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The Connection Between Body Image & Self-Esteem

7/15/2018

26 Comments

 
The way we feel about ourselves is known as self-esteem, and in this article we will explore how the way we feel about ourselves, including our body-image, can greatly impact on our emotional well-being and can have devastating mental health consequences. #bodyimage #selfesteem #mentalhealth
​|How would you describe yourself and how you feel about yourself to someone you just met? Think about it for a moment.. what are the words or qualities about yourself that you would share with this person?
Now consider this.. are the words that you would use to describe who you are to someone else the same words you use to describe yourself and how you feel about yourself in your own head? Or are they different? Are these words positive, or negative?

Often times, the way we present ourselves to others, and the way we feel about ourselves inside, are two vastly different things. We can be self-critical, have high, often insurmountable expectations of ourselves, and even dislike or hate ourselves at times.

The way we feel about ourselves is known as self-esteem, and in this article we will explore how the way we feel about ourselves, including our body-image, can greatly impact on our emotional well-being and, left unchecked, can have devastating mental health consequences.

Bookmark the other articles in this series:
  • What is Disordered Eating?
  • 3 Types of Eating Disorders
  • What You Need to Know About Youth & Eating Disorders
  • Eating Disorders: Treatment, Support & Recovery
​Please note: The information in this article is not medical advice. If you are concerned about your health and well-being, or you are concerned you may have an eating disorder or if you or someone else is in an immediate crisis situation, reach out to a health professional, crisis line, or your nearest emergency service for more support.

The way we feel about ourselves is known as self-esteem, and in this article we will explore how the way we feel about ourselves, including our body-image, can greatly impact on our emotional well-being and can have devastating mental health consequences. #bodyimage #selfesteem #mentalhealth

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Body Image

Body image can be described as the way you think and feel about your physical appearance, as well as the perceived judgement you feel from how you imagine others think about your outward appearance.

Impacts of Negative Body Image

An individual who has a negative view of their own physical appearance, whether it be about their weight, body shape, or any other external physical markers may start to feel bad about themselves on the inside.

This negativity can also be enhanced by the pressures of society to look a certain way, perpetuated by the media, fashion industry, or even by peer groups or family members. This negative perception of the self can lead to having self-esteem issues which we will explore next.

Self-Esteem

​Self-esteem "relates to how much you like yourself, and how you recognize or appreciate your individual character, qualities, skills, and accomplishments". In essence, self-esteem is the value we place on ourselves and can be seen on a spectrum of healthy or high self-esteem to unhealthy or low self-esteem.

Having healthy or high self-esteem can include having positive thoughts and yourself, looking forward to the future, feeling a sense of self-worth and being able to trust others and build healthy relationships.

Unhealthy or low self-esteem can include constant self-criticism about your abilities leading to mental health concerns such as overwhelming feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety or even anger.

Quiz | Take the Self-Esteem Self-Administered Test

Impacts of Low Self-Esteem

The impacts of low self-esteem can be plentiful on a persons life and can include:
​
  • a sense of fear of trying new things or going through life changes
  • ​difficulty building or maintaining relationships or trusting people
  • being fearful of judgement from others leading to a lack of involvement in activities such as sports or social events
  • struggling to cope with life in general or when challenges happen
  • development of mental health concerns including anxiety & depression
  • higher risk of self-harming behaviours, disordered eating concerns, suicidal ideation or addiction issues

Self-Check | Eating and Body Image Self-Check

Who is Most at Risk?

Everyone can experience feelings of self-doubt or criticism about their self-worth from time to time, yet there are populations that can be more at risk for developing unhealthy or low self-esteem including:
​
  • ​being the target of bullying 
  • abuse or neglect, particularly in childhood
  • young people especially during puberty
  • family history of dieting or disordered eating concerns
  • having a high level of perfectionism or high standards of oneself

​Factsheet | A Guide for Parents & Youth: Body Image & Self-Esteem

Healthy Body Image & Self-Esteem

Hopefully by now you have been able to see that body image and self-esteem go hand-in-hand.. both of these concepts can greatly impact the other in positive or negative ways.

Some ways of maintaining a healthy self-esteem can include:
  • practice positive self-talk; challenge negative self-talk
  • rather than comparing yourself to others, remind yourself of your own positive qualities and strengths
  • have support to talk about and start processing any past trauma
  • incorporate healthy coping strategies into your every day life
  • use positive affirmations especially when you are feeling vulnerable
  • hang out with positive people who care and support you
  • do things that make you feel good about yourself or your body
  • critically examine the messages your are receiving from others, and in particular in the media

Tips | Learn more ways to develop a healthy body image and self-esteem.

The way we feel about ourselves is known as self-esteem, and in this article we will explore how the way we feel about ourselves, including our body-image, can greatly impact on our emotional well-being and can have devastating mental health consequences. #bodyimage #selfesteem #mentalhealth

Share your own experience of overcoming self-esteem or body issue concerns in the comments.. what helped you to see your self-worth?

Other Mental Health Series


  • Series on Depression
  • Series on Anxiety
  • Series on Addiction
  • Series on Grief​

​References: youngwomenshealth.org, betterhealth.vic.gov, cmhaff.ca, foundrybc.ca
The way we feel about ourselves is known as self-esteem, and in this article we will explore how the way we feel about ourselves, including our body-image, can greatly impact on our emotional well-being and can have devastating mental health consequences. #bodyimage #selfesteem #mentalhealth
This article may include affiliate links that I may be compensated for with no additional cost to you. This article does not contain medical or therapeutic advice. If you, or someone you know, is concerned about your health or safety, speak with a local healthcare professional, or reach out to your local emergency service or hospital.
26 Comments
Sara | mshealthesteem.com link
7/14/2018 07:50:46 pm

I love your wonderful advice on how to work on self-esteem and self love!

Positive self talk can be so strange and difficult at first but it has such a beautiful and powerful impact. It's worth it to work on it every day :). Thanks for sharing your goodness hun ♡

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 04:47:31 pm

You're so right that it can feel a bit awkward to use self-talk as a tool to boost self-esteem and self-love.. but once you get the hang of it, so many positive changes can take place!

Reply
V at LoveBecomesHer link
7/16/2018 04:49:48 pm

“are the words that you would use to describe who you are to someone else the same words you use to describe yourself and how you feel about yourself in your own head?”

☝🏾 LOVED this point, oh my goodness.

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 04:47:59 pm

I'm so glad this part of the article resonated with you!

Reply
Meg
7/17/2018 03:50:59 am

Heather! This is fascinating. I just had a conversation like this with a friend after watching the french movie "I'm not an easy man" about what if gender roles were switched and extreme. We were talking about self esteem and self inflicted victimization. We allow people or the opposite gender to have dominion over us. A lot of what we accept is not solid but simply placed there by our own beliefs. We have so much more control than we realize.

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 04:49:21 pm

Ah that sounds like both an interesting movie AND conversation! It's great to hear that your conclusion was that we can actually control a lot more and create our own beliefs. Such important knowledge to have!

Reply
Shirley
7/17/2018 04:17:36 am

This post is well researched and informative. As a high school teacher, I see many instances of low self esteem stemming from multiple sources. I'll be sure to save this post so I can refer back to it once school starts again.

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 04:50:36 pm

Hi Shirley! I can imagine you would see many young people struggling with self-esteem issues during your career as a teacher. I'm glad this article can be a good reference for you!

Reply
Miranda
7/17/2018 07:16:46 am

Great article, love the advice on how to work on improving your self esteem.

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 04:51:21 pm

Thanks for stopping by the blog, Miranda! I'm glad you found some great tips on improving self-esteem in this article.

Reply
Love, Sawyer link
7/17/2018 10:35:35 am

Such great advice! Body image and low self esteem are such big issues in this day and age, unfortunately without easy fixes. I really liked your point about how we present ourselves to others and how we actually feel about ourselves

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 04:53:54 pm

I'm glad you found the information in this article helpful! And you're so right that improving the way we think and feel about ourselves can take a long time to change.. but getting started can be the beginning of some really positive changes for a person.

Reply
Tif
7/17/2018 10:55:36 am

This is beautiful advice. I know I struggle with body imagine issues and self esteem. But I also know it has a lot to do with eating. When I eat better I feel better & vice versa. But I’m an emotional eater 😫 so I need to get my emotions under wrap first before I start feeling better. Hopefully soon!

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 04:57:34 pm

Struggling with body image and self-esteem issues can be quite common but also really tough to experience! I wonder if you might consider reaching out for some more support so you're not going through this alone?

Reply
Melitta Campbell Business Coach link
7/17/2018 11:08:21 am

Great article thanks.

Great tips for maintaining a healthy self-esteem too. It's so important to maintain positivity, it affects so much of your quality of life and well-being.

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 04:59:40 pm

I'm glad you agree, Melitta.. thanks for stopping by the blog!

Reply
Laura-Lee Bowers link
7/17/2018 07:08:20 pm

Wow. You know, I had no idea how much self esteem was linked to taking risks until I started my own business. As confident as I seemed, every one of my insecurities came raging forward when I decided to really put myself out there. It's a nice reminder to note that *this is a thing*! And I'm down with your tips <3. Thanks fo this article.

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 05:02:08 pm

Yes, you're so right, Laura-Lee! Taking risks or trying something new can bring up a lot of insecurities for a person. I shared more about this from a blogging point of view in this post if you're interested:

www.heatherleguilloux.ca/blog/stress-from-blogging-5-ways-to-feel-better

Reply
Kasia link
7/18/2018 12:35:37 pm

These are such good tips. I do find myself talking down to myself sometimes. It's something I need to work on.

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 05:10:44 pm

Hi Kasia! It can be a process to remember to talk more positive about yourself and your abilities, but you mind find it can make a difference with how you feel overall.

Reply
Nicole link
7/18/2018 01:57:35 pm

I always love your advice. I have been known to slip down the negative body image rabbit hole many times after I have had kids. My body just isn't what it was. I love your tips to help maintain a healthy body image and therefore self esteem. Pinning this for the next time I start down that path <3

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 05:11:46 pm

Hi Nicole! I am glad this article has been a helpful reminder for you to be kind to yourself and work towards maintaining this healthy view of yourself and your body. All the best!

Reply
Brittany link
7/18/2018 11:26:41 pm

I really like your explanation of Self Esteem!

Especially good for teens who are still discovering who they are as a person!

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
7/25/2018 05:19:11 pm

Hi Brittany, I'm glad you enjoyed the definitely of self-esteem in this article. And that's a very good point about the important of young people discovering who they are and building their self-worth. I talk more about this in the following article in this series if you wanted to check it out. :)

www.heatherleguilloux.ca/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-youth-eating-disorders

Reply
Debrah link
7/29/2018 12:08:07 am

I was reminded of so much of my life as a young person, as I was reading your post Heather. Great suggestions all. The only problem with some of them, is that when you're bogged down in that self-esteem basement level, it's really hard to care enough about yourself to make those efforts. I don't know what the answer is in that situation. Anyway, great post, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Reply
Heather LeGuilloux link
3/8/2020 01:43:23 pm

Hi Debrah, thanks for your comment. It can for sure be tough to reach out for support or make changes when self-esteem is at an all time low, but it can be important to know there is help available and change can happen. Thanks for visiting the blog!

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