Writing is One of the Secrets of Improving Body Image
Writing is creative and fulfilling, and it’s also a great way to boost body image, according to a recent article from the Times of India. If you don’t love the look of your body, you’re not alone. According to the Scroll, one-quarter of teen girls in India have eating disorders. Adults are susceptible to these disorders, too. To help you improve your body image, let’s look at why writing works.
Why Is Writing So Effective?
The author of “Beauty Sick”, Renee Engeln, Ph.D., did tests to see how writing exercises impacted the body confidence of college-age females. According to Engeln, women who spent only fifteen minutes writing (and then re-reading) letters to themselves, which were centered on self-compassion, showed higher levels of body satisfaction afterwards. The increases in body satisfaction levels were significant, although perhaps not permanent. Writing your own letter to yourself may be the fastest way to enjoy a sense of self-confidence that promotes general wellness.
How to Write Your Own Letter
If you want the same benefits as the test participants, you should focus on writing a simple “self-compassion” letter to your body. Write down the ways that you appreciate your body’s functions and the way that these functions make your life easier or more enjoyable. According to the Sameerkamat.com website, you do not need formal writing training to be an exceptional writer. Good writing comes from the heart.
After you write the letter, sit and read it a few times. Revel in the sense of gratitude that you have for your own body, which you may not have taken the time to contemplate in the past. Your body’s strength, endurance, and power are the motor for so many wonderful life experiences, from a fun game of tennis to a nature hike to a night of dancing. Now, let’s talk about some other sensible ways to like your body more.
More Ways to Improve Body Image
Writing a letter to yourself is a good first step. If you still have body issues afterwards, it may be time to make lifestyle changes that change the look of your body, so that it’s a bit closer to your ideal. One sensible option, according to the Times of India, is cutting most carbs from your diet. While all people with body issues aren’t overweight, many do wish that they were thinner. Cutting carbs tends to work fast. Lastly, if you really hate an area of your body, don’t shy away from the idea of plastic surgery. It does come with risks, but it’s safer than ever before, and a skilled and experienced professional will be able to surgically alter what you don’t like.
You Deserve to Love Yourself
Bollywood actress, Richa Chadha, opened up about her own struggles with the eating disorder, bulimia. Women (and men) from all walks of life are at risk of poor body image which may set the stage for eating disorders. You deserve to love yourself, and writing a letter to yourself and taking good care of your body will be the best ways to feel comfortable in your own skin.
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I seriously need to do this. Body image issues really makes me avoid taking my own pictures. Though I realise, I could never get back to what I was 20 years ago, it definitely affects my confidence at the workplace.
Of course, Lata, none of us remain the same as years go by. But I believe, appreciating what we have now does wonders. I do hope you write that letter to yourself and end up clicking your pictures with abandon. You’re beautiful. ❤
This is so interesting.I feel writing is the most easily therapeutic habit that I am practicing for the last 3 years. There really is no side effect.
Thanks, Amrita. We’re blessed to be able to make the most out of writing. I really wish more people could tap into the benefits of doing so.
Your post is more relevant in today’s times, Vinodini. With social media, there seems to be more pressure to look a certain way, and many women are so dissatisfied with their looks.
I know writing has helped me immensely with my self image.
I agree Corinne, social media has a big hand in developing complexes within many people of both genders. Writing has helped me as well in the lowest phases of my life and I strongly believe it can help people who do not have a flair for writing too.
I so need to write a letter to myself! Life took it’s toll and nowadays I resemble a bag of bones , and dislike what I see when I peep into the mirror.
Thanks for this post, V!
Will do a letter post for myself soon! ❤❤
I look forward to reading that post if you wish to share it, Shilpa. I’ve never noticed the bag of bones that you refer yourself to. I’ve always seen a caring and nurturing pet lover who is beautiful inside out. I do hope you get to see that side of yourself in the mirror.☺❤
This is so very relevant these days. With the twins on the verge of their teens I find them standing on the weighing machine often and asking me if they’re ‘fat’. And that is so very sad because no one, definitely not a child, needs to start worrying about their looks and or find himself/herself not beautiful. That letter idea was fabulous.
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Thanks. Tulika. Children, these days are so conscious about their looks. It’s really sad that they should be burdened by living up to the petty preconceived ideas that society has conjured up in the name of beauty.
Body image is an issue with so many of us. This concept of writing a letter to self is so good. I guess it helps us accept ourselves. We all need that.
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The letter can help us feel grateful for what we have as against focusing on what we don’t. Gratitude is magical and I am sure a lot of us can benefit from it.
What an awesome idea- writing letter to your own body! Such introspection to come from it for sure. antastic write up Vinodini!
In todays socal media age; body shaming is a huge issue; more than before! So this article makes so much sense and I wish more peeps would read it to avoid allthe harm they do to their self esteem and ultimately to themselves over body issues!
Thanks, Shalini. I’m glad you liked the idea. Writing a letter to yourself can indeed be a very fulfilling activity.