Body image is how you feel about how you look. Your body image affects how you see yourself overall as a person. Self-esteem is how you see your personality, abilities, potential, values and interests.

It is also important in how you relate to others. Many cancer survivors are upset or angry at the way that cancer treatment has changed their bodies. Some people gain or lose weight. You may have had surgery to remove a part of your body, and you may have scars or a stoma.

Some people may have problems eating, swallowing or speaking. Or you may still have a lot of fatigue and memory problems. Any change can be hard to accept and can affect your body image and self-esteem.

This can make you angry, upset or sad. For some changes, like hair loss from chemotherapy, it can help to remember that they are temporary. But it can take more time to adjust to other changes, such as loss of a body part or surgical scars. Over time, as you learn to cope with and accept them, the changes may just become part of everyday life.

Some people even come to see the changes as signs of strength and survival. Some people take longer or struggle harder to come to terms with these changes. Sometimes, negative feelings about your changed body can affect your quality of life.

You avoid touching, being affectionate or having sex with your partner. You feel ashamed for having cancer. But these are very common, real concerns. Keeping your feelings to yourself can stop you from doing the things you enjoy or getting help.

It can help to talk about your feelings with someone you trust, like your partner, a close friend or a counsellor. Many people find that talking to other survivors, either one-on-one or in a support group in person or online is very helpful.

Your healthcare team can explain other options that could help with your body image. Surgery to reduce scars or rebuild the tissues that were removed can help with how you look or how your body works. Your self-esteem has a direct effect on how you take care of yourself, emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Someone with a healthy body image feels good in their skin and feels good about their body. It is common for people, especially teens, to experience body image dissatisfaction, which is often driven by dangerous and unrealistic cultural ideas of slimness.

Having a poor body image is highly related to low self-esteem and, in some situations, can lead to disordered eating behaviours.

Weight-loss practices can have a negative effect on mental and emotional well-being and, in more extreme situations, can lead to nutritional deficiencies or harm physical development.

A positive body image is associated with better self-esteem , self-acceptance and healthy lifestyle behaviours, including a balanced approach to food and physical activity.

Body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures. Recent research suggests that 80 per cent of Australian women are dissatisfied with their bodies to some degree. Research also shows that, after moving to Australia, some women from other countries take on body image and diet habits that are not common in their country of origin.

A negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as dieting or restrictive eating, over-exercising and other disordered eating or weight control behaviours.

Dieting is a significant risk factor for developing an eating disorder. While dieting is normalised in society, it is not normal or healthy, and can lead to serious physical health complications.

Dieting is also not effective in the longer term, with many people who lose weight from dieting regaining the weight over time. Ultimately, dieting is not effective or sustainable and can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and eating.

Feeling self-conscious or uncomfortable with appearance, body size or shape can lead to women and girls reducing or avoiding physical activity engagement. This could be associated with the feeling that being active or engaging in particular activities exposes their body to the public eye.

Alternatively, woman and girls may engage in excessive or compulsive exercise to change their body weight, size or shape. A healthy relationship with physical activity means engaging in regular physical activity that is focused on maintaining or improving physical fitness, and that is also fun and enjoyable.

Your body image develops and changes over the course of your life, so the process of shifting a negative body image can take time and effort.

Suggestions for improving your body image include:. If you feel dissatisfied or unhappy with your body, that your body image gets in the way of being able to live your life and do the things you would like to, or you are engaging in restrictive eating or other unhealthy eating or exercise behaviours, then seeking professional help is important.

Psychologists, dietitians and other health professionals trained in body image and eating disorders can assist you to improve your body image and relationship with food and physical activity. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:.

Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Healthy mind. Home Healthy mind. Body image - women.

Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. About body image Body image and health behaviours Contributors of negative body image Improving your body image Where to get help.

About body image Your body image is how you perceive, think and feel about your body. Body image and health behaviours A negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as dieting or restrictive eating, over-exercising and other disordered eating or weight control behaviours.

Improving your body image Your body image develops and changes over the course of your life, so the process of shifting a negative body image can take time and effort. You will also probably maintain realistic expectations while treating yourself well, which can lead to increased self-esteem.

In addition, people with more self-esteem tend to have a realistic view of their shortcomings and strengths, allowing them to get the mental clarity necessary to succeed at work, school, or relationships.

Working with a therapist can help you apply these ideas in your life in such a way that works best for you. It may be daunting preparing for your first therapy appointment, but it's worth the effort. In combination with healthy daily habits, therapy can positively impact your physical health too, so there's even more reason to give it a try.

Moreover, it doesn't matter where you are or when you need therapy; there are various ways to get into treatment.

For instance, BetterHelp online therapy brings your therapist to the comfort of your home. However, if that's not quite your style, in-person sessions might be your best bet.

A negative body image can stem from a variety of issues ranging from unrealistic expectations to body dysmorphia. Overall, having a negative body image can damage your self-esteem and can lead to depression or other mental health conditions.

Notably, a positive attitude is key. Negative thinking can negatively impact both physical and mental health.

Though the signs of a negative body image are not always easy to identify, there are some ways you can tell if someone is struggling. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it might be time to take action:. If you notice any of these, it's time to work on the root of the issue.

Negative thoughts and actions can have a detrimental impact on your mental and physical health and, consequently, on your relationships. This might result in intimacy issues that require medication to help you regain comfort and confidence in being intimate with your partner.

For some, it might be challenging to talk about these problems on your own. However, with the help of a good counselor, you can overcome negative thoughts and behaviors. Negative thoughts and behaviors can negatively impact your health in both the short and long term.

If you want to live a happy life free of anxiety, depression, or intimacy issues, then seek the help you deserve sooner than later.

Everyone deserves to live a happy life. No spam! Your privacy is important to us. Copyright © Innerbody Research - All Rights Reserved. Innerbody Research does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You must consult your own medical professional.

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Our bodies are diverse and no one body shape or size is a healthy or right one for everyone. Even if everyone ate the same food and did the same amount of exercise for a whole year, no one would look the same at the end of that year. Recognize that beauty, health and strength come in all sizes, and feel comfortable and confident in your natural body shape.

How Do I Know If I have…Negative Body Image? You focus on your weight and perceived flaws in your body size and shape. You feel uncomfortable and self-conscious about your body.

When you see yourself in a mirror or in your mind, you look at yourself as a whole person, not a collection of specific body parts. You accept and celebrate the uniqueness of your natural body shape and size. You feel comfortable and confident in your body, and refuse to spend time worrying about food, weight and counting calories.

You know that real beauty is not just skin-deep. When you feel good about yourself and who you are, you stand taller and carry yourself with a sense of confidence and self-acceptance that makes you beautiful and attractive regardless of your weight, size or shape.

Beauty is confidence and attitude, and when you feel comfortable in your body, others will feel comfortable around you. What Can I Do? Treat your body with respect.

Eat balanced meals full of a variety of appealing nutritious foods. Enjoy regular, moderate exercise for the joy of feeling your body move and grow stronger, not just simply to lose weight, burn calories, and control your body fat.

Alternatively, woman and girls may engage in excessive or compulsive exercise to change their body weight, size or shape. A healthy relationship with physical activity means engaging in regular physical activity that is focused on maintaining or improving physical fitness, and that is also fun and enjoyable.

Your body image develops and changes over the course of your life, so the process of shifting a negative body image can take time and effort. Suggestions for improving your body image include:.

If you feel dissatisfied or unhappy with your body, that your body image gets in the way of being able to live your life and do the things you would like to, or you are engaging in restrictive eating or other unhealthy eating or exercise behaviours, then seeking professional help is important.

Psychologists, dietitians and other health professionals trained in body image and eating disorders can assist you to improve your body image and relationship with food and physical activity. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only.

Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.

The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website.

All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances.

The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Skip to main content. Healthy mind. Home Healthy mind. Body image - women. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet.

On this page. About body image Body image and health behaviours Contributors of negative body image Improving your body image Where to get help. About body image Your body image is how you perceive, think and feel about your body. Body image and health behaviours A negative body image increases the risk of engaging in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, such as dieting or restrictive eating, over-exercising and other disordered eating or weight control behaviours.

Improving your body image Your body image develops and changes over the course of your life, so the process of shifting a negative body image can take time and effort. Suggestions for improving your body image include: Reflect on your experiences and try to unravel the development of your body image over the course of your life.

Access information about body image and strategies to support you to feel better about your body. Talk about your feelings and experiences with other women and girls who have similar concerns and who you feel safe with. Make a pact with yourself to treat your body with respect — this could include giving your body enough food and rest.

Avoid negative body talk about your own body and the bodies of others. Instead, focus on what you appreciate about your body — what your body can do rather than how it looks. Celebrate the positive qualities, skills and interests that you have as a person, rather than focusing on appearance-related qualities.

Give yourself a break from social media and other forms of media where you are noticing appearance-focused messages and images. Filter your social media feed so you can avoid interacting with these messages and images. Try to focus on eating a wide variety of foods for nourishment and enjoyment, and try to be flexible with your eating.

Try to focus on the benefits of physical activity for physical, mental and social health, rather than for changing body size, weight or shape.

You avoid touching, being affectionate or having sex with your partner. You feel ashamed for having cancer. But these are very common, real concerns. Keeping your feelings to yourself can stop you from doing the things you enjoy or getting help. It can help to talk about your feelings with someone you trust, like your partner, a close friend or a counsellor.

Many people find that talking to other survivors, either one-on-one or in a support group in person or online is very helpful. Your healthcare team can explain other options that could help with your body image.

Surgery to reduce scars or rebuild the tissues that were removed can help with how you look or how your body works. You may be able to use a prosthesis that replaces the part of your body that was removed. The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor.

The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health. We do our best to make sure that the information we provide is accurate and reliable but cannot guarantee that it is error-free or complete.

The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.

ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy. Home Living with cancer Coping with changes Your emotions and cancer Coping with body-image and self-esteem Print. Coping with body image and self-esteem worries. See topics Coping with changes Newly diagnosed Your emotions and cancer Talking about cancer Family life Working with your healthcare team Daily life during treatment Quality of life Palliative care Feeling your best Finances Work Travel Planning for the future Sex and intimacy Spirituality.

Coping with changes Newly diagnosed Your emotions and cancer Talking about cancer Family life Working with your healthcare team Daily life during treatment Quality of life Palliative care Feeling your best Finances Work Travel Planning for the future Sex and intimacy Spirituality.

Body image and self-esteem are closely linked. Be patient with yourself. Signs that you may need help coping. References Macmillan Cancer Support. How Body Image Concerns May Affect You. html MacMillan Cancer Support.

Start caring for yourself with these tips:. Sometimes, body image or self-esteem problems are too much to handle alone. Health issues, depression , or trauma can affect how you feel about yourself.

Ask for help. Body image and self-esteem can get better with help and care. KidsHealth For Teens Body Image and Self-Esteem. en español: Imagen corporal y autoestima.

Medically reviewed by: Beth C. Long, PsyD. Psychology Behavioral Health at Nemours Children's Health. Listen Play Stop Volume mp3 Settings Close Player.

Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Does Body Image Mean? How Can I Accept the Way I Look? Everyone has "flaws," even people with seemingly ideal figures.

So see your body the way it is rather than the way you want it to be. When you make harsh comments about your own body, it harms your self-esteem. It can hurt as much as if someone else said it. So be kind and respectful to yourself. Accept compliments. How Can I Like My Body? Every time you look in the mirror, find at least two things you like about yourself.

Maybe your hair, face, or hands. What about your shape, shoulders, or legs? Your eyes or smile? Make a habit of telling yourself what you like and why. If you get stuck, ask someone who cares about you, like a good friend or trusted adult. Let yourself feel good.

Focus on what your body can do. Your body is there for you when you stretch, reach, climb, or jump for joy. It also allows you to you carry and build things, and give someone a hug. Be amazed and thankful. Be aware of your body.

Pay attention to your body as you go through the day. Enjoy the way it feels when you walk, run, and play. Listen to it when it needs food or rest.