5 Ways to Improve Body Confidence
Body image can have a huge impact on how we feel about ourselves, and for many teens, it’s not always easy to love the way they look. If you or someone you know is struggling with body confidence, AMAZE has a video for that! In this video, we’ll break down what body image means and share simple, practical ways to improve how you feel about your body. Learn how to stop negative self-talk, embrace your unique qualities, and practice self-care. Whether you’re dealing with body comparison or just need some tips to build a healthy relationship with yourself, this video will guide you through the journey to body positivity. Your body is amazing just the way it is, and we’re here to remind you of that! [AMZ-013]
Youth
During puberty your body goes through a lot of changes. Sometimes this can be overwhelming, and you may notice that you don’t like everything about the way you look all of the time. How you feel about your body is referred to as your body image. Your family, friends and images you see on TV, online and in movies and magazines can also influence how you feel about your body. People of all genders can have positive or negative feelings about different aspects of their bodies. It’s important to know that many of the images we see online, on TV and in magazines are not real. They are created by using computer programs like Photoshop to make a person look more like certain ideal images of beauty, but are unattainable in real life. It is important to remember that everyone is different and that is what makes us all unique!
Additional Resources
Parents
Body image refers to people’s perceptions of, attitudes toward and feelings about their bodies. An individual’s body image is shaped by how their physical features compare with their understanding of ideal images of beauty and attractiveness prevalent in their culture and community. People of all genders can have positive or negative feelings about different aspects of their bodies, including their height, weight, hair and pretty much any other part of their body.
Many young people feel great pressure to have their bodies or specific body parts look a certain way; don’t underestimate how much pressure young people feel and how much self-loathing exists. Young people need help understanding that the images of beauty we see online, on TV and in magazines and movies are not real. It’s impossible for anyone to live up to these images that require teams of people to create and manipulate into idealized standards of beauty.
Educators
Body image refers to people’s perceptions of, attitudes toward and feelings about their bodies. An individual’s body image is shaped by how their physical features compare with their understanding of ideal images of beauty and attractiveness prevalent in their culture and community. People of all genders can have positive or negative feelings about different aspects of their bodies, including their height, weight, hair and pretty much any other part of their body.
Many young people feel great pressure to have their bodies or specific body parts look a certain way; don’t underestimate how much pressure young people feel and how much self-loathing exists. Young people need help understanding that the images of beauty we see online, on TV and in magazines and movies are not real. It’s impossible for anyone to live up to these images that require teams of people to create and manipulate into idealized standards of beauty.
National Sex Education Standards
Explain the impact that media, including sexually explicit media, can have on one’s body image and self-esteem
Analyze the potentially positive and negative roles of technology and social media on one’s sense of self and within relationships
Analyze how peers, media, family, society, culture, and a person’s intersecting identities can influence self-concept, body image, and self-esteem
