Many people feel anxious about the way they look but it’s important to remember that there isn’t a single type of beauty and it’s more than a physical attribute. There simply isn’t a right or a wrong way to look, but sometimes the world can make us feel like there is.
If you’re struggling, here are some things you can do.
- Don’t forget to care for yourself too. Try not to compare yourself to the many images you see online, which are often heavily filtered to present a ‘flawless’ appearance.
- Pay attention to the things you like about yourself, and the parts of your body that you like.
- Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself. It’s not just about how you look, remember, people value you for many reasons.
- Talk to people you trust; your parents, a family member, a friend or someone from YCs/YACs.
- Think about what advice you would give a friend if they told you they were struggling with the way they look, and remember that advice whenever you start to think negatively about your body.
If you feel unable to cope, or particularly worried about one part of your body, talk to your GP about how you’re feeling because body issues can have a direct impact on your mental health.
We Asked the Young People Service team members about their body hang ups, here’s what they said:
I hate my chin, always have done. It’s the first thing I see when I see a picture of me. I always say that if I won the lottery I would have surgery on my chin but I’m not sure I would actually go through with it! There are other things I don’t like but if I tell you you’ll notice them more!!!
I think I look like a horse, I know I do!
I always hate my extra tyres.
I don’t like my skin, I hate it. It’s not one colour and it’s not nice.
I was told that my nose is unbreakable because the bridge is so wide, I was then compared to a male actor… I’m female!
