Let's talk about body image. Not the Instagram filtered version, not the hot girl summer

pressure or the Jim Bro hype. I mean the real, raw, internal experience we have when we see

ourselves, whether it's in a mirror or photo or just in our minds.

Because body image isn't about vanity. It's about identity, self-worth, and how we navigate a world

full of messages about what we should look like. As a psychologist, I see every day how body image impacts mental health, self-esteem,

relationships, and even career choices.

And yes, while it's often talked about in relationship to women,

body image affects everyone.

Men, women, non-binary folks, people of every size, shade, and story. Let's break it down. What is body image? What influences it? And most importantly,

how do we heal it?

Welcome back to savvy psychologist.

I'm your host, Dr. Monica Johnson.

Every week on the show, I'll help you face life challenges with evidence-based approaches,

a sympathetic ear, and zero judgment.

So what is body image really? Body image isn't just about how you look. It's how you think and feel about how you look. According to Cash and Prusensky research, body image has

four key components. Perceptual? How you see your body. So do you see yourself accurately or

distorted? Cognitive, what you think about your body. Am I too big, too small, not attractive?

Effective, how you feel about your body. So am I ashamed, proud,

insecure? And then lastly, behavioral, how you act because of your body image. Are you avoiding

mirrors, over exercising, or wearing baggy clothes?

In other words, body image is a complex psychological experience that shaped how we move through

the world.

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