Studies show that our mental health and how we perceive our bodies are closely connected. Having a negative body image can lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. People feel more and more pressure to meet society’s beauty standards, especially with social media making it easy to compare ourselves to others. That’s why it’s really important to talk about how a poor body image can affect our mental health. It’s also important to think on how we, as wellness counsellors, can support clients who struggle with a negative body image within our scope of practice.

What is Body Image?
Body image is how someone sees, thinks about, and feels about their own body, including beliefs about how others perceive them. These concerns often stem from societal pressures, varying across cultures, and are linked to both mental and physical health issues.

Causes of Body Dissatisfaction

Negative body image can arise from personal experiences, societal beauty standards, and psychological factors. Western cultures often idealise thinness and muscularity, but these standards change with cultural context. Unrealistic standards can lead to eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia in teenagers. Bullying, teasing, low self-esteem, and perfectionism also contribute to body image concerns. Westernisation, urbanisation, and fast economic growth increase body image concerns due to media and advertising pressures, as well as competition for social status.

Role of A Wellness Counsellor
As wellness counsellors, we need to practise within our scope. However, this fact doesn’t mean that we cannot assist clients to improve their wellbeing. Wellness counsellors can support clients by creating a safe space for open discussion without judgement. This safe space helps clients feel valued, which is essential for healing and promoting self-compassion. We can assist clients in slowly shifting their focus to health over appearance. Building a strong client relationship is crucial. It is important to normalise their feelings and to meet clients where they are. Implementing mindfulness practices can also help clients to stay present and connected to their bodies in a non-judgemental way. As wellness counsellors, we can help the client to identify and connect with their deeply held values that can help to create a more meaningful life. We can make use of structured questions to help clients explore their thoughts and feelings about their bodies to uncover underlying issues. This could be the starting point of deeper conversations about self-esteem and mental wellness. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, with the aim to identify and challenge negative thought patterns related to body image, may also be helpful to foster an understanding of how our thoughts influence our emotions, which in turn influence our behaviours. Psycho-education about healthy body image can be helpful to clients. We can help clients to recognise unrealistic beauty standards set by society and social media, which can help them to be less self-critical. We can help clients to understand that their body dissatisfaction doesn’t reflect their true worth. As counsellors, we can promote self-compassion and acceptance, which could assist in preventing serious issues like eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. Psychoeducation can be a tool to empower clients to focus on their overall health and well-being. A strong support network is vital. It’s essential to check if clients have one or help them build one through support groups, reaching out to loved ones, or engaging in community activities. It may be necessary to refer the client to other professionals such as psychologists, psychiatrists, or nutritionists for additional support. Proper referral ensures that clients get the best help possible.

Practical Tips for Readers:
– Limit exposure to negative media influences.
– Practice self-care and mindfulness.
– Seek support from friends, family, or professionals.
– Focus on health rather than appearance.

– Focus on your strengths. Write down or think about things you like about yourself that have nothing to do with your appearance.
– Acknowledge and celebrate personal achievements, no matter how small!

– Reality check: remind yourself that what you see in the media is often edited and not a true reflection of reality.
– Practice self-compassion and treat yourself with the kindness you would offer a friend.

– Find hobbies and activities that make you feel good about yourself.
– Engage in physical activities that you enjoy and that make you feel good, not just those aimed at changing your body.

Conclusion
Body dissatisfaction is a pervasive issue that affects individuals’ mental and physical well-being across the globe. As wellness counsellors, it is crucial to create a safe and supportive environment for clients to openly discuss their body image concerns. By encouraging self-compassion, fostering a positive self-image, and educating clients about a healthy body image, we can help them build resilience and improve their overall well-being. Additionally, promoting a strong support network and focusing on holistic health rather than appearance can empower clients to lead healthier and happier lives.

Author: Nicole Jacobs

References

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