Don’t Look Now .. It is Bathing Suit Season

Bathing Suit Season … words that bring fear to the minds of many of us.   A recent cartoon read, “Both Sports Illustrated and I have a bathing suit issue.”  Does the thought of summer clothing bring up body image issues for you?

What does body image mean?  Your own view of your body, the picture you see of yourself is your body image.  This includes not only the picture you see but also how you feel, how you think about yourself, and your perception of what others think about you.  Your body image grows out of what you hear from society, social media, and your peers.

Your body image can be either a healthy or an unhealthy image.  You have a healthy body image if you are comfortable in your own skin and are generally happy with the way you look.  Your body image is unhealthy if you see only negatives when looking in the mirror; you are too small, too big, your hair is too thin, too thick, too curly, too straight and on and on.  An unhealthy body image makes you think that what you see on the outside defines you and sets your overall worth.

Our social and mass media presents an impossible image of “normal.”  The models in the Sports Illustrated Swim Suit Edition are not the image of average American.  Trying to use these pictures as the yardstick for our body image can create a road map for very unhealthy actions.

It is very informative to look at the “ideal body shape” from an historical point of view.  The Ancient Egyptians depicted an ideal body type with very narrow shoulders and waist.  During the Italian Renaissance, the artists pictured beauty as having a round stomach and fair skin.  In Ireland in the 1840’s, the ideal body shape was fat.  During the Irish Potato Famine, being very plumb showed the world that your family was wealthy enough to afford excess food.  Today, we picture beauty as a slim, tall, toned look.

Feeling good about how we look influences how we think about all aspects of our lives.  Our body image affects our self-esteem and self-confidence, either positively or negatively.  Having a healthy body image will help you feel more comfortable in your own skin and more confident with your body.  Here are some ways to help you feel comfortable about your body.

Respect your body; see yourself as God sees you.  Say to yourself often; “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”  Psalm 139:14

Surround yourself with people who are supportive, affirming, and accepting. Pay attention to how you feel about yourself after spending time with your friends.  You should feel accepted after spending time with supportive friends.  If not, find new friends.

Avoid negative talk.  Walk away from a conversation that emphasizes how you or others look.  Your conversations should be about all the amazing things you can do and activities that interest you.  Be aware of the messages you get from the media. Turn off the television when programs air that support unhealthy body images.  Avoid the messages and media images that perpetuate unattainable standards.

Be compassionate to yourself and others.  Treating yourself kindly generates compassion and this compassion fuels more kind self-care.  Some great ways to be kind to yourself and your body are: pledging not to diet instead focusing on eating when you’re hungry and stopping when you’re full, finding a form of exercise that is fun and empowering, and listening to your body.

Design your own style.  Decide what makes you feel comfortable, wear what is right for you.  A good personal style will outlast current fashion trends.

Have you spent most of your life putting yourself down, finding all your faults and now you find changing this habit all but impossible?  Now is the time to find someone to help.  Don’t be afraid to reach out to a supportive family member, friend, teacher or counselor. Learn to enjoy bathing suit season; life is too short to do otherwise.

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7

Cheryl Gowin, and Dennis Gowin, Hope for Tomorrow Counseling Center.  Contact us with your feedback, comments, issues, or questions at 434-808-2637.