Boosting Self-Esteem When You’re Struggling with Body Image

Lately, your self-esteem feels like you’re flipping a coin. Heads are your good days, and tails seem to be your bad days. You never quite know which side of the coin you will get on any given day. Some days, you feel like your absolute best. Other days, you feel like you could stand in the mirror and pick yourself apart from head to toe.

You prefer your good days. Who wouldn’t? Unfortunately, lately, it’s been feeling like you’re having bad body image days more often than not. As if that isn’t difficult enough, you want more than anything to have some type of control over this situation. You’re trying to change yourself in order to have better days, maybe restricting food, or increasing exercise in a way that feels unhealthy to try to become smaller. But you find yourself actually feeling more dissatisfied and stuck in a pattern of thinking about food constantly. Deep down you know that isn’t the answer to solve these problems.

Here are ways to boost self-esteem, especially for someone who deals with disordered eating or poor body image.

Be Kind to Yourself

Consider what you would say to a friend if they were struggling like you are. You would probably tell them to be kind to themselves. Treat yourself with the same amount of respect and kindness. You deserve it just as much as your friends and loved ones do. Being kind to yourself may be easier said than done, especially if you’re new to it. Start small by thinking or writing down three things you like about yourself. Practice can make this thought pattern come a little easier. The more you show up for yourself, the easier it will be to do so in the future.

Take Care of Yourself

What if you were to treat your body as well as you would treat a beloved pet? As well as you treat your kids’ bodies? It’s a no brainer to know that our pets and kids need regular food, sleep, time outside and relaxation, but do we give that to ourselves? Take care of yourself by making sure you have enough fuel, rest, and recovery. Take care of yourself by eating enough throughout your day, drinking enough water, and aiming for at least eight hours of sleep each night. Taking care of yourself can make you feel better from the inside out and actually improve your self esteem.

Don’t Play the Comparison Game

In today’s world, comparing yourself to others can be so easy. Not only are you playing the comparison game with your family and friends, but you’re also doing it with celebrities, advertisements, and social media. In the digital world, it can be so easy to fixate on perfectly curated photos. In reality, you’re looking at someone’s highlight reel. You are your own unique person, and no one is perfect. Focus on your successes rather than feeling like you need to compete with others for satisfaction.

Lean On Your Loved Ones

If you’re feeling down on yourself, lean on the people in your life who will be there for you and lift you up. If there are people in your life make you feel bad about yourself, consider setting boundaries or cutting them from your life. No one in your life should make you feel bad about yourself. Surround yourself with the people in your life who make you feel good. You would be there for your friends and family no matter what. Allow your loved ones to do the same and show up for you however you may need them.

Seek Additional Support

If you’re struggling with your self-esteem, you’re not alone. While ups and downs with self-esteem may be common, struggling with body image to the point of disordered eating shouldn’t be something that you have to deal with day in and day out. Help is available to you. Working with a trained mental health professional or intuitive eating counselor may be exactly what you need to get to the root cause and figure out ways to increase your self-esteem again. Reach out today to set up an initial consultation for body image or disordered eating therapy.