As many as six million people around the world may have what’s called BDD: body dysmorphic disorder. A person may be so preoccupied with perceived flaws in their appearance that it becomes an obsession and interferes with their daily lives. Even if your body image isn’t that bad, it may not be that good, either. Experts believe that up to eighty percent of all women are unhappy with their appearance in some way!
Ready for a self image boost?
- Stop making up critical thoughts for other people. That lady you saw in the food store who looked at you and looked away? She wasn’t thinking that you’re ugly. She wasn’t thinking that you’re poorly dressed. She wasn’t thinking that you have bad hair or a pointy nose or too many freckles. You don’t know what she was thinking. Let it go!
- Accept that you will never ever be perfect. How you look isn’t an all or nothing thing — you’re not either perfect or hideous. Some days your hair will behave, your makeup will be perfect, and you’ll feel good. Some days your hair will be frizzy or your eyeliner crooked — no one is judging you for this. Stop judging yourself!
- Change negative thoughts into positive ones. If you catch yourself thinking something bad about yourself, quickly take it back and say something else. Instead of saying “my chewed fingernails are so ugly” remind yourself that you’re trying to stop and that they’ll soon be long enough for nail polish.
- Don’t predict the future if you’re only seeing doom and gloom. “I’m going to have a bad time at this party because I’m ugly and no one will talk to me.” Instead, imagine yourself chatting away with a friendly group of people with common interests. Don’t underestimate the power of visualization! Imaging situations before they happen can help you bring your good thoughts to life.
- Give yourself a reality check. Are you REALLY being treated differently because of your appearance, or is there something else at play?
- Try another perspective. Would you talk to a family member or friend the way you talk to yourself? Would you let your sister skip a holiday party because her hair wasn’t right? Would you tell your son to not apply for a summer job because his nose is too big? Of course not. So why would you tell yourself those things?