body image can impact:

• Self-esteem and identity development

• Mental health, with a link to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and social isolation

• Health behaviors including how we eat, move, and care for our body

• Risk for disordered eating, especially if we're constantly trying to “fix” how we look

A 2022 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that body dissatisfaction in teens is a strong predictor of disordered eating, low self-worth, and even future depressive symptoms. That’s worth paying attention to.

What Influences Our Body Image?

Body image is shaped over time by many experiences, relationships, and cultural messages.

Some of the biggest influences include:

• Family attitudes about weight and appearance

• Media - for example photo filters, body stereotypes, and headlines focused on diets

• Cultural ideals and beauty standards which often center on thinness and other narrow ideals

• Peer comments or teasing

• Genetics and temperament (some people are naturally more self-critical or sensitive)

Here's sometihng to note:

Studies show that even a brief exposure to idealized images, like a scroll through Instagram, can negatively impact body image, especially in people already feeling vulnerable.

Our brain is wired to compare and evaluate. But once we notice that, we can start interrupting the cycle.

What Is Positive Body Image?

Positive body image isn’t about loving every photo of ourselves or always feeling confident. It’s more about our relationship with our body.

A positive relationship with our body involves a sense of body appreciation (valuing what your body does, not just how it looks), feeling connected to your body and treating it with care, and recognizing that our worth goes beyond our appearance.

According to research from the Body Image Center at the University of South Australia, people with positive body image are more likely to engage in healthy behaviors, feel socially connected, and be resilient to body-shaming messages.

What About Negative Body Image?

Negative body image can show up as:

• Feeling uncomfortable or disconnected from our body

• Criticizing our appearance regularly

• Avoiding mirrors, photos, or social situations

• Believing our body must change before we can be accepted or happy

  
  

And this isn’t just a confidence issue. It can be deeply distressing and linked to perfectionism, low self-worth, and even trauma.

Cognitive distortions (like all-or-nothing thinking or mind reading) can fuel negative body image. These thought patterns often show up alongside anxiety and other mental health challenges.

Body Image Is Complex - You’re Not Alone

Body image is personal, emotional, and influenced by so many factors we don't choose. If it feels like a struggle, that doesn’t mean we are shallow, or have somewhow failed. It means we're human, navigating a culture that places an overwhelming amount of value on appearance.

Working toward a more peaceful relationship with your body will look however it needs to. It doesn’t have to mean loving every part of yourself. It might look like neutrality. It might look like respect. Some days, it may simply be choosing curiosity over criticism.

Whatever it looks like, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. Get in touch to explore what healing your relationship with your body could look like.

---

Note: Content shared in this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute as a substitute for professional medical advice.