How to Combat Body Shaming and Engage in Body Celebrating

Thrive • Oct 13, 2021

By Thrive Reno Therapist Katy Sutton, CPC-Intern

WHAT IS BODY SHAMING?

Body shaming is the act of criticizing or mocking yourself or others based on appearance.

When body shaming is directed internally, it often consists of comparing yourself to another person. Saying or thinking, “My thighs are so big compared to hers,” is an example of internal body shaming.

Body shaming also manifests as criticizing someone else’s appearance. Telling someone, “People your size shouldn’t wear tight-fitting clothes,” or saying to a friend, “Did you see that guy’s nose? He looks ridiculous!” are examples of outwardly directed body shaming.

UNKNOWING PARTICIPANTS

Unfortunately, body shaming plagues society and it can be all too easy to become caught up in the act.

Discover the ways that people unconsciously engage in body shaming below:

Praising someone’s weight loss
Criticizing someone’s food or movement choices
Engaging in pro-diet talk
Giving unwanted food or movement advice
Using the word “fat” negatively
Encouraging participation in fashion “rules” instead of supporting the idea of choosing flattering clothing

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DANGERS OF BODY SHAMING

When someone experiences body shaming, they often become preoccupied with their body shape and weight. They may also become dissatisfied with their body, which seems to be a very prevalent feeling. According to a Verywell Mind article by Lauren Muhlheim, PsyD, CEDS and medically reviewed by Rachel Goldman, Ph.D., FTOS, 50 percent of preadolescent girls and 30 percent of preadolescent boys dislike their bodies, while 60 percent of adult women and 40 percent of adult men possess a negative body image.

The psychological and emotional effects of body shaming include:

Depression
Anxiety
Eating disorders
Self-harm behavior
Reduced self-esteem
Increased stress hormone levels from the hyper fixation on one’s appearance
Relationship struggles caused by constant self-comparison to others

BODY SHAMING AND EATING DISORDERS

Body shaming and eating disorders are closely linked. Victims of body shaming may feel compelled to engage in dieting, excessive exercise, disordered eating, and other behaviors to change their appearance. According to the National Eating Disorders Association , about 65 percent of people with eating disorders experienced bullying that contributed to the development of their eating disorders.

In many cases, individuals who develop eating disorders draw their sense of self-worth from their appearance. Frequently, these people are driven by the false beliefs that weight loss will lead to social acceptance, increased self-esteem, and protection from criticism.

COPING WITH BODY SHAMING AND ENGAGING IN BODY POSITIVITY

To cope with the mental-emotional pain brought on by body shaming and related bullying, you can honor your body and engage in self-kindness in the following ways:

Reflect on the aspects of your body that you are thankful for.
Acknowledge all the amazing things that your body does for you. Your body is powerful regardless of its shape or size.
Clean up your social media by unfollowing anyone or any organization that makes you feel bad about yourself. Curate a social media space that promotes body positivity and self-love.
Set boundaries with people who participate in body shaming.
Refrain from negative self-talk and internal body shaming.
Place words of affirmation in areas where internal body shaming has commonly occurred in the past.
Compliment others for what they contribute to this world, like their laughter or empathy, rather than solely giving appearance-based flattery.
Throw away your scale. Physical and mental health encompass so much more than weight.
Wear clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident.
Believe that your existence is so much more than your appearance. You are beautiful just the way you are!

SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF BODY SHAMING

A therapist can provide professional, unbiased counsel to navigate and heal from the effects of body shaming. Thrive offers outpatient therapy as well as eating disorder treatment programs to help heal your relationship with food and your body. Reach out to us to learn more about how you can thrive just the way you are.

About the Author

Katy Sutton, CPC-Intern — Therapist

Katy Sutton, CPC-Intern, earned her bachelor’s in psychology from North Carolina State University and her master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University. Her clinical techniques are grounded in cognitive-behavioral modalities and incorporate elements from the feminist theoretical approach. Her clinical experience has ranged from working with teens to older adults on issues including eating and feeding disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders including body dysmorphia, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, and depression. Katy strives to promote healing through empowerment and advocating for self-worth. She has a passion for working with the LGBTQIA+ community and those struggling with societal pressures to conform to gendered expectations. She believes in creating a relaxed and natural therapeutic relationship full of compassion and humor. Katy describes herself as a body-positive activist and a mindful movement enthusiast. Her free time is spent hiking with her dog Daisy, traveling, and watching “Parks and Recreation” on repeat.

The post How to Combat Body Shaming and Engage in Body Celebrating first appeared on Thrive Wellness.

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Clean House, Healthy Mind: Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health

By Sage Tippie • 23 Apr, 2024

Spring Cleaning Benefits for Mental Health Spring is a time of new beginnings, change, and transitions, including in our homes. With the warmer weather kicking motivation into high gear, Spring can be a prime time to do a deep clean. Not only is a clean space aesthetically pleasing to the eyes, but it can also help to improve your mental health. Learn about how tidying up your space can also tidy up your thoughts below along with tips for cleaning when you’re struggling with your mental health. 4 Reasons Why Cleaning is Beneficial to Mental health 1.Decreased Stress Not only does an uncluttered space provide a sense of calm, but the physical act of cleaning can release feel-good endorphins, reducing feelings of stress and anxiety. As you cross tasks off your checklist, your body also releases Dopamine. Also known as the “happy hormone”, Dopamine provides a sense of accomplishment and pride that can promote motivation in other areas of our lives. 2. Improved Focus Studies have shown that an uncluttered space can also lead to an uncluttered mind. Your focus can be drawn away from important tasks by a chaotic, messy space. Research has also shown a connection between procrastination and clutter, as an unwillingness to tackle larger chores like cleaning can translate over into various areas of our lives. By keeping your space tidy, it can inspire you to stay on top of other major tasks like work and school assignments. 3. Regulated Emotions According to this 2015 study , cleaning can function as a practice in mindfulness, providing an increased sense of calm and inspiration. Slowing down while cleaning gives you room to relax and free your mind of burdens, stressors, and irritants that can affect your mental health. Cleaning can even be considered a practice of self-care as the action helps you to connect with yourself and the outcome allows you to better enjoy your own space. 4. Sense of Order and Control When experiencing mental health struggles, people may feel a lack of control over their lives and emotions. Cleaning even small areas of the home can provide an increased sense of order and control as you cross tasks off your to-do list. Through realizing your own power by simply completing minor tasks like cleaning, it can reaffirm your ability to do more. 10 Tips for Cleaning When Struggling with Mental Health Mental health struggles and disorders commonly create barriers to one’s ability to clean and properly practice personal hygiene. Although these behaviors are normal side effects of mental health disorders, we want to work to aid our clients in cleaning to the best of their ability even in difficult times. Below, Thrive Wellness occupational therapist Meadow Deason shares some helpful tips she gives to clients when they struggle with cleaning due to mental health conditions: 1.Ask For Help Having support to clean can make a huge difference. Do the cleaning with the person helping you and have them hold you accountable. 2. Don't Wait for Motivation Motivation might not come before action, but it can build as you begin to see the results of your efforts. 3. Start Small Start with one area or one task and go from there. For example, concentrate on your bedroom first and then move on to the living room and bathroom. 4. Do Something Daily Even if you do only one small cleaning task a day, doing that one task creates momentum and prevents small tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. 5. Use Sensory Modulation Change your environment by playing music, adjusting the lighting, or using aromatherapy. This can help to put you in a new headspace for cleaning. 6. Start with "High Impact" Tasks Start with more intensive or all-over cleaning tasks such as picking up clutter or doing the dishes. The visual "noise" of some tasks makes a large impact on the entire space, building motivation to continue cleaning. 7. Make a To-Do List Write a detailed to-do list of tasks and cross them off as you go. Physically marking down what you’ve accomplished can promote increased motivation. 8. Reward Yourself Set up a reward system where you reward yourself with a favorite activity or item when you complete a task as an incentive to clean. 9. Use the Rocket Method Don't think about it, just choose a task, countdown from five or ten and then start. This can help you to avoid potential anxiety and dread that can prevent you from cleaning. 10. Gamify Tasks Make up a game for your tasks or time yourself to promote increased engagement in cleaning. Your ability to complete tasks can be affected by a multitude of different factors and conditions including OCD , anxiety, depression , ADHD , and more. If you are struggling with motivation due to your mental health, help is here at Thrive Wellness.

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